Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) recently named Kent Elementary School teacher Denisha Saucedo the 2018 Regional Teacher of the Year.

In April, Saucedo was selected as the Kent School District’s Teacher of the Year.

In her 14 years of teaching sixth grade at Kent Elementary, Saucedo has created a classroom environment rich in opportunity, equity and well-rounded learning, according to a press release from the Kent School District. Saucedo is a mentor teacher, Professional Learning Community team leader, member of several planning and improvement committees, coach of the school’s STOMP dance team and track team and volunteers as a coach for several community youth sports teams.

Saucedo grew up in Kent and graduated from Kent-Meridian High School.

Rosa Villarreal, principal of Kent Elementary, described Saucedo as “a role model teacher. … She has expertise in helping students identify and work on both social emotional and academic needs.”

As Regional Teacher of the Year, Saucedo will attend a weekend-long leadership retreat, tell her inspiring educator story, travel across Washington state to share her expertise and experience with a variety of communities and advocate for educational issues most important to her.

Saucedo is a candidate for the Washington state Teacher of the Year, which will be announced by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in the fall.

One of nine regional educational agencies in Washington, PSESD serves 35 school districts, 200 private schools and 6 charter schools in King and Pierce counties.