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District of Columbia Teacher of the Year

The DC Teacher of the Year program celebrates outstanding educators who are experts in their craft as demonstrated by accelerated growth for all students, and who demonstrate leadership beyond the classroom by partnering with colleagues, students, families and communities to support innovation in teaching and learning, and who champion the teaching profession.

2024 DC Teacher of the Year Nomination and Application Process
OSSE is searching for the 2024 DC Teacher of the Year! We are seeking nominations for outstanding teachers who:

  • Inspire and accelerate growth for all students
  • Build strong partnerships with families and communities
  • Champion the teaching profession

Administrators, colleagues, LEA and school staff, parents, students, and community members can all submit nominations. Self-nominations are also acceptable. Please complete the 2024 DC Teacher of the Year Nomination Form by the deadline of May 12, 2023.

For a teacher to be eligible for this award, they must be a current teacher in a DC public school or public charter school and must plan to continue as a teacher in DC for the 2023-24 school year. The 2024 DC Teacher of the Year will receive a $7,500 award, professional development and leadership opportunities, and will represent DC in the 2024 National Teacher of the Year competition.

All nominees will receive an email from OSSE with instructions on how to complete the full application process. The deadline to apply is June 25, 2023. OSSE will announce the 2024 DC Teacher of the Year winner by October 2023.

For questions, please contact [email protected].

2023 DC Teacher of the Year

2023 DC Teacher of the Year and 2023 National Teacher of the Year Finalist: Jermar ‘Coach’ Rountree, Pre-K to 8th Grade Health & Physical Education Teacher, Brightwood Campus - Center City Public Schools
View Jermar Rountree’s profile
Follow Jermar on Twitter @jermar_rountree

2023 DC Teacher of the Year Runners Up:

  • Alex Clark, Health & Physical Education Teacher, Dunbar High School
  • Brandyn Marshall Poole, Seventh and Eighth Grade Mathematics Teacher, Center City PCS - Trinidad Campus
  • Luz Mireya Pelaez Lopez, Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 Spanish Immersion Teacher, Marie Reed Elementary School

Past DC Teacher of Year Awardees

2022

Teacher of the Year: Dominique Foster, Pre-K4 Teacher, Blow-Pierce Academy, Friendship Public Charter School
View Dominique Foster’s profile
Follow her on Twitter @FosterLovesEdu

Runners Up:

  • Dr. Takeisha Wilson, Fourth Grade Teacher, Shepherd Elementary School
  • Rickita Perry Taylor, Special Educator, Tyler Elementary School

2021

DC Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalist: Alejandro Diasgranados, Fourth and Fifth Grade English Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher, Aiton Elementary School
View Alejandro Diasgranados’ profile
Follow him on Twitter @ThatDCTeacher

Runners Up:

  • Lauren McKenzie, Social Studies Teacher and Teacher Leader Innovation Team Member, Ron Brown Preparatory High School
  • Shelina Warren, Social Studies Teacher and Director of the Law & Public Policy Academy, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School

2020

Teacher of the Year: Justin Lopez-Cardoze, Seventh Grade Science Teacher, Capital City Public Charter School
View Justin Lopez-Cardoze’s profile

Runners Up:

Elizabeth Barkley, English, Social Action/Human Rights, and Global Perspectives Teacher, Cardozo High School
Dr. Daniel Spruill, K-8 Music Teacher and Choir Director, Center City Public Charter School Brightwood Campus

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