MEET THE 2023 FINALISTS
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is thrilled to announce the finalists selected to interview for 2023 National Teacher of the Year. This group of exemplary teachers is:
- Harlee Harvey, the 2023 Alaska Teacher of the Year, is a first-grade teacher who works to authentically integrate the local Alaska Native Iñupiaq culture and knowledge systems into her lessons.
- Carolyn Kielma, the 2023 Connecticut Teacher of the Year, is a high school science teacher who provides a trusted adult ear for students who need help, and who creates an inclusive environment where all students feel valued, accepted and treated with equity.
- Jermar Rountree, the 2023 District of Columbia Teacher of the Year, is a preschool through 8th grade physical education and health teacher who emphasizes the importance of teaching mental health along with physical wellness and believes in the importance of involving family and community in all aspects of schooling.
- Kimberly Radostits, the 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year, is a secondary Spanish teacher. She leads a mentoring program for students, utilizing an early warning system to identify struggling students and ensure they’re on track to graduate in four years. She also co-directs a New Teacher Academy for all new hires to the district.
- Rebecka Peterson, the 2023 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, is a high school math teacher who is passionate about making math exciting, relevant and accessible to all. She emphasizes listening to stories and helps administer the “One Good Thing” blog, which has chronicled positive stories from her classroom.
CCSSO’s National Teacher of the Year Program identifies exceptional educators across the country, celebrates their work in and outside the classroom and offers them a one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity. The 2023 cohort includes 55 educators. From that group, the National Teacher of the Year selection committee, which includes representatives from 16 education organizations, selects a group of finalists based on a robust application process.
The finalists will interview with the National Teacher of the Year Program’s selection committee, and CCSSO will announce the 2023 National Teacher of the Year later this spring.
Special thanks to the National Teacher of the Year Program sponsors: Google for Education, Equitable, Pearson, Cambium Assessment, Cognia, Curriculum Associates, Data Recognition Corporation, ETS, GoGuardian, MetaMetrics, NWEA, Smarter Balanced and Voya.