Alumna Dana Miles named Washington State Teacher of the Year

Dana Miles, ’98 & G-’00, a teacher at the Washington School for the Deaf in Vancouver, Washington, has been named the 2023 Washington State Teacher of the Year. Miles received the award from State Superintendent Chris Reykdal at the 2022 Educator Awards Ceremony on Monday, September 12. Reykdal praised the “phenomenal” work Miles does to prepare her students for life after high school.

“What’s valuable to me is education and access (for) individuals and breaking down those barriers that are before them,” said Miles. “I can’t forget the students, they are my ‘why.’ They’re the ones who have helped me, who have been that burning, bright light that I carry forward.”

Miles is in her eleventh year of teaching. She has spent the last six years teaching Work Experience and Applied Bilingual Language Arts at WSD. She will now move forward to the competition for the National Teacher of the Year award, the winner of which will be announced in Spring 2023.

Congratulations, Dana!