Meet the Winners of TeachKind’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Contest 

May is National Teacher Appreciation Month, and each year, TeachKind awards one top teacher for their engaging and empathy-boosting pedagogy. In honor of the endless ways that educators change the world, please join us in celebrating the winners and runners-up of our 2025 Teacher of the Year Contest. We heard from educators across the U.S. who embody the concept of “feeding two birds with one scone”, providing high-quality academic instruction while simultaneously helping students become clever and compassionate changemakers.

For the first time, we’re thrilled to recognize outstanding teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels whose commitment to humane education is transforming lives both in and out of the classroom.  

Thank you to everyone who entered or nominated someone for this year’s contest. With an abundance of inspiring entries, selecting honorees was no easy feat, but these educators will surely impress and inspire you as much as they did us. Meet the remarkable 2025 Teacher of the Year winners and runners-up: 

TeachKind’s 2025 Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Nicole Rivera (Washington Rose Elementary School, Roosevelt, NY) 

A Nationally Board-Certified educator from Hempstead, New York, Nicole is the epitome of what it means to be a compassionate, innovative, and inspiring teacher. By seamlessly incorporating empathy and respect into her fifth-grade curriculum, she empowers her students to consider how their everyday choices impact animals and the planet we share.

Through her thoughtful lessons on topics ranging from the rainforest to sustainability, Nicole leads her students to explore the ethical, environmental, and personal benefits of a vegan lifestyle. She provides learners with a clear but age-appropriate look into the lives of animals on factory farms, sparking critical thinking and meaningful dialogue about speciesism and the Golden Rule. By integrating animal rights alongside lessons on human rights, she supports her students in developing a holistic understanding of justice and compassion. With videos from PETA that illustrate what factory farming looks like posted to their Google Classroom and student-created activism work displayed proudly on bulletin boards, Nicole’s classroom is a hub of learning, action, and empowerment.

Thanks to her dedication, the annual Liberation Summer Meet the Author event with Stewart Mitchell has become a cherished fifth-grade tradition at her school, igniting thoughtful discussions about animal rights and making kind choices. Students often come to her with questions about product ingredients or to share vegan finds, and families report that kids are bringing these lessons home, choosing plant-based meals, and encouraging more conscious choices at the dinner table. Students leave her class not only understanding where their food comes from but also eager to use their voices to advocate for animals and the world around them.

From collaborating with colleagues to offer plant-based options during school events, to stocking the main office with TeachKind materials, and even transforming the PBIS snack sale into a fully vegan reward store, Nicole has made kindness to animals a celebrated part of her school culture. Her dedication to compassion shines beyond her local community; she regularly volunteers to support teachers in Jamaica through the GreatShape! program, and embodies the belief that “one person, no matter how small, can make a difference.” Nicole’s remarkable commitment to animals proves that humane education isn’t just powerful, it’s a transformative part of creating a kinder world.

Congratulations, Nicole, and thank you for all that you do for animals! 

TeachKind’s 2025 Middle School Teacher of the Year

Caroline Combemale (PA Distance Learning Charter School, Sewickley, PA) 

A dedicated educator at PA Distance Learning Charter School, Caroline has woven empathy and animal rights into the very fabric of her 7th-grade science curriculum. Through a powerful blend of scientific rigor and compassionate teaching, she transforms students’ views of animals and the world around them, providing a launchpad for meaningful change.

Caroline’s work helps students explore ethical ways to address environmental challenges, such as reducing energy loss in the food chain and finding compassionate responses to invasive species that avoid harming animals. By guiding students through topics ranging from deforestation’s effects on biodiversity to animals at roadside zoos, to empowering them to boycott palm oil after learning about its devastating impact on orangutans, Caroline helps them make deep, personal connections to real-world issues by drawing their own conclusions. As one student put it, “Humans are the invasive species,” a reflection of the critical thinking she fosters.

