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Dear Superintendent/Building Administrator:
It’s time to nominate a teacher to the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year program!
Nominations are open through March 31, 2024.
What is the Ohio Teacher of the Year Program?
The Ohio Teacher of the Year program annually identifies exceptional teachers and celebrates their effective, inspiring work inside and outside the classroom. The program also provides opportunities for professional growth and gives teachers voices as leaders and advocates for public education.
Selected teachers move through two levels of recognition: 1) the State Board District Teacher of the Year as a regional recognition (11 regions); and 2) the Ohio Teacher of the Year as a state-level recognition.
The Ohio Teacher of the Year program is a two-year opportunity:
- Year 1 - Recognition, Celebration and Professional Development
- Year 2 – Service to Ohio in a Teacher Fellowship with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Eligibility / Criteria
A candidate for the Ohio Teacher of the Year (OTOY) is eligible to apply if they are a licensed Ohio educator who: 1) holds a valid Ohio Professional Teaching License; 2) is currently completing their tenth year or more of teaching; 3) is currently employed full-time in a state-approved public school (pre-kindergarten through grade twelve), community school or career-technical center; 4) is working directly with students at least of 50% of their contracted time; 5) has received no previous Ohio Teacher of the Year recognition; and 6) is planning to continue in an active teaching status.
Nomination Process
For local districts or community schools that annually recognize a local district Teacher of the Year, it is recommended to nominate the local honoree. If a local district timeline for selection and recognition does not align with the Ohio Teacher of the Year timeline, it is recommended to nominate the previous year’s honoree.
A school, district or community school is not required to have a local Teacher of the Year recognition process in place. School administrators, colleagues, community members, parents or students may submit a nomination for an outstanding teacher. Multiple teacher nominations from the same building/district are allowed.
Please consider nominating an outstanding teacher from your district by clicking below.
Lisa Grant, the State Board of Education Region 2 Territory Lead will contact the nominee with an invitation to apply after the nomination period closes.
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