3-11-2026 7:04pm

Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Recognize Outstanding Teachers

Beth Callahan Editor

Photo courtesy of Ohio State Board of Education

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- Nominations are being accepted now through March 31 for the next Ohio Teacher of the Year.

"Since its inception in 1964, the Ohio Teacher of the Year program annually identifies exceptional teachers statewide, celebrating their effective work in and outside the classroom. The program's mission is to provide opportunities for professional learning and networking to a cohort of exemplary teachers as leaders and advocates for public education," explains the Ohio State Board of Education website.

Anyone may nominate one or multiple teachers. School administrators, colleagues, community members, parents, or students may submit a nomination from a district or school building. (Self-nominations are not accepted.) The Ohio Teacher of the Year candidate must meet these requirements:

Is an expert in their field who guides students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence;
Collaborates with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success;
Deliberately connects the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong community at large;
Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embodies lifelong learning; and
Expresses themselves in an engaging and clear way.

Each qualified nominee will receive a copy of their nomination, a certificate of recognition, and an invitation to apply to the program after the nomination period closes. Selected teachers move through two levels of recognition: (1) the State Board District Teacher of the Year as a regional recognition and (2) the Ohio Teacher of the Year as the state-level recognition. Direct questions to Angela Dicke, Ohio Teacher of the Year program coordinator.