DoDEA Announces 2024 Teacher of the Year

Former Scott Intermediate School teacher Ms. Kerrie Gill has been selected as the 2024 Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Teacher of the Year.

Kerrie Gill began her career as an English Language Arts (ELA) teacher in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where she received the Elizabethtown Independent Schools Excellence in Teaching & Educational Leadership Award and went on to receive a nomination for Kentucky Teacher of the Year. Gill is teaching in the DoDEA Europe West District at SHAPE Middle School (Mons, Belgium) for the 2023-2024 school year.

Joining DoDEA in 2018 as an ELA teacher at Scott Intermediate School, Gill served as the sixth-grade team lead, Continuous School Improvement Chair, and Site Literacy Lead, which allowed her to deliver professional learning on literacy-related concepts and strategies to support school and district goals. 

Gill holds a Bachelor of Science in Learning & Behavioral Disorders with an emphasis in Middle Grades English from Eastern Kentucky University, and two Masters of Arts in Education as a Teacher Leader and a Literacy Specialist, both from The University of the Cumberland.  

DoDEA Director, Mr. Thomas M. Brady spoke to Gill’s teaching style and educational philosophy.

“Kerrie Gill is a remarkable educator in every regard and an exceptional teacher leader,” said DoDEA Director, Thomas Brady. “Ms. Gill’s background gives her a unique perspective and set of skills with which to guide and mentor our students while providing a world-class educational experience.”

“As an ‘Army Brat’ and proud DoDEA graduate, I am humbled and honored to receive this recognition,” said Gill. “I spent my entire K-12 schooling in DoDEA, predominately in the Southeast.  

“Being able to give back to the community I grew up in and share my love of learning with students today is a privilege. I look forward to working with other teacher leaders across DoDEA to continue fostering a culture where all military-connected students feel celebrated, secure, and supported.” 

 “Ms. Kerrie Gill is an incredibly talented and dedicated educator who is committed to serving our students,” said Greg Bull, DoDEA Americas Southeast District Superintendent. “Having grown up as a military-connected child, she has a unique ability to connect with DoDEA kids and deeply understands the unique challenges that go with being part of a military family.”  

Along with the public recognition and the award, Ms. Gill will enter the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) application pool and will be recognized by the President (pending scheduling) at a future event at The White House.  Ms. Gill will also attend the NTOY Conference and participate in the Council of Chief of State School Officers (CCSSO)-sponsored Teacher of the Year events.

The year of service for the 2024 Teacher of the Year will begin on January 1, 2024, and run through December 2024.  The selection is made months before the term begins to allow the DoDEA candidate and other candidates from the 50 states time to participate in the National Teacher of the Year program which selects a finalist in December. 

DoDEA Teacher of the Year Program

The DoDEA Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors exemplary PK through high school teachers.  The process begins at the nomination level where teachers may be nominated by peers, administrators, parents, students, or community members.  Each District Teacher of the Year is selected by a district panel using specified criteria to review District teacher of the Year applications. Eight teachers were named District Teacher of the Year for 2024. Each District Teacher of the Year is invited to apply for the DoDEA Teacher of the Year.

A complete listing of this year’s recipients is listed below.  Additional information about DoDEA's Teacher of the Year Program, including point of contact, may be found on our web site. 

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages Prekindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Educational Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.

DoDEA 2024 District Teachers of the Year Recipients