Anne Abbott
Anne Abbott, Family Literacy Program Coordinator at Literacy NRV in Christiansburg, has been named one of five finalists for the 2025 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year award.
The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) recently announced the finalists. For 29 years, NCFL and Toyota have partnered to recognize educators from across the nation who use a strong multigenerational approach to learning and focus on building effective family-school partnerships that support student achievement and school improvement.
Educators from across the country were nominated by their peers or leadership to be considered for the 2025 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year honor. Finalists were chosen based on a variety of criteria, including demonstrating passion and persistence for supporting family engagement and implementing innovative ideas to expand their programs.
The educator selected as the 2025 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year will receive a $20,000 grant to further ongoing family engagement efforts. One runner-up will receive $5,000. The winner and runner-up will be officially announced later this fall; both will also be recognized at the 2025 Families Learning Conference, happening Nov. 2-5, 2025 in Charlotte, N.C.
In addition to Abbott, educators from Alaska, Georgia, Washington D.C. and Colorado were nominated.
“For 29 years, Toyota’s partnership with NCFL has strengthened our commitment to a sustainable future and mobility for all,” says Colleen Casey, PhD, general manager for sustainable development and workforce development at Toyota. “By investing and celebrating our teachers, who shape our future leaders and innovators, together we build stronger communities and drive lasting progress together.”
Since 1997, Toyota Family Teacher of the Year winners, runners-up, and their respective organizations have received $725,000 and funded 58 innovative teacher-led projects.
Staff report
