Aimee Couto, a first and fourth grade teacher at Emma G. Whiteknact Elementary School in East Providence, has been named the 2024 "Rhode Island Teacher of the Year" by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Mrs. Couto is recognized for her exceptional teaching skills and her ability to inspire her students to love learning. She is a strong advocate of project-based learning and the science of reading, and she has created a structured classroom environment where all her students thrive. Mrs. Couto is also known for her dedication to continuously improving her teaching practices and ensuring that her students have the resources they need to succeed. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Couto will have the opportunity to work with the Rhode Island Department of Education and represent Rhode Island as a National Teacher of the Year.