Kurt Russell Teacher of Year 2022
Kurt Russell is a veteran teacher at Oberlin High School in the Oberlin City Schools District in Ohio who believes education can transform students’ lives. For the past 25 years, Russell has included cultural relevance in the curriculum for the 9th-12th grade classes he teaches: African-American history; U.S. history; IB history of the Americas; and Race, Gender and Oppression. Russell received teacher of the year awards from the Oberlin Heritage Center in 2009 and the Oberlin Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 2019. He also serves as an adviser for the Black 
Student Union, Student Council and Junior Class. As head coach of the boys varsity basketball team, he has received numerous awards, including the Northeast Ohio Coach of the Year.
Russell decided to become a teacher when he was in middle school. He was inspired by his math teacher, who was the first Black male teacher he had in school, and enjoyed learning about history. Russell received his bachelor of arts degree with a major in history and minor in Black studies at the College of Wooster, and an honorary doctorate. He obtained a master of education in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University and continues to take courses in child development at Oakland City University.
April 19, 2022