Juliana Urtubey, an elementary special education teacher in Las Vegas, is the third special educator to receive the national honor in the program’s nearly seven-decade history. Known as Ms. Earth, Urtubey has built a school garden, where she leads classes and teaches students about character and growth mindset.
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Emma Patti Harris is a deputy managing editor for Education Week who oversees visuals and immersive experiences.
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Madeline Will is an assistant managing editor for Education Week, leading coverage of school leadership and general education trends.
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