Missy Testerman

Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year, is a kindergarten through eighth grade English as the Second Language (ESL) teacher and program director at Rogersville City School where she also directs their summer camps program. Testerman is a staunch advocate for her students, their families and her fellow teachers. She is currently on leave for the 2024-25 school year as she fulfills her year of service as National Teacher of the Year to empower teachers to advocate for students and fellow educators by using their voices and sharing their experiences with those outside of the classroom. Testerman believes strongly in teachers embracing their role as education experts to inform decision-makers of today’s classroom experiences to meet all students’ needs.

A Tennessee native and first-generation college graduate, Testerman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Reading Education from East Tennessee State University. In her rural Appalachian community, Testerman builds bridges between cultures – families who have been in the area for centuries and newer immigrants – through a curriculum focused on a study of Americans from diverse backgrounds, allowing students to better understand that people are inherently the same and that they all belong. As Tennessee’s State Teacher of the Year, she forged partnerships with East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee to encourage pre-service teachers and give authentic feedback to university leaders about their educator preparation programs.

Missy believes that we must hold high expectations for students, and she prioritizes instruction that ensures her students have the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve. She considers her greatest contribution to her profession to be the love and desire for learning that she has instilled in countless students over the past three decades. Testerman takes great pride in seeing her former students succeed in life and is motivated to ensure the next generation receives a broadened education while living in a rural setting.