Ashland M.Ed. alumni named 2022 Ohio Teacher of the Year
ASHLAND, Ohio – Kurt Russell, who earned a master of education in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University in 1996 and is currently a social studies teacher at Oberlin High School in Oberlin, Ohio, was selected as the 2022 Ohio Teacher of the Year, it was announced by the Ohio Department of Education earlier this month.
“I’m extremely honored to have been recognized as Ohio Teacher of the Year. I applaud all those wonderful and gifted teachers throughout the state that are making impactful relationships in student lives. It is a joy to represent my fellow educators and students in being a voice for educational improvement,” stated Russell. “Finally, thank you to Oberlin City Schools for striving to be great. It’s truly a pleasure to work alongside some of the best administrators, staff, and students.”
Russell, with 25 years of experience as a teacher, believes education can transform students’ lives. He has taught African-American history, U.S. history, international baccalaureate history of the Americas, and a course on race, gender, and oppression in American and world history. He serves as a lead teacher at the high school and as an adviser for the Black Student Union, student council, and junior class, and has also coached basketball for Oberlin City Schools since 1996.
Russell looks back at his time in the Ashland graduate program fondly. “The master’s in education program at Ashland provided me with essential tools in becoming an effective teacher. The program emphasizes pedagogy that aligns with the wholistic learner: social, emotional, and content based,” he said.
Previously, Russell has been recognized as a top teacher by the Oberlin Heritage Center (2009) and the Oberlin Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (2019), and he was named Lorain County Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year (2016).
As the state teacher of the year, Russell will represent Ohio in the National Teacher of the Year selection, sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers.