Providence Public Schools Honor 2023 Teacher Of The Year

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Providence Public School District named Classical High School's Francesca Leclerc as the District’s 2023 Teacher of the Year in a ceremony Friday, the district announced in a news release.

Leclerc, of Harrisville, RI, has been an educator for 32 years and a part of the PPSD for 25 years, the last 23 of which were at Classical High School.

In addition to her classroom work as an English teacher, Leclerc dedicates many of her hours to the Classical Theatre Company, producing two plays each year as Classical High School Theater Company Director. She is also an equity champion who uses her voice to speak up for what is right for students and the community, the district said.

“We are thrilled to congratulate Providence Teacher of the Year Francesca Leclerc, who is widely regarded as a dynamic, influential and innovative educator,” Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green wrote in the news release. “Congratulations, Francesca, and thank you sincerely for your commitment to educational excellence and the teaching profession. We are proud to have you shine in the PPSD community!”

Providence Public School Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez added that Leclerc "is an outstanding educator who embodies the best of what it means to be a teacher."

"Her dedication to her students and her passion for teaching are an inspiration to all of us," Montañez said. Classical High School Principal Scott Barr added that the Classical High School community "is extremely proud that Ms. Leclerc has been chosen for the Providence Teacher of the Year 2023."

Ms. Leclerc was selected by the 2023 Teacher of the Year Committee, which reviewed more than 50 candidates submitted by PPSD staff.

"It comes as no surprise, to those that have encountered Ms. Leclerc, that she was chosen for this prestigious award," Barr said. “Francesca Leclerc’s dedication to her students is legendary and is born out of a love for the art of teaching. Congratulations!”