TARIAT Conference

Missy Testerman the 2024 National Teacher of the Year is a kindergarten through eighth grade English as a second language (ESL) teacher who is a staunch advocate for her students, their families and her fellow teachers. Testerman served as a first and second grade teacher at Rogersville City School in Rogersville, Tennessee, for three decades before taking advantage of the state’s Grow Your Own initiative and adding an ESL endorsement three years ago. She currently works as an ESL specialist at Rogersville City School, where she teaches K-8 students who do not speak English as their first language and supports them in all academic areas.

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 plans to use 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.

She prioritizes instruction that ensures her students have the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve. Testerman knows families are extensions of the classroom and often advocates for her families who speak little English. 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. A Tennessee native and first-generation college graduate herself, 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.

Testerman holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and a Master of Arts in reading education from East Tennessee State University. She added ESL licensure through Freed-Hardeman University, wanting to ensure that immigrant students and families had an advocate in their rural Appalachian area. Testerman lives with her husband, David in Rogersville – where they both grew up and raised their children Andrew and Caroline.

Emmett is in his 9th year of teaching AP World History and U.S. History Dual Enrollment at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem. He received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education- History from Northern Arizona University and his Master of Arts – History at Arizona State University. Burnton is the Founder of Duel of Fates, a local business built upon redefining how students study the world history curriculum. At Boulder Creek, Emmett  sponsors the Anime Club, the Culture Club and is co-level lead of the Advanced Placement professional learning community for history and was the world history level lead for six years. In 2017 Burnton was nominated for the Deer Valley Rookie of the Year Award, in 2024 was awarded the title Deer Valley Education Foundation Teacher of the Year. As a student, he went from suspensions, fighting, and being labeled as academically troubled, to now helping the next generation channel their energy into a positive medium, ensuring students of all backgrounds and levels learn how to take ownership of themselves.

Juliana Urtubey, NBCT is the 2021 National Teacher of the Year. She advocates for a “joyous and just” education for all students. Known as “Ms. Earth” for her efforts to beautify schools and unify the community through murals and gardens, Juliana uses her experiences as a bilingual special education teacher to build holistically inclusive environments for all. Juliana currently leads professional development for educators in Arizona and is the beloved Ms. Appleberry on the early childhood learning show, CoCoMelon Classroom.