CARSON CITY, Nev. - Today, Governor Steve Sisolak joined State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert to announce that Mrs . Connie Hall was named the 2023 Nevada Teacher of the Year during a surprise classroom celebration.

Mrs. Hall is a Kindergarten teacher at Lloyd Diedrichsen Elementary School in Sparks. She was named the 2019 Certified Employee of the Year by Washoe County School District in recognition of the high expectations she maintains for herself and her students as well as her success in creating a welcoming and culturally responsive classroom environment for all children and adults.

"In her 14 years of service to Nevada's public schools and her decades of teaching, Mrs. Hall has inspired future leaders through her steadfast belief that every student can achieve," said Governor Sisolak. "She represents over 27,000 colleagues across the state who - like her - are leaders in their classrooms and communities. I am grateful that her voice and passion will uplift our ongoing efforts to recruit and retain high-quality educators across our State."

"Mrs. Hall has high expectations for herself and her students and she finds when her students know she expects great things from them, they rise to the occasion," said State Superintendent Jhone Ebert. "Her classroom has long been a model for her colleagues and I'm so proud that this well-deserved recognition as our State Teacher of the Year will continue to elevate her leadership and positively impact our entire education system."

"Mrs. Hall is a passionate educator who puts her students first. She is motivated by student success and is dedicated to creating lasting relationships with every child," said Diedrichsen Elementary School Principal Ryan Doetch. "We are so proud of her achievement and grateful that she is part of our school family."

"We could not be more #WCSDPRoud of Mrs. Hall. She is an extraordinary teacher who represents the very best of this profession," said Washoe County School District Superintendent Susan Enfield. "What makes her so special, and deserving of this honor, is her unwavering belief that every student is special and deserving of her love and attention-which she gives selflessly each and every day."

Mrs. Hall began her teaching career in 1994. As an elementary teacher, she has always taken pride in helping students take the first steps on their educational journey and preparing them for mastery and fluency of complex concepts. She earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Minor in Common Core State Standards from Concordia University-Portland, Oregon.

Mrs. Hall also serves on the Diedrichsen Elementary School Leadership Team. Her classroom was filmed and featured in articles for several districts and national initiatives to demonstrate a culturally responsive environment. She and her students were one of five classrooms chosen nationally to be featured in The New Teacher Project, Room to Run, which demonstrates "what kids can do with challenging, inspiring schoolwork."

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' deidentified materials were sent to Superintendent Ebert to make the final selection. 

The four finalists for the 2023 Nevada Teacher of the Year are:   

• Laura Jeanne Penrod, Southwest Career and Technical Academy, Clark County School District
• Jaime Tadrzynski, Canyon Springs High School, Clark County School District
• Adrienne Wiggins, Empire Elementary School, Carson City School District
• Michaela Marich, McGill Elementary School, White Pine County School District

As Nevada's 2023 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Hall will represent the Silver State in the National Teacher of the Year competition. 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.  

In 2021, Nevada's Teacher of the Year, Ms. Juliana Urtubey, was recognized as the National Teacher of the Year by CCSSO. Visit the Nevada Department of Education's Teacher of the Year "Hall of Fame" to view previous recipients.

Attachments:

• Room to Run
• Council of Chief State School Officers
• National Teacher of the Year
• Teacher of the Year "Hall of Fame"

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ABOUT THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada's 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more at https://doe.nv.gov/