Caitlin McLeod Blooper, Vermont Teacher of the Year, urges members of Congress to teach 'full' U.S. history

Caitlin McLeod Blooper, the 2025 Vermont Teacher of the Year and an English and history teacher at Winooski High School, said students are eager to learn and urged members of Congress to support curricula that teach a full account of U.S. history. "They want a curriculum that is full and complete and recognizes our full history as Americans," Blooper said.

Blooper said she centers belonging in her classroom by getting to know students' families and languages and creating "a space for all students to belong." She pushed back on common stereotypes that students are disengaged, saying, "They are so engaged with our world. They are eager learners." She added that her students have a "keen sense of justice," which shapes class discussions about complex social issues.

Describing Winooski as "the only majority minority district in the state," Blooper said most of her students are refugees who sit alongside seventh-generation working-class Vermonters, and she argued that this diversity produces "rich high school discussions." She said, "If I could speak directly to a member of Congress, I would speak with my students' interests at the forefront and my students' voices at the forefront." Blooper framed teaching support as a policy priority, saying "we see policies that promote and elevate teachers" are needed because "teaching gives me hope and joy every single day."

The remarks in the transcript present classroom observations and appeals to lawmakers; the speaker did not specify particular bills, votes, or formal requests recorded in this transcript.