Ohio Department of Education Announces Regional Teachers of the Year
Release date: 7/12/2019
The Ohio Department of Education today announced the 11 teachers who are designated as the “2020 Teacher of the Year” for their respective State Board of Education district through the Teacher of the Year Program.
“Ohio has so many amazing teachers who commit themselves each and every day to the success of our students," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria said. "I'm proud to recognize these teachers for their accomplishments and for the excellence they represent. Teachers are the biggest contributor to the success of a student, and it’s important that we continually find ways to support our educators by recognizing and valuing great teaching across the state.”
School administrators, fellow educators, parents, students and community members nominated teachers for the district awards. A State Board of Education member representing each district or volunteer staff from area Educational Service Centers worked with local committees of educators, and often parents and business leaders, to select the district’s awardee.
An Ohio panel of education and community stakeholders will interview state finalists from the State Board district awardees to select the Ohio Teacher of the Year. The state superintendent will announce the statewide honoree this fall.
The Ohio Teacher of the Year will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year selection in spring 2020, sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
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Tonya Thorbahn
Bigelow Hill Intermediate
Findlay City Schools
State Board District 1

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Mary Darr
Perkins Briar Middle School
Perkins Local Schools
State Board District 2

Matthew Szozda
WO Cline Elementary
Centerville City Schools
State Board District 3

Leila Kubesch
Norwood Middle School
Norwood City Schools
State Board District 4

Sharyn Kish
Memorial Elementary
Brunswick City Schools
State Board District 5

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Cecelia Peirano
Ohio State School
for the Blind
State Board District 6

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David Murduck
Champion Middle School
Champion Local Schools
State Board District 7

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Tiffany Lewis
Volney Rogers Elementary
Youngstown City Schools
State Board District 8

Robert Niedermeyer
STEM Middle at Baldwin Road Junior High
Reynoldsburg City Schools
State Board District 9

Andrea Harpen
Blanchester
High School
Blanchester Local Schools
State Board District 10

Rick Wakefield
Maple Heights High School
Maple Heights City Schools
State Board District 11

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Bio