The annual NIE Teacher of the Year award recognizes educators who advocate for literacy and civic learning through the use of the Tampa Bay Times and Newspaper in Education materials in the classroom.

• Use the Tampa Bay Times to enhance student learning and the learning environment
• Employ innovative newspaper-based lessons, strategies or projects to develop students’ literacy skills
• Integrate the close reading of news into classroom instruction

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• Click here for complete official rules
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2024 NIE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Grand Prize Winner
Denis Riel, Fivay High School, Pasco County

Runners Up
Olivia Boggs, Bayshore High School, Manatee County
Michele Hilliker, Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy, Hillsborough County
Rachel Miller, Crystal River High School, Citrus County
Meredith Myers, Midtown Academy, Pinellas County
Kaylin Schemmel, Oak Park Elementary School, Hillsborough County

Honorable Mentions
Ragen Carpenter, Randall Middle School, Hillsborough County
Lisa Lawson, Claywell Elementary School, Hillsborough County
Kristinna Sanchez, Hernando Christian Academy, Hernando County

View the 2024 Teacher of the Year photo gallery

2023 NIE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Grand Prize Winner
Samantha Lynge, MacFarlane Park Elementary School, Hillsborough County

Runners-Up
Linda Cox, Bay Crest and Morgan Woods Elementary Schools, Hillsborough County
Rachel Kingdom, Central High School, Hernando County
Rachel Miller, Crystal River High School, Citrus County
Christine Scoby, Shorecrest Preparatory School, Pinellas County

View the 2023 Teacher of the Year photo gallery

2022 NIE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Grand Prize Winner
Linda Cox, Bay Crest Elementary School and Morgan Woods Elementary School, Hillsborough County

Runners-Up
Rachel Kingdom, Central High School, Hernando County
Dean Robertson, Steinbrenner High School, Hillsborough County
Dawana Whyte-Hug, Melrose Elementary School, Pinellas County

Watch the 2022 Virtual Award Presentation

2021 NIE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Grand Prize Winner
Elizabeth Crawley, Seminole High School, Pinellas County

Honorable Mention
Patrice Brown, East Bay High School, Hillsborough County

Watch the 2021 Virtual Award Presentation

2020 NIE Teacher of the Year

Grand Prize Winner
Tiffany Southwell, Steinbrenner High School, Hillsborough County

Honorable Mentions
Brenda Curtwright, Anclote High School, Pasco County
Kathryn Jeakle, Shorecrest Preparatory School, Pinellas County
Susan Tkacik, Pride Elementary School, Hillsborough County
Johana Wright, Hillsborough High School, Hillsborough County

2019 NIE Teacher of the Year

Grand Prize Winner
Donald Whitaker, Inverness Middle School, Citrus County

Honorable Mentions
Linda Cox, Cannella Elementary School, Hillsborough County
Brenda Curtwright, Anclote High School, Pasco County
Jennifer Kious, Durant High School, Hillsborough County

View the 2019 Teacher of the Year photo gallery

2018 NIE Teacher of the Year

Grand Prize Winner
Elizabeth Crawley, Seminole High School, Pinellas County

Honorable Mentions
Jamy Hoch, Countryside High School, Pinellas County
Rene Marquis, Bloomingdale High School, Hillsborough County
Donald Whitaker, Inverness Middle School, Citrus County
Heather Wiseman, East Lake High School, Pinellas County

View the 2018 Teacher of the Year photo gallery

2017 NIE Teacher of the Year

Grand Prize Winner
Cynthia Bowen, Carwise Middle School, Pinellas County

Honorable Mentions
Sarah Hastings, Alonso High School, Hillsborough County
Felecia King, Lockhart Elementary Magnet School, Hillsborough County
Audra Lewis, Young Middle Magnet School, Hillsborough County
Susan Terry, Carwise Middle School, Pinellas County

View the 2017 Teacher of the Year photo gallery

2015 NIE Teacher of the Year

Grand Prize Winner
Tracey Keim, St. Petersburg High School, Pinellas County

Honorable Mentions
Elizabeth Damsel, Jackson Elementary School, Hillsborough County
Diane Dove, Safety Harbor Middle School, Pinellas County
Susan Terry, Carwise Middle School, Pinellas County
Krista Wilson, Osceola Middle School, Pinellas County

View the 2015 Teacher of the Year photo gallery