Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | News | NEW: Rhode Island Teacher of the Year Announced
Tuesday, June 06, 2023
Teacher of the Year Aimee Coutu. PHOTO: RI Governor’s Office
The newest Rhode Island teacher of the year has been named.
Governor Dan McKee, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, Superintendent Dr. Sandra Forand, and 2023 State Teacher of the Year Lisa Leaheey announced on Tuesday the selection of Aimee Couto as the 2024 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year.
Couto began her career in education teaching preschool through second grade before joining the East Providence School Department. She has taught fourth and first grade for the past twelve years.
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“Congratulations to Aimee and the entire East Providence community on this distinguished honor,” said McKee. “As Rhode Island’s Teacher of the Year, you are a proven leader, educational advocate, and inspiration for the next generation. Thank you, Aimee, for your outstanding contribution to Rhode Island. We wish you great success in the year ahead!”
About Couto
Lauded by her peers as a “remarkable and inspiring professional,” and “mentor and collaborative educator,” Couto serves as a leader in many capacities within her school and district. The veteran educator helps guide various programs centered around positive social and emotional development at Whiteknact, serves on the school improvement team, and is the district’s Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) facilitator.
Growing up labeled a struggling reader, Couto has made it a focus not to label any of her students. She strives to instill a positive growth mindset that all students can do anything they set their minds to with time and practice. Couto is a strong advocate for project-based learning and the Science of Reading.
Couto holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College.
As Teacher of the Year, Couto will work with RIDE throughout the 2023-2024 school year to support education statewide, including strengthening professional development and engaging classrooms. She is also eligible to represent Rhode Island as the National Teacher of the Year.
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