Meadowlark Teacher Named National Teacher of the Year Finalist
We are excited to announce that John Arthur, a 6th grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School and the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year, has been named one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year.
"I have witnessed firsthand, Mr. Arthur’s commitment to excellence, engaging parents as education partners, and focus on equitable opportunities for all," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sydnee Dickson. "I am grateful that the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Teacher of the Year Committee recognize Mr. Arthur's accomplishments and am proud that he is considered among the best in the nation."
Mr. Arthur's students have gained national recognition as advocates for children and immigrants through the videos they create and share on their YouTube channel, 9thEvermore. He encourages his students to take the lead, coaching them as they craft their content and discover the power of their own voices.
Mr. Arthur found his passion for empowering youth while substitute teaching in Title I classrooms. Inspired by those students, he earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Westminster College. Now, in his eighth year at Meadowlark, he is a National Board Certified Teacher and an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Education at Westminster College. He continues to advance his own learning in meeting the needs of all students, earning a Master of Education in K-6 Special Education and an English Language Learner endorsement.
Mr. Arthur believes that educational equity is a moral imperative and that a teacher’s perspective is essential when crafting educational policy. He has chaired the Social Justice Committee for the Salt Lake Education Association and currently represents the Asian community on the Utah State Board of Education’s Advisory Committee on Equity. He is also helping revise Utah’s K-6 Social Studies Standards.
A committed advocate for students, Mr. Arthur has spoken at conferences including the National Association for Multicultural Education, the Utah Education Association, and the Open Education Resources Project, and delivered the 2018 keynote at the Leadership and Inquiry for Turnaround Conference.
Congratulations to Mr. Arthur!