Washington, D.C. (October 18, 2021) – Nearly 100 State Teachers of the Year visited the White House today for an event in their honor hosted by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
The event, honoring 2020 National Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy, 2021 National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey, and the 2020 and 2021 State Teachers of the Year, was part of the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year Program Washington Week, a recognition and celebration of these educators at a national level.
Teachers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity and four territories attended the White House event. The First Lady, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, 2020 National Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy and 2021 National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey addressed the teachers.
The National Teacher of the Year Program, run by CCSSO, has been the most prestigious teacher recognition program in the country since its inception in 1952. In addition to supporting the National Teacher of the Year during his or her year of service, CCSSO’s National Teacher of the Year Program engages exceptional educators across the country in a year of professional learning, amplifies their voices, and empowers them to participate in policy discussions at the state and national levels. “America’s teachers have supported students with dedication, creativity and patience through the unprecedented interruption to education during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Carissa Moffat Miller, chief executive officer of CCSSO. “We’re proud to recognize the outstanding 2020 and 2021 State and National Teachers of the Year, and we thank Dr. Biden and the White House for hosting such a special event in their honor.”
In addition to the White House ceremony, events this week include visits with U.S. Department of Education officials and members of Congress, the National Teacher of the Year Program Recognition Gala, visits and educational opportunities at Smithsonian museums, and professional learning experiences around policy, advocacy, equity and leadership.
Usually held each spring, the 2020 and 2021 Washington Week celebrations were delayed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. CCSSO is striving to take necessary health and safety precautions to ensure participating teachers and guests remain safe throughout the Washington Week events, including adherence to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as local D.C. government.
For more information on the National Teacher of the Year Program, please visit ntoy.ccsso.org.
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The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, Bureau of Indian Education, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.
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