A Colombian-born teacher is the first person of Hispanic descent to be named National Teacher of the Year in 16 years.
The Council of Chief State School Officers announced last week that Juliana Urtubey, a special education teacher at Kermit R. Booker Sr. Innovative Elementary School in Las Vegas, was chosen from a shortlist of state teachers.
Urtubey is the first Latina National Teacher of the Year chosen since at least 2005 and the first National Teacher of the Year from Nevada, the council said in the announcement.
Urtubey “exemplifies the dedication, creativity and heart teachers bring to their students and communities,” council CEO Carissa Moffat Miller said in a press release.
First lady Jill Biden surprised Urtubey with a bouquet of flowers during a visit to her elementary school last week.
According to Axios, Urtubey told Telemundo Noticias that she’s proud to represent her community and school and was honored to meet Biden, who is an educator as well.
As teacher of the year, Urtubey will “spend a year representing educators and serving as an ambassador for students and teachers across the nation,” according to the press release.