Educators from Virginia, Alaska, Georgia, Colorado, and Washington DC are in the running to receive $20,000 to support family engagement in their communities.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is excited to announce the finalists for the 2025 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year. For 29 years, NCFL and Toyota have partnered to recognize educators from across the nation who use a strong multigenerational approach to learning and focus on building effective family-school partnerships that support student achievement and school improvement.
Educators from across the country were nominated by their peers or leadership to be considered for the 2025 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year honor. Finalists were chosen based on a variety of criteria, including demonstrating passion and persistence for supporting family engagement and implementing innovative ideas to expand their programs.
The educator selected as the 2025 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year will receive a $20,000 grant to further ongoing family engagement efforts. One runner-up will receive $5,000. The winner and runner-up will be officially announced later this fall; both will also be recognized at the 2025 Families Learning Conference, happening November 2-5, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2025 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year finalists:
- Anne Abbott, Family Literacy Program Coordinator at Literacy NRV in Christiansburg, Virginia
- Dale Ebcas, Special Education Teacher/Lead Teacher at Joseph and Olinga Gregory Elementary School in Kalskag, Alaska
- Shalun Matthews, Director of SAFE Center and Community Engagement at Fulton County Schools in Atlanta, Georgia
- Paige Reuber, Adult Education Lead Teacher at Briya Public Charter School in Washington, DC
- Cynthia Valdez, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Teacher at Mesa View Elementary in Grand Junction, Colorado
“For 29 years, Toyota’s partnership with NCFL has strengthened our commitment to a sustainable future and mobility for all,” says Colleen Casey, PhD, general manager for sustainable development and workforce development at Toyota. “By investing and celebrating our teachers, who shape our future leaders and innovators, together we build stronger communities and drive lasting progress together.”
Since 1997, Toyota Family Teacher of the Year winners, runners-up, and their respective organizations have received $725,000 and funded 58 innovative teacher-led projects. For a full list of past winners, visit NCFL’s website.
About the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL)
NCFL is a national nonprofit that has worked for more than 35 years to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families. We believe education is a shared, nonpartisan responsibility and that collaboration among families, schools, and community members can lead to powerful learning experiences. NCFL’s vision is to establish coordinated and aligned family learning systems in 60 communities, built with and for families, to increase education and economic outcomes and create thriving communities. For more information on NCFL, visit familieslearning.org. To learn more about our vision or become a Family Learning Community™ partner, visit familieslearning.org/flc.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Foster Parish
Director, Communications
Cell: 703-472-5997
[email protected]
SOURCE National Center for Families Learning