Rather than using animals in the classroom, she shares videos and stories of her rescued companions at home—George the diabetic cat, Elvira the rehabilitated leopard gecko, and a whole beloved crew of adopted rabbits and guinea pigs—teaching her students that animals are individuals, not classroom tools. Through this and more, Caroline empowers her students not just to learn about science, but to live it with heart. Her commitment to kindness extends beyond the school day: She runs multiple clubs and tutoring groups, participates in protests, collaborates with legal authorities to hold animal abusers accountable, and even uses her small business to promote the Plant Based Treaty and raise funds for her favorite animal sanctuary.

What sets Caroline apart is her unwavering commitment to modeling empathy. A vegan since age 12 after discovering what happens in the dairy and egg industries, she’s never stopped using her voice to advocate for animals. In every aspect of her work, Caroline models that kindness is not just a lesson, it’s a lifestyle. We’re honored to celebrate her as a true hero for animals and a shining example of what humane education can be.

Congratulations, Caroline, and thank you for all that you do for animals! 

TeachKind’s 2025 High School Teacher of the Year

Dena Ferreira (South Bronx Community Charter High School, Bronx, NY) 

Based in the South Bronx, Dena is a powerhouse of empathy, authenticity, and activism. A Teach for America educator, she uses animal rights as a catalyst to spark critical thinking and authentic learning in her classroom, inspiring her students to question the world around them and find their voices through powerful, persuasive writing. A student who nominated Dena described her as “nice, responsible, and not easy to get around”—the perfect balance of warmth and accountability. She’s the kind of teacher who changes lives, leading by example with her advocacy, compassion, and vegan lifestyle. Her impactful Food, Inc. unit, which kicks off with student reflections on the lives of animals used for food, gives teens something real and relevant to explore—and they rise to the challenge. By allowing students to conduct authentic research, scaffolding lessons with PETA videos and resources, and leading them through deep discussions and imagery-based reflections on animal liberation, Dena doesn’t just teach English; she cultivates empathy. Whether guiding them in their analysis of their favorite processed foods or how to conduct meaningful interviews, Dena’s intersectional approach to teaching inspires students to examine their own choices and become thoughtful, informed advocates.

What makes Dena’s classroom so special is the authentic engagement she sparks. Inspired by a writing prompt, one student penned a moving poem from a chicken’s perspective, now proudly displayed. At the same time, another crafted a compelling essay titled “Lost Lives,” calling for reform in farming practices. However, students don’t just watch documentaries and write essays; they connect with the material personally and are moved to action. Many leave her classroom questioning norms, sharing eye-opening facts with their families, and even making lifestyle changes to reduce their impact on animals.

Dena’s dedication to kindness is rooted in a powerful personal journey, and her resilience shines through every lesson. Inspired to go vegan by the story of a grieving mother cow, she models the compassion she hopes to instill. Supported by her administration, Dena has made humane education a meaningful part of her school culture, all while staying true to her mission to uplift youth, animals, and marginalized voices. Whether she’s whipping up plant-based cupcakes for school celebrations, participating in letter-writing campaigns to companies like Perdue, or encouraging colleagues to screen documentaries like Seaspiracy for their class, Dena’s commitment to cultivating changemakers is steadfast. With her rescue chihuahua, Graham, by her side and the support of a school community that embraces her vision, she proves that when you teach with heart, students lead with theirs.

Congratulations, Dena, and thank you for all that you do for animals! 

TeachKind’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Runners-Up 

Brianna Chick (Somerset Academy Losee Campus, North Las Vegas, NV)

A passionate educator at Somerset Academy’s Losse Campus in Las Vegas, Brianna creates powerful spaces for middle and high school students to develop compassion for animals. A previous nominee whose dedication to activism continues to grow, Brianna pours her heart into expanding and enriching her school’s Animal Rescue Club—a thriving group of more than 30 young changemakers. Thanks to her initiative, club members have had the chance to explore a diverse range of animal rights topics firsthand, including participating in TeachKind Science’s first virtual Kind Frog dissection workshop, uncovering the realities of animal testing with Dr. Katherine Roe, screening eye-opening documentaries like Breaking the Chain, and more. Her creative approach has led students to become passionate advocates themselves, some even educating younger classmates on why kindness to animals matters.

