Taya Kidd Named 2027 Ohio Teacher of the Year for Championing Young Learners
A second grade teacher in Ohio has been selected as the state’s 2027 Teacher of the Year for her commitment to the learning, development and wellbeing of children both in and out of the classroom.
Taya Kidd, a French Run Elementary School teacher in Reynoldsburg City Schools, was named the honouree in a special school assembly that included students, families, school staff and community members.
After graduating from Central State University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Kidd started teaching. She started out as a substitute teacher, then taught preschool, and then spent nine years at South Scioto Performance Academy.
She has been at French Run Elementary since 2019, where she has served as a second-grade teacher and has been involved in the school’s Building Leadership Team and Professional Development Committee.
Her work with youth is not just in the classroom. Kidd is a DJ for school and community events, and a coach for the freshman girls basketball team at Pickerington North High School.
She is also currently working on her graduate degree in multicultural education at The Ohio State University, continuing her work on how education can help children from diverse backgrounds.
The recognition of teachers by Kidd is significant as it reflects the importance of teachers in children’s development, especially in the early years of formal education when children are developing their academic, social and emotional skills.
As Ohio’s 2027 Teacher of the Year, Kidd will serve as an ambassador for educators and public education across the state. She will also serve as the state of Ohio’s representative for the 2027 National Teacher of the Year selection process.
Her success is a reminder that quality teaching can have a long-term impact on children’s confidence, learning and aspirations beyond the classroom.
