Taya Kidd is Named Ohio Teacher of the Year!

The State Board of Education of Ohio is proud to announce that Taya Kidd, a second-grade teacher at French Run Elementary School in the Reynoldsburg City School District, has been named the 2027 Ohio Teacher of the Year. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Philip H. Wagner made the surprise public announcement today during a schoolwide assembly at French Run Elementary School.

“Ohio’s students interact every day with amazing teachers, so the challenge of selecting just one educator to represent tens of thousands of wonderful educators around our state is daunting,” said Superintendent Wagner. “Each year the selection committees at the regional and state levels do an amazing job of finding a candidate who reflects the excellence of the profession and their colleagues, and this year is no exception.”

Kidd currently teaches second grade, serves on the building leadership team, is part of the professional development committee, and also coaches basketball for the Pickerington North High School women's freshman team.

“Taya Kidd represents the best of what every educator should aspire to be; dedicated and passionate with a great balance of high expectations for all students coupled with the will to provide whatever support students need to be successful,” Dr. Wagner said. “I couldn’t be more excited, on behalf of the State Board of Education, to congratulate her on this incredible achievement.”

With 18 years of early childhood and elementary education experience, Kidd has a passion for making every child feel valued and capable, and she has built a reputation as an innovative and impactful educator in her building. In Kidd’s classroom, you might find students learning upside down, glowing in the dark, dancing, or watching their teacher walk across a table. All in the name of deep, joyful learning, Kidd believes students learn best when they are having fun, and she has mastered the art of what she calls "controlled chaos".

“I am incredibly proud of Taya Kidd for being named Ohio Teacher of the Year. This is an extraordinary accomplishment and a tremendous honor that reflects her unwavering dedication to her students, her commitment to excellence in education, and the positive difference she makes every day,” said Dr. Tracy Reed, Reynoldsburg City School District Superintendent. “Having an Ohio Teacher of the Year representing our district is a tremendous source of pride. Taya’s achievement celebrates not only her individual excellence, but also the incredible educators and staff who make a difference in the lives of our students every day.”

Kidd has an extraordinary gift to reach every student, especially those who struggle to connect with others. She meets each child where they are and refuses to leave them there. She holds her students to high expectations and believes that every child can achieve success. As the ambassador for teaching and public education, she hopes to reframe perceptions about the teaching profession and “zoom in” to share the good things happening in Ohio’s classrooms. Kidd’s principal, Mr. Rodney Fetty, shared that, “Taya Kidd is the kind of educator who reminds us what great teaching is really about. She begins by building genuine relationships with her students. She believes in what each student can accomplish and creates a classroom where every child feels valued, supported, and challenged to grow. She doesn’t simply teach lessons. She creates classroom experiences that help students discover what they are capable of and makes a lasting difference in the lives of the children she serves.”

“I feel honored to have been able to see Taya show her passion for her students and teaching through the Ohio Teacher of the Year process. It is a reminder of how lucky Ohio is to have talented teachers like Taya,” State Board of Education President Paul LaRue said.

About Taya Kidd
Taya Kidd started her teaching career as a substitute teacher after graduating from Central State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She then taught preschool at Brightside Academy for a year before joining the teaching staff at South Scioto Performance Academy for 9 years. She has been at French Run Elementary School since 2019, teaching second grade and serving on the Building Leadership Team and
Professional Development Committee. Outside of school, she is a coach for the Pickerington North High School Freshman women’s basketball team, is a DJ as “Ms. Cool Kidd” for school and community events, a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and is pursuing a graduate degree in multicultural education at The Ohio State University. 

About the Ohio Teacher of the Year Program
Earlier this year, school administrators, fellow educators, parents, students and community members nominated teachers for Ohio’s State Board District Teacher of the Year. In July, Kidd received the State Board District 6 Teacher of the Year recognition– one of 11 teachers statewide to receive the district-level honor. From the field of 11, Kidd was one of four teachers named as a finalist for Ohio Teacher of the Year. As the Ohio Teacher of the Year, Kidd will
serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession and public education and represent Ohio in the 2027 National Teacher of the Year selection and programming sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers.

The Ohio Teacher of the Year program began in 1964. Details about the selection process, the list of previous recipients and additional program information are available on the State Board of Education website.