Tennessee Educator Named National Teacher of the Year

Missy Testerman, a 30-year teaching veteran from Rogersville, Tennessee, has been named the 2024 National Teacher of the Year. Testerman, who is the program director for English as a Second Language at Rogersville City Schools, was chosen from a group of 55 State Teachers of the Year from around the country and US territories. Her teaching approach focuses on building bridges between different cultures through a curriculum that highlights Americans from diverse backgrounds. Testerman credits her inspiration to become a teacher to her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Brown, who made her feel welcome on her first day of school.

According to her colleagues, Testerman continues to embody the qualities of a great teacher by making students feel important and fostering a love of learning in them. As the National Teacher of the Year, Testerman plans to advocate for students and teachers, with a focus on addressing teacher pay and supporting educators in the classroom. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a teacher herself, surprised Testerman on the set of CBS Mornings to congratulate her on her win and announced a state dinner at the White House to honor Testerman and other teachers on May 1. Testerman’s dedication to teaching and her commitment to empowering teachers to use their voices make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

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