Nominations for next year open until March 31

COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recognized Ohio’s 2025 District Teachers of the Year during his State of the State address on March 12.

“Put a good teacher in the classroom and kids will learn,” DeWine said during his address. “Few things make more of a difference in a young student’s life than the impact of a truly outstanding teacher. Countless teachers across Ohio pour their heart and soul into their work, and their students, every single day.”

Ohio’s 2025 District Teachers of the Year:

• Melinda Newell, Upper Sandusky Exempted Village School District (Wyandot County)

• Kimberly Haney, Amherst Exempted Village School District (Lorain County)

• Justin Stone, Trotwood-Madison City School District (Montgomery County)

• Alison Sears, Mason City School District (Warren County)

• Michelle Dohrmann, West Clermont Local School District (Clermont County)

• Treva Bolton, Logan-Hocking School District (Hocking County)

• Amanda Schaeffer, Hilliard City School District (Franklin County)

• Aaron Davis, Indian Valley Local School District (Tuscarawas County)

• Jennifer Bindus, Aurora City School District (Portage County)

• Daneé Pinckney, Ohio Teacher of the Year, Twinsburg City School District (Summit County)

• Jennifer Winkler, Green Local School District (Summit County)

The Ohio Teacher of the Year program began in 1964. Each year, school administrators, fellow educators, parents, students and community members nominate teachers for the Teacher of the Year recognition. Following an in-depth nomination, application, and selection process, the State Board of Education selects 11 teachers as District Teachers of the Year. Then, one of those teachers is selected to be the Ohio Teacher of the Year.

The Ohio Teacher of the Year serves as an ambassador for the teaching profession and public education and represents Ohio in the annual National Teacher of the Year selection, sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Nominations for the 2026 Ohio Teacher of the Year program are still being accepted. Submissions are required by March 31. Visit the State Board of Education’s Teacher of the Year Nomination webpage for more information.