Teachers sculpt minds, ignite curiosity, and shape the future with wisdom and guidance. They sacrifice time, energy, and often personal resources to nurture and educate future generations. In attempts to celebrate our heroes, the DCPS Teacher Appreciation Initiative puts $500 dollars in the hands of one special teacher to help cover any ancillary teaching costs.
2024 Winner - Toran Loft
Toran is a 2nd grade English Language Arts teacher. From a young age, she dreamed of inspiring minds as a teacher, and through unwavering determination and dedication, she made that dream a reality. Today, she is transforming her students' lives with her passion and creativity, leaving an indelible mark on their futures. As of August 2024, she will be going into her 13th year of teaching.
2025 Winner - Kenneth Ford
Kenny is a math and science teacher at Gregory Drive Elementary and has been teaching for 10 years.
When asked what motivates him to continue teaching, he responded “I’ve taught at Title I schools my entire career and to see the growth in the students from year to year is amazing. Many of the students struggle academically and behaviorally but they just need someone, someone who cares, someone who is patient, someone who advocates for them.“