High School Early Childhood Development CTE Teacher is Empowering Students: Meet Jill Dwyer, Our May 2026 Honoree

Jill Dwyer, an Early Childhood Development CTE teacher at North Valley High School in Grants Pass, Oregon, is the recipient of our May 2026 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by her student, Ava. Joining Jill in this episode are Ava and Ava's mom, Melissa.

You'll hear about:

- Jill Dwyer's journey to becoming a teacher.

- The impact Jill has had on Ava and her family.

- Jill's dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment for her students.

- Jill's passion for hands-on learning experiences.

You'll also hear from award-winning actress Jennifer Garner, as she shares about the teachers who left an incredible impact on their journey in our segment "Teachers Who Inspired".  Jennifer Garner has enjoyed a successful career at the top of her field in both film and television and has also taken on the role of philanthropist and entrepreneur. As a philanthropist, Garner is a Save the Children Trustee and has worked with the organization since 2008. In 2014, Garner joined the global non-profit’s board of trustees, deepening her commitment to issues affecting children in America and around the world.

Links Mentioned:

- Read more about Jill's story: https://www.honored.org/honoree/jill-dwyer

- Nominate a teacher for our Honored National Teaching Award: https://www.honored.org/nominate/

- Read the incredible nomination for Jill: https://www.honored.org/nominees/jill-dwyer/

- Listen to Jennifer Garner's Honored Advocate for Teachers Award podcast: https://www.honored.org/honoree/jennifer-garner/