Russell, 1996 M.Ed. alumnus, selected as 2022 National Teacher of the Year

ASHLAND, Ohio – Kurt Russell, a veteran history teacher at Oberlin High School who earned a master of education in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University in 1996, was named the 2022 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers. The announcement was made live during “CBS Mornings” on April 19.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be selected as the National Teacher of the Year,” said Russell in a news release issued by the CCSSO. “With this recognition, I hope to bring attention and awareness to the importance of diverse faculty and representative curriculum that helps students feel more empowered in their education.”

As the 2022 National Teacher of the Year, Russell will spend a year representing educators and serving as an ambassador for students and teachers across the nation, according to the CCSSO. He plans to advocate for classrooms to better reflect the students within them – from a curriculum that reflects their backgrounds and identities to a more diverse teaching profession.

Russell, born and raised in Oberlin, Ohio, was inspired to become an educator by his first Black male teacher in middle school. Now, in his 25th year as a teacher at Oberlin High School, he serves as a role model for his students while emphasizing cultural relevance and diverse representation in the curriculum. Among the classes Russell has taught are African-American history, U.S. history, international baccalaureate history of the Americas and a course he developed, titled “Race, Gender and Oppression.”

In addition to his exemplary teaching, Russell is very active with extracurriculars. He is an adviser for the Black Student Union, student council and junior class, and has coached basketball for Oberlin City Schools since 1996.

In a previous communication, Russell looked back at his time in the Ashland graduate program fondly. “The master’s in education program at Ashland provided me with essential tools in becoming an effective teacher. The program emphasizes pedagogy that aligns with the wholistic learner: social, emotional, and content based,” he said.

Russell became one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year after being selected as the Ohio Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Department of Education. He was also previously recognized as a top teacher by the Oberlin Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (2019) and the Oberlin Heritage Center (2009).

CCSSO’s National Teacher of the Year program identifies exceptional teachers across the country, recognizes their effective work in the classroom, engages them in a year of professional learning and amplifies their voices.

Russell has been invited to the White House next Wednesday, May 4, when he will be honored by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.