Teacher of the Year Program
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program is designed to recognize and honor outstanding educators with more than three years of teaching experience at a DoDEA school who exemplify the qualities of professionalism and excellence in our teaching workforce.
The DoDEA TOY Program is modeled after the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program, which is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). This program provides an avenue for all STOYs to be nationally recognized and compete for the NTOY. The NTOY and all STOYs are presented at the White House. The DoDEA TOY travels to all NTOY activities and takes a semester-long sabbatical to design and implement a project of choice.
Any stakeholder may nominate a DoDEA teacher for this award. Nominees are highly encouraged to participate in the application process.
The purpose of the DoDEA Teacher of the Year program is to recognize and promote excellence in teaching, leading, and Learning. The DoDEA Teacher of the Year program provides avenues for teachers to be honored, awarded, and nationally recognized for their outstanding efforts in providing the best education for our military-connected students.
Kerrie Gill began her career as an English Language Arts (ELA) teacher in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where she received the Elizabethtown Independent Schools Excellence in Teaching & Educational Leadership Award and went on to receive a nomination for Kentucky Teacher of the Year. Gill holds a Bachelor of Science in Learning & Behavioral Disorders with an emphasis in Middle Grades English from Eastern Kentucky University, and two Masters of Arts in Education as a Teacher Leader and a Literacy Specialist, both from The University of the Cumberland. 
Gill is teaching in the DoDEA Europe West District at Shape Middle School (Mons, Belgium) for the 2023-2024 school year.
|
Region |
District |
Teacher |
School |
Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas |
Mid-Atlantic  |
Jonathan M. Willis | Tarawa Terrace ES | Special Education |
|
Southeast  |
Kerrie A. Gill | Scott IS | ELA | |
| Europe |
East  |
Cindy J. Holland | Wiesbaden MS | 6th Grade ELA |
|
South  |
Marla L. Echols | Rota ES | 3rd Grade | |
|
West  |
Tanamatha D. Wood | Shape HS | ELA | |
| Pacific |
East  |
Megan N. Bartl | Elliott ES | 2nd Grade |
|
South  |
Nicole A. Parker | Ryukyu MS | 8th Grade ELA | |
|
West  |
Dr. Julia C. Jones | Humphreys MS | 5th Grade |
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The information reflects the honorees' school and position during the District Teachers of the Year announcement in April.
