Newport Names 2022-23 Public School Teacher Of The Year

NEWPORT, RI — Newport school officials named Carla Jewell its 2022-23 Newport Public Schools Teacher of the Year on Tuesday.

Jewell, a special education teacher at Claiborne Pell Elementary School, has been an educator in Newport Public Schools since 2004. She began her career teaching fourth grade at the former Carey School before moving to the Frank E. Thompson Middle School for a year teaching special education to sixth graders. Following her year at Thompson, Carla began teaching in the Behavior Support Program at the Dr. Michael H. Sullivan Elementary School on the site of the current Claiborne Pell Elementary School, where she was awarded for continuing to make her mark inspiring students each day.

In addition to teaching her students, Carla collaborated with former students to start the only elementary Best Buddies chapter on Aquidneck Island.

"Carla is a great teacher well deserving of the Teacher of the Year honor," said Tricia Donnelly, a fourth grade teacher at the school and former winner of the award. "She is very motivated, professional and knowledgeable. Her love and compassion for her students is quite evident. Her drive to advocate for each child and determination to help them reach their goals and fullest potential is unwavering. She provides all her students with an authentic sense of belonging. She is truly deserving of this accolade."

Carla Jewell will be publicly recognized as the 2022-2023 Newport Teacher of the Year at Newport Public Education Foundation’s event, An Evening for Education sponsored by the Bazarsky Family Foundation. The ceremoney takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 15 at Sail Newport, 82 Fort Adams Drive.