2026
State Teacher of the Year

Sarah Dully

State/Territory:

Rhode Island

Content Area:

English and Special Education

Grade:

9-12

Biography:

Sarah Dully is an inspiring and innovative high school English and special education teacher at Narragansett High School in the small coastal town of Narragansett, Rhode Island, where she brings heart and high standards to everything she does. Now in her fifth year as a proud Mariner, Dully draws on more than a decade of experience in classrooms, having previously taught in both Boston and Providence.

Dully holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the College of the Holy Cross and a master's degree in education from Fitchburg State University, with a focus on supporting secondary students with moderate disabilities. Her classroom is a place where all students feel seen, supported and challenged, regardless of their ability or future path. Known affectionately as just "Dully," she helps students build the skills and confidence to powerfully express themselves in any setting.

A passionate advocate for inclusive learning, Dully launched Practical Literacy, a course designed for students with profound intellectual disabilities. She also co-created the popular True Crime Studies elective, exploring the literary, historical and cultural dimensions of true crime. She consistently integrates current best practices into her teaching, including Building Thinking Classrooms, and actively learns from peers through ongoing professional collaboration.

Beyond the classroom, Dully is a leader in social-emotional learning as a district RULER coordinator and a tireless champion of school culture. From co-advising the National Honor Society and leading Spirit Week to belting out hallway karaoke, she brings joy and connection to every corner of the building.

State teacher biographies were contributed by individual teachers.
Back to STOYs
Back to STOYs