Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today applauded the 12 Pennsylvania educators who are in the running to be named the Commonwealth’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.
“Ask anyone if they remember the teacher who inspired them most, and nearly everyone will immediately smile and name an educator from their past,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “Excellent educators make a lifelong impact on the learners they serve each day in classrooms across the Commonwealth, and these 12 finalists demonstrate the qualities needed in a great teacher—supportive, engaged, and passionate about the learners in their care.”
The 12 finalists are:
- Whitney Bellomo, Dallastown Area School District, York County
- Nicole Birkbeck, Council Rock School District, Bucks County
- Katherine Blandino-Nienhuls, Pittsburgh Public School District, Allegheny County
- Renee Decker, Central York School District, York County
- Madeline Loring, Jefferson-Morgan School District, Greene County
- Jenna Love, Elizabethtown Area School District, Lancaster County
- Jennifer Nesser, Laurel Highlands School District, Fayette County
- Ashley Oldham, Big Spring School District, Cumberland County
- Andrea Rutledge, Hempfield School District, Lancaster County
- Rachel Sebastian, Governor Mifflin School District, Berks County
- Rebecca Showalter, Mount Lebanon School District, Allegheny County
- Elizabeth Troxell, Penns Valley Area School District, Centre County
Pennsylvania’s 2026 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a state awards ceremony in early December 2025 and will represent the Commonwealth at various local, regional, and national functions culminating in the National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House.
Through the National State Teacher of the Year (NSTOY) program, PDE identifies and honors exemplary teaching and classroom practices across the Commonwealth. NSTOY annually recognizes a professional who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; who has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues; and who plays an active and useful role in both school and community.
The 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, named last December at PDE’s SAS Institute, was Leon Smith, a secondary teacher at Haverford High School in the Haverford Township School District in Havertown. He has spent 22 years at the district and teaches 9th grade Honors and Advanced Placement Social Studies, as well as 10th-12th grade African American Studies. Mr. Smith holds a Bachelors in Secondary Social Studies Education from the University of Maryland at College Park, a Masters in Educational Leadership in Technology Integration from Pennsylvania State University, and a PK-12 Principal certification from Cabrini University.
Last month, the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Ashlie Crosson, was named the National Teacher of the Year—the first-ever Pennsylvanian to receive that honor. Crosson teaches Grade 10 English, AP Language, & Composition at Mifflin County High School in the Mifflin County School District in Lewistown.
Learn more about Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year program on PDE’s website.