PORT ANGELES — Roosevelt Elementary teacher Kathryn Lebuis Hartman is the Regional Teacher of the Year for 2020 in Olympic Educational Service District 114.

Washington’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes as many as 10 regional finalists and selects one state Teacher of the Year annually.

This state Teacher of the Year is Washington’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year.

Regional finalists attend a day of interviews followed by a weekend leadership retreat in Olympia. The state superintendent announces the Teacher of the Year the following Monday during a Teacher of the Year award ceremony in Seattle.

Olympic Educational Service District 114 covers Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas.

Last year, Karen Doran, Roosevelt Elementary teacher, attended the event in Seattle as the 2019 Regional Teacher of the Year and a finalist for the state award.

Hartman, a fourth-grade teacher, was nominated by a Roosevelt parent, Angela Loushin.

Hartman grew up in Port Angeles and attended Port Angeles School District schools. She is in her sixth year of teaching at Roosevelt Elementary. Prior to that she taught in Las Vegas, NV.

Hartman was joined by husband Jason Hartman, son Tyson and daughter Kira for a reception in Roosevelt’s library after school last Monday, June 10, where Principal Michelle Olsen made the announcement to the staff.

“As responsible adults shaping the lives of children, educators teach more than academic skills. We are role models and teachers of social and emotional learning,” Hartman said.

“I work to create a classroom community where students feel safe enough to learn academics and become lifelong learners using positive relationships as the foundation of my academic instruction.”

“Our Roosevelt team is so proud of Kathryn Hartman and the work she does every day to support all kids,” said Roosevelt principal-to-be Jennifer Van De Wege.

“She is a building leader in both academic rigor and social-emotional needs of children and is an excellent choice of representation of our entire region moving forward into the state teacher of the year selection process.”

Said Superintendent Marty Brewer: “Port Angeles is fortunate to have outstanding educators in our district. This is yet another example of tremendous work our staff puts in. We are very proud of Kathryn’s commitment to students and families of Port Angeles School District.”

Hartman with husband Jason Hartman, son Tyson Hartman, Stevens Middle School seventh-grader and daughter Kira Hartman, Roosevelt Elementary third-grader. (Patsene Dashiell/Port Angeles School District)