"All of Mikaela Saelua’s high school students are learning English as a second language. Their mother tongue is Samoan – poetic, full of expressive vowel sounds and unique – leaving most words without a direct English translation. To break up the monotony of reading and writing, she launched a song translation project. In what culminates in music videos, students learn figurative idioms, metaphors and words to capture the soul of Samoan songs."

Each year, every U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity selects an outstanding educator as their State Teacher of the Year. From this group of 56 honorees, a National Selection Committee chooses four finalists. In January, the committee announced the 2025 finalists.

Given the significant challenges public educators face today, it is heartening to see the common threads among this year’s finalists. Each addresses pressing societal issues in their classrooms, including gun violence, substance abuse, suicide, poverty, and environmental concerns. Each prioritizes cultural integration—incorporating students' experiences, backgrounds, and curiosities into their lessons. And each fosters community engagement, partnering with local organizations to expand students' opportunities and connect classroom learning to real-world challenges.

At a time when public education faces both fiscal and political threats, all four finalists are finding fresh, creative ways to center students’ lived experiences in their teaching.

ARTICLE: Fostering Culture & Belonging: Reflections from Teacher of the Year Finalists