EAST PROVIDENCE —  Whiteknact Elementary School instructor Aimee Couto has been chosen as the 2024 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year.

The announcement was made during a surprise event at the school Tuesday, June 6, by dignitaries locally and from around the state including Governor Dan McKee, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green and East Providence Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sandra Forand.

Current Rhode Island Teacher of the Year Lisa Leaheey, an English instructor at North Providence High School, presented the award to her successor.

As Teacher of the Year, Couto will work with RIDE throughout the upcoming 2023-2024 school year to support education statewide, including strengthening professional development and engaging classrooms. She will also represent Rhode Island in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

It's a bit confusing, but the state teacher of the year selection is a year behind chronologically, according to Forand. Couto was actually tabbed as Whiteknact's top instructor and eventually chosen as East Providence's District Teacher of the Year for the current term, 2022-23.

Last month, Riverside Middle School's Kristyn-Anne Pinheiro was chosen not only as her building's instructor of the year but as the 2023-24 East Providence School District Teacher of the Year. She will be considered for the state award for the 2024-25 term, Forand added.

Back to Couto, she is currently a first and fourth grade teacher, who was lauded by her peers as a “remarkable and inspiring professional” and “mentor and collaborative educator.”

She also helps guide various programs centered around positive social and emotional development at Whiteknact, serves on the school improvement team and is the district’s Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) facilitator.

“The East Providence School community is extremely proud that Aimee Couto is the State Teacher of the Year,” said Forand. “Aimee represents all of the amazing educators in our district and across the state.

"Aimee is committed to excellence in her classroom and professional learning as a practitioner. She has played a leading role in facilitating professional development in the science of reading in East Providence schools. This honor and opportunity will allow Aimee to share her passion, knowledge, and expertise with educators across the state.

"Congratulations to Aimee, this is a proud day for the entire East Providence School community.”

Growing up labeled a struggling reader, Couto has made it a focus not to label any of her students. She strives to instill a positive growth mindset that all students can do anything they set their minds to with time and practice. Couto is a strong advocate for project-based learning and the Science of Reading.

“Aimee’s tireless efforts in nurturing a love for literacy have not only enriched the lives of her students but have also set them on a lifelong path of exploration and self-discovery. Her ability to unlock the wonders of language and inspire young minds to find their voice is truly remarkable,” said Infante-Green. “We look forward to partnering and learning from Aimee in her new role as Rhode Island Teacher of the Year. Congratulations!”

Couto holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College. She began her career in education teaching preschool through second grade before joining the East Providence School Department. She has taught fourth and first grade for the past 12 years.

In recognizing Couto last year as her building's teacher of the year former Whiteknact principal now the Martin Middle School top administrator Laurie Marchand wrote, “Aimee Couto is a natural leader. She is a fierce advocate for students and their overall success. 

"Her kindness and care towards her students is one of the most admirable things about her. Aimee takes the time to get to know each student on a deep level to ensure they feel safe and loved in her classroom."