Introducing the 2022 State Teachers of the Year

Excellent educators have always been the most important resources to ensure students’ success, and they stepped up in new ways throughout these last few singular years. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s teachers have worked in often extraordinary circumstances to find new and creative ways to keep students safe and healthy while accelerating learning and supporting student wellbeing.

The Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year Program has been honored to support excellent and dedicated educators for 70 years. Today CCSSO is pleased to introduce the 2022 State Teachers of the Year . These teachers represent the kind of passion and purpose that defines the best in the profession.

The 2022 cohort comprises 56 educators from across the country and U.S. territories. These educators were selected by state leaders for excellence in teaching and learning and a commitment to the profession.

The selected educators teach from pre-K through adult education, including 18 educators who teach at elementary schools, 15 who teach middle school and 20 who teach high school. One State Teacher of the Year works at a middle-high school, and two at all levels, district-wide. These educators teach in all subjects, from science (including robotics, engineering and coding) to the arts (including cultural dance, theatre and cinema). Outside the classroom, they run a teacher cadet program and work to improve literacy instruction, coach Quiz Bowl and sports teams, share free arts programming online, and sponsor clubs and student government.

The 2022 State Teachers of the Year have taught, on average, for more than 15 years.

This year’s cohort includes 55 newly selected state teachers, from 49 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and Department of Defense Education Activity. The 2021 Illinois Teacher of the Year will continue to represent the state. 

The National Teacher of the Year selection committee, made up of representatives from national education organizations, will select four finalists based on teachers’ written applications. The finalists will be announced in January 2022. The four finalists will interview with the selection committee, and CCSSO will announce the 2022 National Teacher of the Year this spring.

Check out the 2022 State Teachers of the Year!