Aug. 22, 2024 -- Four educators in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District earned their initial or renewal Ohio Department of Education Master Teacher designation in 2024. 

Heights High School Mandarin Chinese teacher Dr. Shu Hui Lin and Canterbury Elementary School/Oxford Elementary School Spanish teacher Jessica Valentino-Artman earned their initial Master Teacher designation. 

Roxboro Middle School social studies teacher Yolanda Harris and Heights High School English teacher Courtney White earned their renewal Master Teacher designation.

According to the Ohio Department of Education, a Master Teacher demonstrates excellence inside and outside of the classroom through consistent leadership and focused collaboration to maximize student learning. A Master Teacher strives for distinguished teaching and continued professional growth as specified by the Standards for Ohio Teachers.

Master Teacher candidates, who have worked at least seven years under a teaching contract, apply to earn this designation through a portfolio they develop throughout the school year. 

There are five focus areas in the portfolio that need to be supported by evidence: Consistent Leadership; Focused Collaboration; Distinguished Teaching – Focus on Students and Environment; Distinguished Teaching - Focus on Content, Instruction, and Assessment; and Continued Professional Growth.