New Hampshire Teacher Of The Year For 2023 Named

HUDSON, NH — New Hampshire has a new Teacher of the Year.

Christian Cheetham of Alvirne High School and the Wilbur H. Palmer Career and Technical Education Center in Hudson was named Teacher of the Year Monday at the school. The former Air Force officer was chosen from more than 40 nominations and will serve as the state’s ambassador and also be a contestant for the national designation. Cheetham has been a teacher for about seven years.

Along with teaching, Cheetham oversees the district’s Air Force Junior ROTC elective course program for ninth- to 12th-graders. During the nomination process, he pointed to creating a classroom culture centered around teamwork, good manners, community service, and mutual respect while also pushing students beyond their comfort zone to instill resiliency and universal skills needed in today’s world.”

Frank Edelblut, the commissioner for the New Hampshire Department of Education, said he had shown “exemplary leadership abilities” and a commitment to excellence in the classroom.

“(Cheetham) continues to teach students that today’s world is full of opportunities, and we commend his passion for collaborative teaching, taking on new initiatives, and recognizing that all students are worthy,” he said.

Cheetham’s principal, Steve Beals, called him a man of integrity with exceptional communication skills who has been “an integral part of the school community and offered an infectious ability to share stories about his distinguished military career, support colleagues in and out of school, and support, through multiple service activities, our local American Legion and VFW organizations.”

Christine Brennan, the deputy commissioner, said the selection committee was “overwhelmed with the high-caliber teachers considered for this award,” and the state was lucky to have such a devoted group of educators.

In his application essay, Cheetham wrote, “I think kids and adults are desperate for real experiences. Technology is robbing us of our humanity, and I strive every day to bring the humanity back ... In my opinion, our students are desperate for real mentoring relationships.”

Cheetham will be feted at a dinner in December.

Susan Bradford, a third-grade teacher at the James Mastricola Elementary School in Merrimack, was one of four finalists, along with Jennifer MacLeod, an eighth-grade educator from Hollis Brookline Middle School, and Curt McDermott, who teaches ninth through twelfth grade at Goffstown High School.

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