MEDIA ADVISORY

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal will announce the Washington State Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year on Saturday, September 28.

OLYMPIA—September 18, 2024—State Superintendent Chris Reykdal will announce Washington’s 2025 Teacher of the Year and 2024 Classified School Employee of the Year at an award ceremony in Olympia on Saturday, September 28 at 10:30 am. Eight finalists from across the state were considered for each honor and will be recognized at the ceremony.

When:

Saturday, September 28, 2024
10:30 am

Where:

Speakers:

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal
Blaire Penry, 2024 Washington State Teacher of the Year
Hilda Lail, 2023 Classified School Employee of the Year

2025 Teacher of the Year Finalists:

Teena Vaderholm, Washtucna School District, Northeast Washington Educational Service District (ESD) 101
Lauren Thomas, Toppenish High School, Toppenish School District, ESD 105
Rachel Lake, Ilwaco High School, Ocean Beach School District, ESD 112
Andrew Landowski, Black Hills High School, Tumwater School District, Capital Region ESD 113
Kristyne York, James Taylor High School, Belfair School District, Olympic ESD 114
Kim Broomer, Ruby Bridges Elementary, Northshore School District, Puget Sound ESD 121
Kristy Bishop, Moses Lake High School, Moses Lake School District, North Central ESD 171
Kelly Guilfoil, Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens School District, Northwest ESD 189

2024 Classified School Employee of the Year Finalists:

Tammy Ward, Mary Walker School District, ESD 101
Erica Aparicio, Yakima Public Schools, Yakima School District, ESD 105
Zach Claypool, Lexington Elementary School, Kelso School District, ESD 112
Kathi Dahlstrom, Wishkah Valley School District, Capital Region ESD 113
Carrie Johnson, Greywolf Elementary, Sequim School District, Olympic ESD 114
Julie Herdt, Tukwila School District, Puget Sound ESD 121
Maria Valle, Quincy School District, North Central ESD 171
Geancarla “Carla” Shanks Morales, Orcas Island Elementary School, Orcas Island School District, Northwest ESD 189

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ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.