Rhode Island Teacher of the Year

The Teacher of the Year Award Program was initiated in 1952 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to bring recognition to the importance of teachers as nurturers of the "American Dream." His intention to honor all teachers by the selection of a representative teacher from each state would find completion in the yearly choice of a National Teacher of the Year. Through an organized and varied selection process involving classroom teachers, school administrators, state officials, students, parents, and business representatives, each state and U. S. Protectorate nominates its own Teacher of the Year.

In Rhode Island, each school district is invited to designate its local Teacher of the Year. These names are then forwarded to the Department of Education as nominations for the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year. To nominate a teacher to be considered for the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, contact your school superintendent to first nominate that teacher as local Teacher of the Year.

The name of the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year then submitted to a national committee where the process is repeated and the final selection is made of the National Teacher of the Year. Care is taken at all levels to ensure that the teacher selected at the local, state, and national level is not labeled "the best," but simply identified as a representative of all dedicated teachers. The program is co-sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic, Incorporated.

To view a video of RI Teacher of the Year, George Goodfellow, click on the following link:  http://pearsonfoundation.org/ccsso-toy/2008/