State educational leaders, colleagues, family and friends gathered at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ on November 14 for Vermont's 44th Annual Outstanding Educator Awards celebration. The event shined a bright spotlight on the accomplishments of 86 award recipients from school districts and supervisory unions across the state.
The festivities began with energetic and inspirational words from Emma Von Licht, a recent ¶¶Òõ̽̽ graduate balancing her time as an educator and a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in special education.
"When I teach and learn with children, I feel like I'm in my element," said Von Licht. "I can appreciate my strengths and see the difference I'm making in my community. As educators and as people, we all need to remind ourselves that when we positively impact someone else, we don't just impact them. We also impact everyone else they interact with. You don't have to go out of your way to change the world. When you show up, be yourself, and choose to be kind, you already do it."
Next up to the podium was College of Education and Social Serivces (CESS) Dean Katie Shepherd, who acknowledged the extraordinary efforts of the awardees.
"You are creating communities of strength and resilience," said Shepherd. "Today is a day to pause and reflect on your accomplishments and victories, large and small. The words we will hear about each of you today will come together to form a beautiful tapestry of what the power of education and educators mean to all of us."
Following Shepherd, Vermont National Education Association President Donnald Tinney recognized the honorees and the critical role educators play in students' lives as advocates, protectors, and champions.
Next, Interim Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders spoke of the powerful model educators set for their students, and the importance of making sure students feel seen and valued as they identify and nurture their skills and talents.
After congratulating the outstanding educator award winners, Saunders introduced 2025 Vermont Teacher of the Year Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver, a History and English teacher at Winooski High School.
Saunders highlighted MacLeod Bluver's work to design innovative curricula reflecting students' diverse cultures and identities to make learning personal and meaningful. She also lauded MacLeod-Bluver's efforts to create events bringing parents, family members and neighbors together to celebrate learning and cultures of the students.
Next, Dean Shepherd introduced 2024 Vermont Teacher of the Year Aziza Malik, a fifth grade teacher at Champlain Elementary School. Shepherd noted Malik's passionate pursuit of place-based education integrating natural, cultural and social environment into the curriculum.
"Aziza's collaborative projects have transformed Champlain Elementary School grounds, providing students with hands-on experiences that bring their studies to life and allow them to actively participate in community change, serving as models for others," said Shepherd.
Malik's work aligns with ¶¶Òõ̽̽'s emphasis on place-based education and fostering a more sustainable future, in particular the reciprocal nature between the health of people and the planet, noted Shepherd.
Leading off her remarks, Malik turned the spotlight on the assembled honorees. "Each of you bring something powerful to your teaching, a purpose that gives meaning to your work and resonates with your students. And that purpose is what our students carry with them long after they leave our classrooms."
Looking back on her own experiences as a student, Malik recalled her days as the shy, quiet kid who never spoke in class. Feeling like she didn't belong, she often tried to disappear. Even today, public speaking is still a daunting endeavor.
"The first time I felt a sense of belonging was through small acts of service at school," she explained. "I took action to contribute, spending my recesses picking up trash to earn terrific kid tickets. Winning an award for the most tickets instilled a feeling of pride. Taking action made me feel connected, like I had something to offer my school."
But it was Malik's fourth grade teacher who showed her what it meant to feel seen and valued.
"She gave each of us hugs every day, created projects that allowed us to express ourselves, and never let me fade into the background," said Malik. "She showed me that my voice mattered, that I belonged, and that I had something to contribute. That feeling of being seen was life-changing, and that's when my purpose started to take root."
Following Malik's remarks, each of the 86 award recipients were recognized individually for their unique and meaningful accomplishments in their respective school communities. Rousing applause filled the Grand Maple Ballroom as each honoree was called to receive their award by CESS Department of Education Chair Kimberly Vannest and Director of Educator Licensure Programs Patrick Halladay.
Including Malik and MacLeod-Bluver, eight Vermont Teachers of the Year were on hand to help celebrate this year's Outstanding Educator Award recipients. Each of of the awardees are now eligible to compete for the 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year Award.
"I really hope that you will let this beautiful night sink in, and I hope you will revel in the joy and the love that's been shared tonight," said Shepherd in her closing remarks. "To all of our educators, we need you now more than ever."
±«³Õ²Ñ’s&²Ô²ú²õ±è;College of Education and Social Services (CESS) strives to promote a more humane and just society maximizing human potential and the quality of life for all individuals, families and communities. Emphasizing inclusive practices, experiential learning and community engagement, CESS prepares students for immediate success and rewarding careers in education, social work, and human services. Faculty and alumni play leading roles in transformative teaching, research, policy development and service in Vermont, across the United States, and around the world.
As one of the nation’s premier PreK-12 teacher education institutions, the CESS Department of Education offers nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate programs distinguished by innovative and rigorous curriculum, nationally prominent faculty, and research-based instructional practices. Academic programming focuses on culturally responsive teaching, extensive and carefully sequenced field-based experiences, and community-engaged learning.
