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The ����̽̽ College of Education and Social Services (CESS) and the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) honored outstanding teachers at the 41st Annual Outstanding Teachers’ Day on Wednesday, March 23. Along with the presentation of awards to 70 educators from 30 school districts and supervisory unions throughout the state, the event also recognized Vermont’s 2022 Teacher of the Year Karen McCalla and distinguished finalists for the award. 

Hosted annually by ����̽̽ and Vermont Agency of Education, the event is a culmination of each organization’s longstanding annual ceremonies dedicated to Vermont educators. Vermont Secretary of Education Dan French, CESS Dean Katharine Shepherd, and Vermont NEA President Don Tinney recognized the educators’ excellence and innovation in teaching along with their powerful impact on children, families, schools, and communities across Vermont.

“In addition to offering our congratulations in being named an Outstanding Teacher, we also offer you our gratitude and admiration,” said French. “Your work is in the highest tradition of public service which has been, and continues to be, very inspiring.”

French also spoke of the unprecedented challenges of being an educator over the past two years. “This has been exceedingly difficult work, but will no doubt pay off in the coming months and years. Our students needed some sense of normalcy in their lives, and you provided that. You also provided some sense of normalcy for each other. Our outstanding teachers are, in particular, those who were there for their peers, who provided the leadership and support to their colleagues when they needed it the most.”

CESS Dean Katharine Shepherd gave thanks to the event’s honorees for their outstanding service to school communities across Vermont. “We thank you for allowing us to publicly honor you today for educating the next generation of Vermont students,” remarked Shepherd. “Each day, you help them to develop skills and to become more creative and humane. Today we gather to recognize the long hours, patience, perseverance, and passion defining your important work. We honor your commitment, your successes as well as your trials, and the powerful impact you have had on the children of Vermont and our future. Thank you for your service and your inspiration to all of us. You make a great difference every day, and we appreciate all that you do.”

���ղ�’s Department of Education Chairperson Kimberly Vannest and Director of Teacher Education Ellen Baker presented highlights of each outstanding educator’s accomplishments and contributions to their school community. The event program – including a listing of the outstanding educators and their accomplishments – is available to the public on ���ղ�’s web page. 

In addition to honoring educators from each of the state’s school districts and supervisory unions, French acknowledged the work of this year’s Vermont Teacher of the Year, Karen McCalla from the Mill River School District near Rutland.

“Karen is a library media specialist and is very active in technology and STEAM initiatives in her district and in the region,” said French. “Her enthusiasm for educational technology and empowering students to create with these tools is exemplary. As we emerge from the pandemic, we need to elevate the creative and inspirational work of teachers like Karen, so that this work can inform the next steps for our education system in a post-pandemic or endemic environment.”

2021 Vermont Teacher of the Year Susan Rosato also spoke at the event, acknowledging the accomplishments of her fellow educators. “Great teachers change lives,” said Rosato. “You all embody the hope that public education brings to children no matter what their background or circumstances might be. There is no doubt that everyone's story includes a teacher. You are that teacher in someone's story. Your students may not remember all the lessons you taught, but they will remember how you made them feel.”

AOE has recognized outstanding Vermont teachers through the Vermont Teacher of the Year award since 1964. McCalla will travel statewide visiting schools and working with teachers and will also become Vermont’s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers. In the spring, McCalla will join Teachers of the Year from every state on a trip to the national awards conference in Washington, D.C., and a culminating reception at the White House.

Educators recognized at this year’s Vermont Outstanding Teachers’ Day are eligible to compete for the state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year Award. An application is available through the . 

Learn more about the event on ����̽̽'s web page.