September 20, 2021
CARSON CITY, Nev. – Today, Governor Steve
Sisolak joined State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert to
announce that Ms. Deanne Moyle-Hicks was named the 2022 Nevada Teacher of the
Year during a surprise assembly celebration.
A
National Board-Certified teacher, Ms. Hicks teaches fourth-grade students at
Natchez Elementary School. A guest on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, she has
served northern Nevada students for 28 years. Ms. Hicks advocates for education
that embraces and empowers all students of diverse cultures.
“Throughout
her 28-year teaching career, Deanne Moyle-Hicks’ passion and care have
positively impacted the lives of countless students in Nevada,” said Governor
Sisolak. “She is a life-long Nevadan and a life-long learner who models
hard work and perseverance to her students daily. It is more important now than
ever to recognize and uplift the dedicated teachers who continue to make
learning engaging and accessible for students, and Ms. Hicks is a phenomenal
example of this approach.”
“Our 2022 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Hicks,
demonstrates several qualities that make her an exemplary teacher, including
her passion in bringing an equitable education to each and every child, her cultivation
of family partnerships to positively impact student success, and her work to
support students’ social-emotional health,” said Superintendent Ebert.
“I am grateful to have educators like Ms. Hicks leading the way for Nevada’s students,
and we are thrilled to honor her as our 2022 Nevada Teacher of the Year!”
“Ms.
Hicks is an educator, leader, and inspiration, and we are grateful to have her
in our school community,” said Jake Chapin, Principal at Natchez Elementary
School. “Her dedication to our students and school community is unmatched;
every morning, Ms. Hicks drives 45 miles to teach the students and families she
loves at Natchez Elementary and on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation. We
truly appreciate working in Washoe County, a district that recognizes the
unique needs of our community and families and provides the support necessary
for teachers like Ms. Hicks to work her magic.”
“I
am thrilled to celebrate this well-deserved award for Ms. Deanne Moyle-Hicks,” said
WCSD Superintendent Dr. Kristen McNeill. “She has forged strong connections
with her families and worked in partnership with them to enable deep and
meaningful engagement with her students. She not only brings joy and enthusiasm
for 21st Century learning to her fourth-grade classroom, she also serves as a
tireless advocate for her students and families. We are so proud to honor her,
and grateful that her work is being highlighted across the State.”
Ms.
Hicks is a life-long Nevadan and an alumna of University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Impassioned about global learning and innovation in education, she completed
her student teaching in New Zealand. Ms. Hicks works extensively as a teacher
leader in roles including Teach Plus Nevada Policy Fellow, national Understood
Fellow, and Nevada National Board Professional Learning Network member. She has
also collaborated with Opportunity 180, the Nevada PTA, and Nevada Succeeds,
and works with the Teachers and Leaders Council and the national Teach Plus
Teacher Cabinet.
The
mission of the Nevada Teacher of the
Year program is to celebrate excellence and strengthen the teaching
force by honoring and recognizing exceptional teachers on a school, district, State, and national level. The Nevada Teacher of the Year is chosen from
nominated individuals who are then invited to apply. After a rigorous
application and interview process, five finalists were sent
to Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction, to make
the final selection.
The
four finalists for the 2022 Nevada Teacher of the
Year are:
- Jeanine Roser of West
Career and Technical Academy in Clark County School District
- Jennifer
Hurt of Desert Rose High School in Clark County School
District
- Rachel
Croft of Bordewich Bray Elementary School in Carson
City School District
- Lissa
Kellogg of Yerington Elementary School in Lyon County School
District
The
program is facilitated nationally by the Council of Chief State
School Officers (CCSSO). Along with its sponsors, CCSSO brings together State
Teachers of the Year from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Washington, DC, and
the Department of Defense Education Activity. Ms. Hicks will
represent Nevada in the National Teacher of the Year competition. In 2021,
Nevada’s Teacher of the Year, Ms. Juliana Urtubey, was recognized as the National Teacher of the
Year by CCSSO.
As
Nevada’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Hicks will represent the Silver State in
the National Teacher of the Year competition. Visit the Nevada Department of
Education’s Teacher of the Year
“Hall of Fame” to view previous recipients. The National Teacher of the Year
program is facilitated by the Council of Chief State School Officers
(CCSSO). Along with its sponsors, CCSSO brings together State Teachers of the
Year from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Washington, DC, and the Department
of Defense Education Activity. For more information about the National Teacher
of the Year Program.
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