English teacher Michelle Roundy of Jacksonville, Wyoming, has been named her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: CCSSO NTOY

There are many outstanding teachers working in American classrooms, and there are times when one of them may be singled out for special recognition. One of these is Michelle Roundy, an English teacher from Wyoming who was named her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Michelle Roundy teaches courses in English 10, Advanced Placement (AP) Preparation 10, and AP Literature and Composition at Jackson Hole High School in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

She also serves as an instructional coach there, supporting teachers in meeting the needs of the school’s diverse learners.

Michelle says her approach to teaching has been grounded in building relationships and trust over the years. She always has genuine interest in her students, she declares, and makes sure they know she cares about them and their success.

“There is something magically compelling about being in a room with 25 students as they learn, holding space for them as they navigate failure and championing them as they achieve success,” asserts Michelle. “It’s like being a part of an orchestra, and although I am responsible for guiding them as they learn, it is their individual and collective engagement that ultimately creates this relational harmony, one in which all time stops and the only thing that matters is the relationships in the room,” she concludes.

Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Humanities and a minor in Spanish from Oregon State University in 2006. In 2010, she earned her Master’s in Teaching with a focus on English and Humanities at the same institution, where she was recognized with the Distinguished Student Award. She is also National Board Certified. Her career as an educator spans 18 years, 16 of them at Jackson Hole High School.