25 Apr2023
By Carolyn Phenicie
AACTE is a proud member of the National Teacher of the Year Selection Committee and applauds 2023 National Teacher of the Year Rebecka Peterson’s commitment to the profession and meeting the needs of all students.
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced that Rebecka Peterson, a high school math teacher, is the 2023 National Teacher of the Year.
Peterson has taught high school math classes ranging from intermediate algebra to Advanced Placement calculus for 11 years at Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A proud immigrant of Swedish-Iranian descent, Peterson is passionate about making mathematics engaging, relevant and accessible to all students, no matter their background.
31 Jan2023
By Carolyn Phenicie
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has announced five exemplary educators from across the country as finalists for 2023 National Teacher of the Year, four of whom have been prepared for teacher education by AACTE member institutions.
AACTE is a proud member of the National Teacher of the Year Selection Committee and applauds each finalist for their commitment to the profession and meeting the needs of all students, as well as the AACTE member institutions that have contributed to their success.
18 Apr2022
By Carolyn Phenicie
AACTE congratulates Kurt Russell, an alumnus of AACTE member institution the College of Wooster.
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) today announced that Kurt Russell, a veteran high school history teacher, is the 2022 National Teacher of the Year.
Russell, currently in his 25th year in the classroom, teaches at Oberlin High School in Oberlin, Ohio, where he was born and raised. Inspired to become an educator by his first Black male teacher, Russell works to emphasize cultural relevance and diverse representation in the curriculum of classes he teaches, including African American history; U.S. history; International Baccalaureate History of the Americas; and Race, Gender and Oppression.
Russell is also the school’s head varsity basketball coach. He sees basketball as an extension of the classroom and a place to teach life lessons on adversity and success. Additionally, Russell is the faculty advisor to a student-led Black Student Union, whose work has led to positive impacts for students across racial groups.
01 Feb2021
By Carolyn Phenicie
AACTE congratulates the four National Teacher of the Year finalists, all of whom have earned a degree from an AACTE member institution. To view their full profiles, visit the CCSSO website.
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced that four exemplary educators from across the country are finalists for 2021 National Teacher of the Year:
