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East Tennessee State Normal School was founded in 1911 as a teacher’s college, and through the decades, East Tennessee State University has continued to improve the lives of people in the region by graduating hundreds of teachers each year through its Clemmer College of Education and Human Development.

One such teacher is the 2024 National Teacher of the Year.

Missy Testerman is an English as a second language (ESL) instructor and program director at Rogersville City School (RCS). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and Master of Arts in reading education from ETSU and taught first and second grades for three decades at RCS before earning her ESL licensure through Freed-Hardeman University.

Testerman and her fellow finalists interviewed with the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year Program Selection Committee. Testerman was announced as the winner of the National Teacher of the Year award on “CBS Mornings” Wednesday, April 3, and will spend the next year serving as an ambassador and advocate for all teachers and students.

“Missy Testerman is an exemplar of what it means to be a teacher and ETSU alum bettering the lives of people through education,” said Dr. Janna Scarborough, dean of the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development. “She followed her passion to serve children, and as she saw a need arise in her community, she went back to school to earn her English as a second language credential to more effectively reach a unique population. In doing so, she has built bridges and fostered a community of success and belongingness for all students.

“Recently, she came to speak to ETSU faculty and students and shared her inspiring story while also lifting all of the Tennessee educators she has worked alongside throughout her career.”