OSSE Honors DC’s Top Teachers at the 2019 Gold Standard of Excellence Educator Awards

By Press Release On May 3, 2019 Last updated May 3, 2019

CONTACT:

Fred Lewis (OSSE)

OSSE DC’s Top Teachers at the 2019 Gold Standard of Excellence EducatorAwards

The fifth annual event also recognized this year’s National Blue Ribbon Schools, and OSSE’s new Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, State Superintendent of Education Hanseul Kang joined members of her team on the eve of National Teacher Appreciation Week to celebrate some of the District of Columbia’s best teachers and nationally recognized schools at the Fifth Annual DC Educators of the Year Award Ceremony, hosted by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).

“The excellent teachers we celebrated today are dedicated to their profession and recognized as some of the best educators in the District of Columbia and the nation,” said Superintendent Kang. “Our DC Educators of the Year are leaders in their schools and communities, and are vitally important to the future of our city. Congratulations to all our DC Educators of the Year and thank you for all you do to challenge our students, engage our families and transform lives.”

Held at the Kellogg Conference Hotel on the Gallaudet University campus in Northeast DC, the ceremony included a formal reception that honored the 2019 DC Teacher of the Year and finalists; the 2018 DC History Teacher of the Year; the 2018 Milken Educator Award winner; the 2018 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) finalists; the 2016 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) winners; and the 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools award winners. See below for a list of DC Educator of the Year and National Blue Ribbon Schools award winners and click on hyperlinked names for more information on each.

The DC Educators of the Year awards is one way OSSE recognizes outstanding teachers and school leaders in the District of Columbia. In addition to honoring educators at the annual DC Educators of the Year awards ceremony, State Superintendent Hanseul Kang and OSSE leadership will bring coffee and donuts to select schools in all eight wards, meet with teachers and tour classrooms as part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, from May 6-10. Superintendent Kang will kick-off the week of celebration with a visit to Friendship Public Charter School-Collegiate Academy on Monday, May 6.

OSSE also recently launched its Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council to elevate teachers’ voices and serve as a brain trust to State Superintendent Kang to ensure the state education agency’s policies are informed by educators. Composed of DC Teacher of the Year winners and finalists from public and public charter elementary, middle and high schools in all wards of the city, the 17-member council is led by 2019 DC Teacher of the Year, and 2019 Washington Post Teacher of the Year, Kelly Harper, and meets quarterly over an 18-month term. The council met for the first time in March. Teacher Advisory Council member bios are available onOSSE’s website.

“All members of the Teacher Advisory Council are DC teacher leaders and champions for the profession,” said Superintendent Kang. “They are passionate about closing the achievement gap, improving school climate, and preparing students for college and career and I look forward to working with them and gaining their insight, feedback and advice on issues that impact classrooms and schools across the city.”

DC Teacher of the Year Award Winners

Kelly Harper, 2019 DC Teacher of the Year, Amidon-Bowen Elementary School
- Karen Lee, 2019 DC Teacher of the Year runner-up, Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School
- Caity Schneeman, 2019 DC Teacher of the Year finalist, KIPP DC-Collegiate Preparatory Academy Public Charter School
- Jenny Coyne, 2019 DC Teacher of the Year finalist, Seaton Elementary School
Rachel Tommelleo, 2018 Milken Educator Award winner (principal), Center City Public Charter School-Brightwood Campus
Bill Stevens, 2018 DC History Teacher of the Year, IDEA Public Charter School
2018 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Finalists
- Jodi Ash, Inspired Teaching Demonstration School (Science)
- Liza Esser, Capitol Hill Day School (Science)
- Brittany Lewis, DC Prep Public Charter School-Anacostia Campus (Math)
- Lola Odukoya, Drew Elementary School (Science)
2016 PAEMST Winners (Announced by White House in June 2018)
- Kelley Padilla, Bruce Monroe Elementary School @ Park View (Math)
- Jennifer Ramsey, KIPP DC-Heights Academy Public Charter School (Science)

2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Stoddert Elementary School, DCPS, Principal Don Bryant (Ward 3)
KIPP DC-Promise Academy Public Charter School, Principal Erin Huseby (Ward 7)
School Without Walls High School, DCPS, Principal Richard Trogisch (Ward 2)

For more information about the DC Educators of the Year Awards, and to learn about OSSE’s other recognition and support opportunities for DC educators, visitOSSE’s website.

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