This morning, Centennial Physics teacher Timothy Watson was announced as the 2025-26 teacher of the year. Around 9:00 am, a parade of students and staff alike, led by Centennial principal Joelle Miller, marched down to his classroom to surprise him of the notification. There, they presented him with balloons, a certificate, and a commemorative banner. This is the first time he has won this award, having only previously won science teacher of the year in his subject department. He does, however, have experience in giving speeches at graduation. In the spring of 2020 when schools were forced into a virtual setting, a few Centennial students created a virtual graduation occurring on a Minecraft server, where Watson was invited to log on and serve as the official speaker. Now, six years later, he will serve as the official speaker for the class of 2026 at Merriweather Post Pavillion. “It’s a great honor, it feels great that so many students would vote for me. I’ve been joking all day that it’s the award I try every year not to win, knowing this honor comes with a little bit of extra work having to give a speech. Unfortunately, it seems like my students like me too much,” Watson laughed. “But it’s a fantastic feeling to have been voted teacher of the year.” 

Click here to listen to an exclusive sit down conversation with your teacher of the year, Mr. Watson, hosted by the Wingspan!