Background
The classroom teacher is the backbone of the American education system. No one person has a greater impact on the education of a child while in school than the teacher who creates the primary learning and instructional environment. It is the mission of the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program to honor our nation’s greatest teachers while providing rigorous professional learning for teachers to be leaders and advocates.
The NTOY Program has been run by the Council of Chief State School Officers since 1952.
Every state, commonwealth or territory may nominate a candidate for National Teacher of the Year. The National Teacher of the Year is released from classroom duties during the year of recognition to serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the entire teaching profession. The National Teacher of the Year maintains a full schedule of speaking engagements throughout the country, and increasingly the world, before a variety of education, community and business groups.
Nomination
Each chief state school officer is invited to nominate a candidate from his or her jurisdiction. The method and materials used to select the state candidate may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Still, we recommend that states use the NTOY Program Guidelines at the state level for ease when completing the national application.
Criteria
A candidate for National Teacher of the Year is a State Teacher of the Year in a state-approved or accredited pre-kindergarten through 12th grade school who is planning to continue in an active teaching status.^
The National Teacher of the Year candidate has the respect and admiration of their colleagues and:
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.
Expresses themselves in an engaging and clear way.
The Role of the National Teacher of the Year
CCSSO works closely with each National Teacher of the Year to develop a year of engagements that are meaningful and impactful. We schedule events and provide counsel to find activities aligned with the interests of the National Teacher of the Year while holding in regard long-standing relationships and events. CCSSO does not direct what the National Teacher of the Year does or says, even when the national teacher’s opinions may differ from our organization or state membership. It is important to note that the National Teacher of the Year serves as an ambassador for education across the nation, including all teachers and students. As such, the National Teacher of the Year abstains from endorsements of any kind until the year of recognition as NTOY (June–July) is complete.
Selection
CCSSO does not select the National Teacher of the Year. A National Selection Committee reviews all applications and selects four finalists from the nominations received. The Selection Committee is composed of representatives from 15–20 national education organizations who interview the finalists in Washington, D.C.
If a state, commonwealth or territory’s candidate is selected as the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, the chief state school officer and the teacher will be notified, on a confidential basis, several weeks in advance of the public announcement. The three finalists not selected and their chief state school officers will receive a confidential notification at the same time.
Timeline
By September 2024: Determine through your selection process your State Teacher of the Year. When the choice has been made, the teacher should be notified together with the teacher's principal and superintendent.*
September 25, 2024: Online submission window opens at 12:01 a.m. ET.
October 31, 2024: Online submission window closes at 11:59 p.m. ET.**
November 2024: National Selection Committee members begin their reviews of all state applications prior to the December committee convening.
December 2024: The National Selection Committee meets virtually and selects four finalists. By the end of December 2024, finalists, their chief state school officer, state coordinators and state communication directors will be notified by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
February 2025: The four finalists will be brought to Washington, D.C., where they will meet with
the Selection Committee in a variety of situations, including individual interviews.March 2025: The teacher selected and the three finalists, along with their chief state school officers, will be notified of the Selection Committee's decision.
April/May 2025: The 2025 National Teacher of the Year will be announced publicly. The National Teacher of the Year and State Teachers of the Year will be invited to Washington, D.C., to participate in CCSSO’s Washington Week.
*This is a general recommendation, but this can happen up until the online submission window closes.
**Applications will only be reviewed if they are submitted in their entirety. Please build in adequate time for your Teacher of the Year to review and revise their application for the national level.