NEW BEDFORD — A teacher at New Bedford High School has been named the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year for 2020.

Takeru Nagayoshi, an AP English teacher at New Bedford High School, was named the 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year on Wednesday.

The announcement was made by Massachusetts Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley in the Beardsworth-Gonsalves Gymnasium at New Bedford High School.

"He works hard to prepare students for AP exams," said Commissioner Riley, "but he also works hard to prepare them for life, helping them do research into subjects that matter to them, helping them learn from each other, and helping them deliver polished presentations, even as 9th graders. He helps students who aren't even in his class anymore."

"He cares deeply about New Bedford. He works with teachers throughout New England and learns from his peers and students."

Nagayoshi has worked in the English Department of New Bedford High School for approximately five years.

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