Beyond the club, Brianna brings animal rights into her 8th-grade English and History classes by encouraging students to write persuasively about topics like ending animal testing and the significance of ‘adopt don’t shop’ initiatives. By setting the stage for essential discussions on these and other pressing issues, she motivates students to think critically about their everyday choices and often inspires them to make lifestyle changes and speak up for animals beyond the classroom. Brianna’s commitment doesn’t end when the bell rings—she also volunteers with multiple cat rescue organizations throughout the Las Vegas Valley and educates the community about responsible guardianship.

Whether she’s coordinating a vegan pizza party to introduce students to cruelty-free eating or helping a cat in need of finding their forever home, Brianna’s commitment to instilling empathy, promoting animal-friendly practices, and empowering others to be kind is truly remarkable. Her energy, creativity, and genuine passion for animal rights have not only inspired her students and colleagues but also brought her school community closer to a more compassionate future. TeachKind is proud to recognize Brianna for inspiring the next generation to lead with empathy, and we can’t wait to see how her seeds of kindness continue to grow!

Thank you, Brianna, for all that you do for animals! 

Jaimene Montrice Washington (Pacifica High School, Oxnard, CA) 

An experienced English teacher at Pacifica High School, a Title I school in Oxnard, California, Jaimene is transforming lives through her unwavering commitment to making compassion accessible for all students. A passionate vegan and lifelong learner, she empowers her students not through pressure but through knowledge, choice, and action. Whether she’s incorporating thought-provoking texts like The Jungle into her lessons, using TeachKind’s Challenging Assumptions program, or screening “How Bigotry Begins” to spark critical discussions, Jaimene equips young minds with the tools they need to question, reflect, and lead.

Outside of English class, Jaimene advises The Kind Club, a student-led group she founded that meets monthly to spotlight different animal species and educate peers about actionable ways to help. From organizing educational events to coordinating free vegan lunches (sometimes for over 60 students!), she works tirelessly to create an inclusive space where kindness is the norm. With help from compassionate businesses like Hart House and Oatly, she keeps her classroom stocked with animal-free snacks and non-dairy drinks so that students have considerate choices, which is what education is all about. When students voiced concerns about animal dissection and limited vegan cafeteria choices, Jaimene didn’t hesitate— she helped them advocate by reaching out for humane alternatives like Kind Frog herself. Through this and more, Jaimene’s classroom has become a refuge, not just for learning, but for living out values of empathy and justice.

Her advocacy extends beyond the school walls: she contacts major companies like See’s Candy and The Cheesecake Factory to encourage the development of vegan products and challenges long-standing norms around food in public schools. From the backyard sanctuary she’s building at home to the vibrant community of kindness she’s fostering at school and with her family, Jaimene leads by example but doesn’t impose her beliefs—she informs, inspires, and ignites a spark in her students and community. In Jaimene’s words, “If we know a better way to do something, we have a responsibility to do that.” TeachKind is honored to celebrate Jaimene and her powerful mission to ensure that every student knows they have a choice and that their choices can help create a more just world for all.

Thank you, Jaimene, for all that you do for animals!  

***** 

Congratulations to these kind teachers, and thank you again to everyone who entered or nominated a kind educator for the contest. Every teacher can help instill empathy and kindness in their students, just like our Teacher of the Year winners and runners-up. By sharing our collective work to make the world a kinder place for all, we can inspire those around us to make changes in the way they talk to and teach the children in their lives. 

Are you ready to up your game for next year’s contest and put yourself in the running to be TeachKind’s 2026 Teacher of the Year? We’re here to support you! Sign up to receive TeachKind’s newsletter below for year-round inspiration, resources, and guidance for incorporating kindness to animals into your curriculum—and don’t forget to follow TeachKind on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, TPT, and Kahoot!