In a powerful moment celebrating the extraordinary impact of America’s teachers, five exceptional educators were introduced this morning (Monday, May 19) as the National Teachers Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on “CBS Mornings.” With a collective 135 years of classroom experience spanning from New Jersey to Hawaii, these educators exemplify dedication, innovation and the transformative power of teaching.
This year’s inductees are:
- Michael Dunlea III, fifth-grade teacher, Kenneth R. Olson Middle School — Tabernacle, New Jersey;
- Tom Jenkins, retired STEM and science teacher, Greenon Junior Senior High School — Enon, Ohio;
- Dr. Valerie Camille Jones Ford, middle school math teacher and mathematics department chair, Ron Clark Academy — Atlanta, Georgia;
- Michelle Pearson, social studies teacher, Century Middle School — Thornton, Colorado; and
- Dr. Pascale Creek Pinner, eighth-grade science teacher, Hilo Intermediate School — Hilo, Hawaii.
The honorees received surprise notifications of their selection at their schools earlier this spring. Thanks to a new collaboration between the National Teachers Hall of Fame and “CBS Mornings,” all five were flown to New York City to be celebrated together on national television.
“Recognizing great educators is not just a celebration — it’s a statement about what we value as a nation,” said Maddie Fennell, executive director of the National Teachers Hall of Fame. “These five outstanding teachers embody excellence, compassion and commitment to students. We are thrilled to partner with CBS to shine a well-deserved national spotlight on the people shaping the future of our country.”
Next month, the 2025 inductees will travel to Emporia, Kansas — home of the National Teachers Hall of Fame — for Induction Week. Activities will include touring the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka and participating in a panel discussion, receiving a city proclamation and doing media events. On Friday June 20, at 10 a.m. they will participate in the rededication of the National Memorial to Fallen Educators by laying wreaths at the monument. Their formal induction ceremony will be held the evening of Friday, June 20, at Emporia State University.
Established in 1989, the Hall of Fame honors career teachers from public, private, and parochial schools across the country. To be eligible, nominees must have at least 20 years of full-time classroom teaching and go through a rigorous selection process including essays, recommendations, and interviews.
The mission of the National Teachers Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor exceptional career teachers, encourage excellence in education, and preserve the rich legacy of the teaching profession in the United States.
To learn more or to nominate a teacher for the Class of 2026, visit https://nthf.org.