Oberlin’s Kurt Russell named 2022 National Teacher of the Year

4/25/2022

Last week, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced that Kurt Russell, a teacher at Oberlin High School in the Oberlin City School District, is the 2022 National Teacher of the Year! Russell was named 2022 Ohio Teacher of the Year in September 2021. CCSSO then selected him as one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year in January 2022.

One of Russell’s math teachers, who was the first Black male teacher he had, inspired him to teach. As a 25-year classroom veteran, Russell has taught multiple courses, including African American history, U.S. History, international baccalaureate history of the Americas, and a course on race, gender and oppression. He also has been a basketball coach since 1996.

Not only does Russell teach in Oberlin, it also is his hometown. Last week, Oberlin City Schools held a celebration to honor Russell as the 2022 National Teacher of the Year. The district’s blog, Phoenix Forum, has pictures from the celebration and more about how he is being recognized. Later this week, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will honor him at the White House.

CCSSO’s National Teacher of the Year Program identifies exceptional teachers across the country, recognizes their effective work in the classroom, engages them in a year of professional learning and amplifies their voices.

As the 2022 National Teacher of the Year, Russell will spend a year representing educators and serving as an ambassador for students and teachers across the nation. He plans to advocate for classrooms to better reflect the students within them — from a curriculum that reflects their backgrounds and identities to a more diverse teaching profession.

Watch a video of the announcement on CBS Mornings and read more from CCSSO here.