Latest news with #2025TeacheroftheYear
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Farmington educator named Goddard Teacher of the Year
FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — The Goddard School named a Farmington educator a 2025 Teacher of the Year, among 15 others across the country. Bria Sanders, a preschool teacher from the Goddard School of Farmington, was recognized for exemplifying excellence and leadership. New Haven teachers move into rent-free housing 'It is an incredible honor to be named a 2025 Goddard School Teacher of the Year regional finalist and I'm so grateful to those who nominated me,' Sanders said in a written statement. 'Watching the development of my students motivates me every day and is a constant source of inspiration. I'm honored to play a part in their educational journeys.' More than 4,300 teachers were nominated across The Goddard School's 640 locations. Sanders was given a $1,000 cash prize, Goddard merchandise, a framed certificate and a one-year subscription to the ChildCare Education Institute. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Monocacy Elementary students cheer for FCPS Teacher of the Year
On Tuesday morning, ALonna Soward, a fourth grade teacher at Monocacy Elementary School, headed to what she believed would be a meeting with Troy Barnes, the school's principal. Fourth and fifth grade students were led to a decorated cafeteria adorned with blue and green balloons — the elementary school's colors. The students readied themselves to surprise Soward with the 2025-26 Frederick County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award. Fourth and fifth graders gathered at the cafeteria's tables while school system officials, community partners and Soward's family sat in rows across the stage. Soward descended the cafeteria's ramp, and her eyes immediately landed on her students. As she began to realize what was happening, the cafeteria erupted in claps and cheers. 2025-26 FCPS Teacher of the Year Surprise ALonna Soward, the 2025-26 FCPS Teacher of the Year, is surprised by fourth and fifth grade students at Monocacy Elementary School on Tuesday. As she walked into the silent room, the students erupted in cheers. Soward said in an interview after the celebration that she "wasn't even thinking" there would be a surprise for her in the cafeteria. "It just goes to show how our Monocacy family really cares and extends past just the school," she said. "To reach out to my family and my husband, that was super exciting." Once Soward was seated on stage with her family, FCPS Superintendent Cheryl Dyson said the fourth grade teacher was "fantastic," and would represent the district well at the state-level competition. Barnes also spoke at the lectern in the crowded cafeteria, and said Soward, who has taught at the school for six years, "really does represent the best of the best here at Monocacy." 2025 Teacher of the Year Students line the halls during a clap out to celebrate ALonna Soward, a fourth grade teacher at Monocacy Elementary School, center, following a surprise ceremony at the school to recognize her as the Frederick County Public Schools 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year on Tuesday. He said in an interview after the ceremony that Soward began at the elementary school as a student teacher when she was a senior at Hood College, and he's been her principal "the whole time." "I'm extremely proud of ALonna. I'm extremely proud," he said. "I've seen her really work so hard since she was a student teacher with us to becoming a teacher, so to see that growth and to see where she is now, it's just ... You're proud of her." At the ceremony, Soward was presented with a $2,000 check from Ferko Maryland Federal Credit Union; a $2,025 check from Educational Systems Federal Credit Union; a $3,000 check from Dynamic Automotive; and a collection of gift cards from businesses in downtown Frederick, including Brewer's Alley and Curious Iguana bookshop. She also spoke at the lectern. With tears in her eyes, she told her students that "you guys are why I'm here." "I love you all, and I show up to work every day because of you," Soward said. "When I'm challenging you and I'm pushing you, it's because I know that you can achieve things." She was then "clapped out" of the cafeteria by students lining the hallways all the way to the school's media center for a reception. 2025 Teacher of the Year ALonna Soward, a fourth grade teacher at Monocacy Elementary School, center, wipes a tear as Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Dyson, at the podium, speaks during a surprise ceremony at the school to recognize Soward as the Frederick County Public Schools 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year on Tuesday. Soward and her husband, Nathaniel Puryear Jr., got married on April 17 in Jamaica. Monday was Soward's first day back at school after their honeymoon. Puryear said he received a call from Barnes with the news while in Jamaica. Even though Soward heard Barnes on the phone and was a little suspicious, "if someone tells me a secret, it'll stay a secret," Puryear said. "I was like, 'Oh, no, [Barnes] just called to say congrats. He just wanted to talk to me alone and give me some wedding advice,'" Puryear said he told Soward. "I was able to play that off, and I had to think of that on the fly." Puryear said Soward is hardworking and dedicated, and it shows in how much time and care she puts into her job. "It was just great seeing someone that I love get to experience that, but also to see all the love and support that she gets, not just from coworkers, but her students as well," he said. "Just being able to watch that myself is awesome." Soward grew up in Frederick County and graduated from Frederick High School and Hood College. She said being able to represent her home school district at the state level is "really special" and "super surreal." Once all school districts in Maryland announce their representative, a panel of judges narrows the list to seven finalists. One winner is announced in October during an Annual Awards Gala. "When I decided I wanted to be a teacher ... never in my wildest dreams did I think it would lead me here," Soward said. "I'm only six years in. I have so much more work to do, and so many more kids and colleagues to collaborate with and impact. It's just very surreal." Lonna Soward, ALonna Soward's mother, said in an interview that she was honored just to be present at the celebration. "I'm just very proud of who she is and all of the hard work that she puts in," Lonna Soward said. "She loves her students. She loves what she does, and she has the passion for what she does." She added that her daughter is "a great representation" for FCPS. "She has always been a shining star in our lives, and I am just so proud of her," Lonna Soward said. "I cannot wait to see how far she is going to go." ALonna Soward said teaching students how to add and subtract fractions is important, but "the type of person they grow up to be is what matters more." "I feel like as elementary school teachers, we're that foundation. I have them for 180 days," she said. "For that 180 days, I just try to pour into them. Whether they remember me or not, I hope they remember the lessons, the life lessons."
