Leah Juelke, the 2018 North Dakota Teacher of the Year, is a decorated educator whose passion for global education, literacy, and creating a welcoming community for all students earned her a spot as one of the top 10 teachers in the world and a finalist for The Varkey Foundation’s 2020 Global Teacher Prize.
Throughout her 15 year career as an educator, Leah has traveled to over 25 countries, and has taught in Taiwan, Ecuador, China, Costa Rica and Mexico. She has led student adventure trips to the Galapagos, the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Jungle, and around Taiwan. In 2018, Leah traveled to Germany as an EF Teacher Ambassador and was named a NEA Global Learning Fellow in 2019. Leah has also traveled to Tanzania, South Africa and Greece, mentoring pre-service teachers and providing professional development for local educators.
Leah is the director of an international non-profit organization and is also an adjunct professor in the Office of Teaching and Learning at REACH University & North Dakota State University. Prior to her current roles, Leah worked as the Member Engagement Coordinator & Project Manager at NNSTOY and has worked as a high school English teacher, literacy coach, K-12 EL specialist, and debate coach. Leah is fluent in Spanish and holds a Bachelor & degree in English Education and ELL, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Leah is an Army veteran, an author and the founder of the Journey to America Project, which helps to amplify the voices of refugee and immigrant students by successfully creating an environment of inclusion and empathy, while engaging them with the community and empowering them to advocate for social justice. Leah enjoys volleyball, Broadway musicals, photography and spending time with her 2 children and her golden retriever.
