Matt Karasek, an English language learners teacher at East Ridge High School, and Jennifer Thorne, a second grade teacher at Middleton Elementary, have been named candidates for the 2013 Teacher of the Year award. Matt Karasek, an English language learners teacher at East Ridge High School, and Jennifer Thorne, a second grade teacher at Middleton Elementary, have been named candidates for the 2013 Teacher of the Year award.