ALEXANDRIA, Va., (April 29, 2015) — National PTA® congratulates Shanna Peeples for her recognition by the Council of Chief State School Officers as the 2015 National Teacher of the Year. Peeples is an English teacher at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas. She was selected to receive the honor from teachers across the country for her dedication to helping every child reach his/her full potential as well as her commitment to mentoring her colleagues to help them grow in the teaching profession.

As the National Teacher of the Year, Peeples will address attendees during the 2015 National PTA Convention & Expo on Sunday, June 28 at the Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.  

Peeples, along with all 2015 State Teachers of the Year, was honored today by President Barack Obama in a ceremony at the White House. National PTA President Otha Thornton participated in the ceremony and also served on the selection committee for the National Teacher of the Year Program.

“Shanna, and teachers like her across the country, touch the lives of students every day, and their work and impact extends far beyond the boundaries of the classroom,” said President Thornton. “National PTA salutes Shanna and all of the 2015 State Teachers of the Year for going above and beyond to ensure every child succeeds and every child’s dreams become a reality.”

At Palo Duro High School, Peeples works with many students who speak English as a second language or have recently entered the United States, as Amarillo is one of several cities in the country that helps refugees find new paths in life and gain access to critical resources. She reaches her students through a variety of teaching methods and helps them achieve their full potential in the classroom and beyond. As the 2015 National Teacher of the Year, Peeples is committed to shaping the conversation about reaching students in poverty as well as those who have faced extreme challenges in their lives.

In addition to being a part of the National Teacher of the Year Program, National PTA designates the first week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week to celebrate, honor and thank teachers for their contributions and impacts on children’s lives.      

For more information about the National Teacher of the Year Program and to view a list of the 2015 State Teachers of the Year, visit http://ccsso.org/ntoy/State_Teachers.html.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.