Robert Hand is Washington state's 2019 teacher of the year. There is one key factor he feels makes a difference in students' lives -- connection. And Washington is falling short of it through its lack of diversity among the teaching force. 

<p>Robert Hand is Washington state's 2019 teacher of the year. There is one key factor he feels makes a difference in students' lives -- connection. And Washington is falling short of it through its lack of diversity among the teaching force.&nbsp;</p>

Dave Ross and Colleen O’Brien bring you the day’s most important news stories every weekday. Along with Chris Sullivan on traffic and KIRO 7 TV’s Nick Allard, it’s everything you need to get your day started right. 

<p>Dave Ross and Colleen O’Brien bring you the day’s most important news stories every weekday. Along with Chris Sullivan on traffic and KIRO 7 TV’s Nick Allard, it’s everything you need to get your day started right. </p>

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