Reflection: National Teacher of the Year State Dinner
On May 2, 2024, the inaugural National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) State Dinner was held at the White House. The event welcomed National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Missy Testerman from Tennessee, state teachers of the year, members of the NTOY selection committee, sponsors, and esteemed guests to honor Testerman as well as celebrate the work of the state teachers of the year in camaraderie.
The event, hosted by First Lady Jill Biden, Ed.D., made history as it was the first time being held at the White House, with distinguished guests Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Secretary of Health & Human Services Xavier Becerra, with a special appearance from President Joe Biden, who addressed the audience with celebratory remarks for the state teachers of the year in attendance, “Teaching is not what you do, but who you are. I realize how hard you all work every day. I just want to say how much I appreciate all you do.”
I had the opportunity to represent AACTE, one of 16 organizations that serve on the national selection committee for NTOY. The program is facilitated by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) who believe that we “must create a more equitable education system that gives each student access to the educational resources and rigor they need, at the right moment in their education, across race, gender, ethnicity, language, disability, sexual orientation, family background, or family income.” CCSSO works with AACTE, among other organizations, to achieve this vision. Aligned with CCSSO, AACTE believes that our National Teacher of the Year should value the role educator preparation programs play in preparing tomorrow’s teachers to meet the needs of all students. Testerman, as Tennessee’s state teacher of the year, forged partnerships with East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee to encourage pre-service teachers and give authentic feedback to university leaders about their educator preparation programs.
Testerman first served as a first and second-grade teacher at Rogersville City School in Tennessee for three decades before taking advantage of the state’s Grow-Your-Own initiative and adding an English as a Second Language (ESL). Now, she works as an ESL specialist instructing K-8 students. In her rural Appalachian community, Testerman builds bridges between two cultures: families who have been in the area for centuries and newer immigrants. The bridge is built through a curriculum focused on a study of Americans from diverse backgrounds, allowing students to better understand that people are inherently the same and that they all belong.
Testerman believes strongly in teachers embracing their roles as education experts to inform decision-makers of today’s classroom experiences to meet the needs of all students.
“Make no mistake: Loving and caring for our students is important, but it is not enough. If we love them, we must teach them in a way that gives them the skills they need and allows them to meet high expectations and have a future. Teachers know and understand this,” Testerman said.
“We [teachers] make democracy possible. We also make all professions, every single one of them, possible.” Testerman said. “Teachers are the ultimate facilitators of justice, fairness, equity and democracy.”
The National Selection Committee released the following statement about Testerman:
“With a rallying call to action for her fellow teachers, Missy’s message of advocating for inclusivity and success for all students meets the moment we’re in as a country. We believe her knowledge of both the issues and the people involved in education policy and practice will lead to better outcomes for students, and we know Missy’s voice will resonate with every teacher she meets as she serves as the 2024 National Teacher of the Year.”
Looking back on the State Dinner, I am optimistic as educators continue to rise from their classrooms and communities, empowered with voices of hope and unafraid to call out injustice and inequity. It is through an educator’s passion and steadfast belief in the transformative power of education that we can truly entrust our future to these capable hands.
Tags: AACTE partner organizations, advocacy
