Centre County educator named as a finalist for Teacher of the Year award
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Twelve teachers across Pennsylvania have been named as finalists for the 2026 Teacher of the Year award, and among them is a Centre County educator.
Whilst the winner will not be announced until December, the program works to honor all teachers who are exemplary. The National State Teacher of the Year (NSTOY) program each year 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.
Nine from Central Pennsylvania selected for 58th Art of the State exhibition
Here are the finalists:
Elizabeth Troxell, Penns Valley Area School District, Centre County
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
Later this year a teacher will be chosen to represent Pennsylvania at local, regional, and national functions culminating in the National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House.
'Ask anyone if they remember the teacher who inspired them most, and nearly everyone will immediately smile and name an educator from their past,' Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe said. '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.'
Leon Smith, a secondary teacher at Haverford High School in the Haverford Township School District in Havertown, was the 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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