Today, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) hosted its Seventh Annual DC Educator Awards to celebrate the District of Columbia’s best teachers and thank them for their leadership in their school communities and dedication to the students they serve.
“The District of Columbia is fortunate to have excellent educators in classrooms across the city, at every grade level, who have dedicated their professional lives to ensuring the success of generations of DC students,” said State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant. “The DC Educator Awards gives us a chance to show our sincere appreciation for outstanding teachers, to hear their stories, and learn how they transform a passion for education into better outcomes for learners at all levels. Congratulations to all our award-winning DC educators, and thank you to all DC teachers for everything you do for students and families.”
Hosted by OSSE and held at the Kellogg Conference Hotel on the Gallaudet University campus in Northeast DC, the Gold Standard of Excellence awards ceremony included a formal reception with music performed by the School Without Walls Jazz Ensemble and a program that included Mistress of Ceremonies and WPGC and Fox5 personality Poet Taylor, along with McKinley Technology High School Senior Genesis Harris, as well as a choir performance by students from Center City Public Charter Schools’ Brightwood campus.
During the event, OSSE honored the 2023 DC Teacher of the Year and finalists; the 2022 DC History Teacher of the Year; the 2021 Milken Educator Award winner; and the state finalists for the 2022 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). OSSE also honored three DC schools named as 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools and recognized its Superintendent’s Principal Advisory Council and Teacher Advisory Council for their outstanding service.
DC Educator Award Winners
- Jermar Rountree, 2023 DC Teacher of the Year Winner and National Teacher of the Year Finalist, Center City PCS - Brightwood
- Alex Clark, 2023 DC Teacher of the Year Runner Up, Dunbar High School
- Brandyn Poole, 2023 DC Teacher of the Year Runner Up, Center City PCS - Trinidad
- Luz Mireya Peláez Lopez, 2023 DC Teacher of the Year Runner Up, Marie Reed Elementary School
- Jenelle Bryant, 2021 Milken Educator Awardee, Seaton Elementary School
- Lisa Rauschart, 2022 DC History Teacher of the Year, Georgetown Day School
2023 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) State Finalists:
- Shaylysea Fisher, Center City PCS - Congress Heights
- Rabiah Harris, Ida B. Wells Middle School
- Noelani Davis, Hardy Middle School
- Rachel Stagner, Templeton Academy
- Caylah Green, Hart Middle School
- Samantha Novak, Center City PCS - Brightwood
2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools
- McKinley Technology High School, Principal Kortni Stafford
- DC Prep PCS - Benning Road Elementary, Principal Cyrkle Lomax
- Sela PCS, Principal Josh Bork