LAS VEGAS – A Nevada educator was named National Teacher of the Year Thursday and received a surprise visit to her classroom from First Lady Jill Biden.
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Juliana Urtubey, special education teacher and learning strategist at Booker Elementary School in Las Vegas, was the first Nevada teacher to win the award, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
The Board of Chief State School Officers recognized Urtubey, and the announcement was made on CBS This Morning.
“Juliana Urtubey is an example of the dedication, creativity and heart that teachers show to their students and communities,” said Carissa Moffat Miller, CEO of the council, in a statement.
Urtubey is also known as “Ms. Earth” for her “efforts to beautify schools and unite the community through murals and gardens,” the school officials’ council announced.
“I’m so grateful,” said Urtubey at an event organized by the Clark County School District. “As a special education teacher, it is my job to find strengths in the students, and I firmly believe that all of our children have strengths.”
The other finalists were John Arthur from Utah, Maureen Stover from North Carolina, and Alejandro Diasgranados from the District of Columbia.
Urtubey was named Nevada Teacher of the Year in September 2021, the Review Journal reported. She was born in Bogota, Colombia, and grew up in Phoenix, the newspaper reported. Urtubey earned a bachelor’s degree in bilingual general education and a master’s degree in bilingual special education from the University of Arizona, according to the Review Journal.
She has been teaching in the Clark County School District since 2013, the newspaper reported.
The first lady came to Urtubey’s class Thursday with a bouquet of flowers and a letter from President Joe Biden to thank her for her contribution to the education of the country, CBS News reported.
“I’m so excited that Juliana is our National Teacher of the Year, and I’m so proud to be an educator today,” Jill Biden told CBS This Morning. “Look at Juliana – I mean, she’s just the epitome of a great teacher, a great educator.”
Urtubey, who referred to the first lady as her hero, was shocked when the first lady walked into her classroom.
“I was obviously excited. I mean, it’s so amazing, ”Urtubey told CBS This Morning. “And I’m so grateful that the tone of positivity has changed and I’ve focused on education to provide our students with what they need. It is so beautiful.”
As the National Teacher of the Year, Urtubey will receive a paid year free from classroom duties covered by the state and district, the Review Journal reported. The parish council organizes travel and lecture tours according to the organization’s website.
“Juliana is an exceptional teacher and we are so proud to have her representing educators from Nevada and across the nation,” said Jhone Ebert, superintendent of public education for Nevada, in a statement. “It is fitting that Juliana is Nevada’s First National Teacher of the Year as she exemplifies the values of justice and inclusiveness that drive our collective work in support of students and families.”
