The Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Program recognizes excellence in teaching by honoring PreK-12 teachers in public education who have made outstanding academic contributions to Pennsylvania's school-aged children.
Local education agencies (LEAs) are encouraged to acknowledge the efforts of teachers in their community who have worked to achieve excellence in the classroom by nominating an outstanding educator. The nomination form, along with additional information about the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year program, is available on the National State Teacher of the Year - Pennsylvania chapter. Each LEA may nominate a deserving educator from both elementary and secondary levels. Nominations received after December 15 will be considered for the following year.
Twelve (12) finalists are selected from applicants; they participate in interviews and submit a recorded teaching episode that exhibits effective instructional strategies. Finalists are recognized at PDE's annual SAS Institute and the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year is announced.
Sponsored by CCSSO, the national program is the most prestigious teacher recognition program in the country. Each year, CCSSO provides a new cohort of State Teachers of the Year with a yearlong, one-of-a-kind professional learning and development experience. The program is designed to increase each inspiring educator's leadership skills while celebrating their talents and commitment as extraordinary teachers.
From the cohort of State Teachers of the Year, one teacher is selected to be the National Teacher of the Year. It's both a year of honor and one of service. The role of the National Teacher of the Year is to bring national public attention on the importance of excellence in teaching.
Direct questions to Exceptional Educators at RA-EDNominations@pa.gov.
2024 Finalists, National State Teacher of the Year Organization - Pennsylvania Chapter
Anthony Angelini, Conewago Valley School District
Brittney Bell, Carmichaels Area School District
Jonathan Bickel, Eastern Lebanon County School District
Ashlie Crosson, Mifflin County School District
Benjamin Hoffman, Kutztown Area School District
Rachel Kalberer, Norwin School District
Heather Kilgore, Chester County Intermediate Unit
Stephanie Machmer, Jersey Shore Area School District
Aspen Mock, Forest Hills School District
Justin Ward, Laurel Highlands School District
Sharon Williams, Rose Tree Media School District
Sally Ann Wojcik, School District of Philadelphia
Duties and Responsibilities
Year 1 as Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year
- Represent PA teachers at the state level;
- Present as the keynote speaker at various conferences, school districts, intermediate units, and/or colleges/universities;
- Facilitate workshops and/or professional development sessions for school districts, intermediate units, and/or colleges/universities;
- Participate in interviews with local, state, or national media outlets and publications;
- Draft and submit final application for National Teacher of the Year with guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (May-November); and
- Serve as keynote speaker/presenter at the annual NSTOY-PA Education Forum and mentor to the newly named Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year (December).
Year 2 as Pennsylvania Candidate for National Teacher of the Year
- Serve as a spokesperson for teachers across the commonwealth;
- Represent Pennsylvania as its state’s nominee at the National Teacher of the Year conference;
- Attend the National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, with the President
- Attend Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama; and
- Attend the Next Steps conference sponsored by the National Teacher of the Year organization.