|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2024
Four Teachers Named Finalists for Alaska Teacher of the Year
JUNEAU, AK -- Today the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development announced four finalists for the 2025 Alaska Teacher of the Year: Benedict Cabasal (Anchorage School District), Jennifer Hornung (Kenai Peninsula Borough School District), Kaitlin Lenoir (Anchorage School District), and Kelly Rentz (Mat-Su Borough School District).
The finalists underwent three rounds of evaluation by committees, including interviews, personal essays, sample lessons, classroom and direct teaching recordings, and letters of recommendation.
The Alaska Teacher of the Year and an alternate will be announced by the end of this school year. The selected teacher will serve as Alaska’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year and will be able to participate in programs and activities with other State Teachers of the Year, coordinated by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
“Recognizing teacher excellence is pivotal to elevating the quality of education across Alaska. Our four finalists exemplify the dedication, innovation, and impact that our educators bring to the classroom. Their contributions are a testament to the power of education to transform lives and communities, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition” said DEED Commissioner Deena Bishop.
Benedict Cabasal has been teaching self-contained secondary special education at Dimond High School in Anchorage since 2018. He earned a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a major in mathematics at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, and a Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching with a concentration in special education from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Jennifer Hornung is a middle and high school teacher. She has been teaching math and science at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska since 2014. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in the field of natural science from Chadron State College and a Master of Science in natural science and middle-level math from the University of Wyoming.
Kaitlin Lenoir has taught in the Anchorage School District since 2011. During that time, she has taught as a fifth-grade and sixth-grade teacher. She is currently at Homestead Elementary in Eagle River. She attended Chugiak High School, Eagle River High School, Bemidji State University, and earned a Bachelor in Elementary Education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Kelly Rentz is currently the Director of Choirs at Colony High School in the Mat-Su Borough School District, Alaska. She has been a music teacher since 1989 and has worked in the Anchorage School District and the Mat-Su Borough School District. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with vocal emphasis from Stetson University in Deland, Florida.
 ###
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development provides information, resources, and leadership to support over 130,000 students in 505 public schools across the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to ensure an “Excellent Education for Every Student Every Day.”
Media Contact: eed.pio@alaska.gov
|
