Teacher of the Year

Teacher of the Year is Washington's oldest and most prestigious teacher award program. Since 1963 Washington has selected one teacher as our state Teacher of the Year. Hundreds of teachers have been recognized as Regional and State Teachers of the Year.

Nominations open in the winter. In the spring, each Educational Service District selects a Regional Teacher of the Year to forward to the state program. The Washington State Teacher of the Year is selected in the fall by a selection committee of diverse education stakeholders and alumni Teachers of the Year. The committee uses a written application, panel and impromptu interviews, and short keynote to come to consensus on the recipient.

Meet the 2019 Washington State Teacher of the Year

Robert Hand, a family and consumer sciences teacher at Mount Vernon High School, is the 2019 Washington State Teacher of the Year. Robert will spend the January - June 2019 traveling the state and writing, teaching, and speaking on behalf of the teaching profession.

Robert has taught family and consumer sciences at Mount Vernon High School since 2013. His classes in beginning foods, life after high school, careers in education, nutrition, and leadership are focus on helping students realize their own potential. Robert has been an advisor for the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America and Social Justice clubs. He has also served on the School Engagement and Culture Committee and the district's Equity Team in Mount Vernon.

Robert is on a mission to diversify the educator workforce in Washington and around the country so that all students have the chance to learn from educators who share their experiences and cultures. He was instrumental in developing an online curriculum for the Recruiting Washington Teachers program for the Professional Educator Standards Board and speaks around the state about developing high school students into the educators of tomorrow.

Robert's passions include food, music, and design. He is a proud graduate of Edmonds Community College, Western Washington University, and Central Washington University.

connect with Robert

Request a meeting or invite Robert to attend your event.

WATAC is an organization made up of alumni from Washington's Teacher of the Year, Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, and Classified School Employee of the Year programs. We are staffed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, led by alumni, and funded through a generous grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. WATAC members speak with independent voices. Their statements do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, or any other sponsors or partners.

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For all other inquiries, contact OSPI staff.