Latest news with #2026TeacheroftheYear
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woodland Elementary and Harrison High teachers selected as TSC Teachers of the Year
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Tippecanoe School Corp. has named Lisa Merryman as the TSC Elementary Teacher of the Year and Kristen Trella as the TSC Secondary Teacher of the Year. Merryman, a kindergarten teacher at Woodland Elementary School, has garnered over 28 years of experience in education after earning her bachelor's degree from Purdue University. In a news release, Woodland Elementary Principal Lee Sweet said Merryman's commitment to student success shines in everything she does. 'Her unwavering dedication to students, creative teaching methods and passion for inspiring a love of learning are just a few reasons she deserves this honor,' Sweet said in the release. 'Her peers would say she is knowledgeable, kind and always ready to help. She fosters an environment of collaboration, invites input and shares her expertise generously.' Merryman extends learning beyond the classroom through meaningful connections with the community, the release said. Partnering with the McCutcheon High School FACS department, Merryman coordinates shared activities around topics like apples, pumpkins and pizza making. Trella, an English teacher at Harrison High School, has garnered over 25 years of teaching experience after earning her bachelor's degree from Indiana University Northwest and a master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Harrison Principal Cory Marshall said in the release Trella has the ability to meet students where they are, helping struggling learners grasp important concepts while also challenging high-achieving students to reach new levels. 'Ms. Trella's classroom is one of constant activities,' Marshall said in the release. 'Her students clearly realize that her classroom is a place of learning and work, but also that enjoyment and fun can come from such activities.' Beyond the classroom, Trella serves as a travel club sponsor and coach for the girls swimming and diving team, the release said. Earning the NCC Coach of the year award several times, Trella emphasizes character development and community involvement, the release said, by organizing service projects that support the American Red Cross and a local animal shelter. Merryman and Trella will move forward out of a pool of 19 nominees to represent TSC in the Indiana 2026 Teacherof the Year program. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: TSC selects Woodland, Harrison teachers as 2026 Teachers of the Year
