Sayre Posey, a U.S. history teacher at Northwest Middle School, is known for her engaging historical reenactments and her students’ impressive track record of winning National History Day competitions.
These accomplishments, among many others, earned her the title of 2025 Utah Teacher of the Year. Posey was honored with a $10,000 check Thursday night during a celebratory banquet at the Utah Capitol.
A committee of Utah State Board of Education representatives, parent and teacher advocacy organizations, and charter schools selected Posey from a pool of five finalists. The four other finalists, who each received a $2,000 prize, are:
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Andru Jones, a special education teacher and football coach at Viewmont High School in the Davis School District.
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Andrea Settle, an English teacher at Juab High School in the Juab School District.
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Shari Payne, a kindergarten teacher at Wasatch Elementary in the Provo City School District.
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Seyyed Sharifi, a post-high special education teacher at Hartvigsen School in the Granite School District.
Teachers are considered for the honor if they have shown “exceptional commitment to students” and made unique contributions that “enhance diversity and value in the community,” according to a July USBE news release.
Posey, who hails from a family of educators, began her career volunteering with at-risk students during college. She taught in Baltimore before moving to Utah, where she previously led the Youth in Care program at West Jordan High School. Posey has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the 2016 Maryland Teacher of Promise award and, earlier this year, the 2025 Salt Lake City School District Teacher of the Year.
She will compete with her fellow state teachers of the year in a national competition and participate in a number of other state and national leadership opportunities.