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Muscogee County Schools chooses teacher of the year finalists
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The Muscogee County School District has chosen the top three honorees for the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation (MEEF) Teacher of the Year Program. According to a post from Muscogee County Schools, MEEF recognizes teachers who have dedicated themselves to excellence in the classroom. The finalists are: Eretha Hamilton – Double Churches Middle School Charles Repass – Jordan Vocational College and Career Academy Amanda Zarate – Wynnton Arts Academy The 2025 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a gala on Thursday, May 1st. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Semifinalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year include 3 St. Paul teachers
The Minnesota Teacher of the Year candidates have been narrowed down to 31 semifinalists, including three St. Paul teachers. John Horton, at J.J. Hill Montessori, Amanda Jagdeo at Hamline Elementary School, and Kong Vang at Washington Technology Magnet School, were among the semifinalists. Other semifinalists include Stacy Bartlett at Stillwater Area Public Schools; Ryan Collins at Mahtomedi Public Schools; Ted Erickson at Anoka-Hennepin School District; Megan Frantzen at South St. Paul Public Schools; Zoe Kourajian at Mounds View Public Schools; Katherine Norrie at Northfield Public Schools and Sean Padden and Averi Turner at Roseville Area Schools. Originally 142 candidates were nominated for the honor, a group narrowed down by an independent panel of 21 community leaders. The panel will review semifinalist portfolios and video submissions in mid-March before selecting 10 finalists. Current Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Tracy Byrd will announce the 2025 Teacher of the Year at the program's banquet on May 4 at the St. Paul RiverCentre at 175 W Kellogg Blvd. Education Minnesota is a statewide educators union that organizes the Teacher of the Year program. Candidates can be pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade, early childhood family education and adult basic education teachers from public or private schools, according to the release. Education | Teachers union sues over Trump administration's deadline to end school diversity programs Education | Immigration enforcement at schools largely unchanged under Trump, feds argue in response to DPS lawsuit Education | Bill would require Minnesota Legislature's education policymakers to see teachers in action Education | Minnesota House Republicans seek to ban transgender students from sports, locker rooms, restrooms Education | Ellison: Trump order on transgender athletes violates Minnesota law
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Just fabulous': Jacobs receives 2025 Centerville teacher award
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — An Centerville City Schools educator has been recognized by the district for her dedication with teaching. During the district's Board of Education meeting on Monday, Sarah Jacobs was named the district's '2025 Teacher of the Year.' Jacobs, a first grade teacher at Primary Village North, has been teaching in the district for 23 years. According to Jacobs, seeing students learn new things is important. 'The biggest thing is just teaching kids the love for learning,' said Jacobs. 'At this age, they already have a natural curiosity and wonder about the world. Seeing the world through six- and seven-year-olds' eyes is inspiring and exciting.' Mindy Cline, principal at Primary Village North, said watching what Jacobs can do is inspirational. 'Every decision that Sarah makes is about kids and about their families,' said Cline. 'She plans such exciting and engaging lessons. When I walk into her classroom, it is just fabulous to see the joy of student learning on all of the kids' faces.' The first grade teacher's credentials will be examined by a state panel for her chance at the 2026 Ohio Teacher of the Year. The winner of the state award will be announced in the coming months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
