Dr. Carrie Rowe, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will announce the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year at an event held at the Hershey Lodge during PDE's annual SAS Institute. The announcement is scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2025, at 12:45 PM.
The finalists for this year's Teacher of the Year award represent school districts from across Pennsylvania. They are Whitney Bellomo from Dallastown Area School District in York County; Nicole Birkbeck from Council Rock School District in Bucks County; Katherine Blandino-Nienhuis from Pittsburgh Public School District in Allegheny County; Renee Decker from Central York School District in York County; Madeline Loring from Jefferson-Morgan School District in Greene County; Jenna Love from Elizabethtown Area School District in Lancaster County; Jennifer Nesser from Laurel Highlands School District in Fayette County; Ashley Oldham from Big Spring School District in Cumberland County; Andrea Rutledge from Hempfield School District in Lancaster County; Rachel Sebastian from Governor Mifflin School District in Berks County; Rebecca Showalter from Mount Lebanon School District in Allegheny County; and Elizabeth Troxell from Penns Valley Area School District in Centre County.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, "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 role in their school and community."
Officials will speak at a podium during the ceremony as they name the 2026 Teacher of the Year. A PA Cast will follow after the announcement.
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