(BPRW) Pennsylvania History Teacher Named 2026 National Teacher of the Year<\/p>\n
(Black PR Wire)\u00a0Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) today announced Leon Smith, a Pennsylvania history teacher, as the 2026 National Teacher of the Year.\u202f<\/p>\n
Smith serves Haverford High School as an Advanced Placement (AP) United States history and Advanced Placement African American studies teacher. In his classroom, he emphasizes critical thinking, civic engagement and the inclusion of multiple perspectives in history.<\/p>\n
Smith has more than two decades of experience as an educator,\u00a0leader\u00a0and mentor dedicated to empowering both students and teachers. His teaching is rooted in the belief that education has the power to transform lives and inspire students to achieve their highest potential. He strives to create an inclusive culture. For example, he engaged with the community, families and students to help bring the first-ever AP African American studies course to Haverford.<\/p>\n
Smith is deliberate in connecting students with\u00a0community. As part of AP Advocacy Day, Smith takes students to the Pennsylvania State Capitol to interact with AP scholars from all over the state and meet with their local legislators to share the impact of AP courses on their lives. Students engage with policymakers, asking\u00a0questions\u00a0and learning the basics of storytelling to build empathy and understanding. Through this opportunity, students gain confidence in their communication skills, helping them find success in securing job and internship interviews.<\/p>\n
As the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, Smith will spend a year representing educators and serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession. He plans to spend his year of service recognizing the pivotal role educators play in shaping the next generation. He believes a teacher’s superpower is the ability to see things in students that they do not see in themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing like seeing a student gain confidence in themselves after receiving words of encouragement from you,\u201d said Smith. \u201cTeaching is a journey where one discovers their voice in the classroom and who they are as educators. As you prepare to enter the classroom, remember that you are who your students need.\u201d<\/p>\n
CCSSO\u2019s\u00a0National Teacher of the Year Program<\/a>, whose lead sponsor is Google, identifies exceptional teachers across the country, recognizes their effective work in the classroom, engages them in a year of professional learning and amplifies their voices.<\/p>\n \u201cThe National Teacher of the Year program celebrates the meaningful work and dedication of teachers who influence positive change in both the lives of their students and school communities,\u201d\u00a0said CCSSO Chief Executive Officer Carissa Moffat Miller.\u00a0\u201cWe thank Leon for his profound contributions to education and congratulate him on this outstanding recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPennsylvania is honored to have, for the second year in a row, an educator from our great\u00a0commonwealth\u00a0named National Teacher of the Year,\u201d said Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. \u201cLeon Smith is an exemplar of the excellent educators we have in schools across the state; educators who inspire, lead, encourage and shape the next generation of learners and global citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n Each year, states, U.S. extra-state territories, the District of Columbia and the Department of War Education Activity select outstanding educators to serve as State Teachers of the Year. From that group, the National Teacher of the Year is chosen by an independent Selection Committee comprising representatives of national K-12 education organizations.<\/p>\n \u201cLeon\u2019s passion for teaching is reflected in his accomplishments, which always leads back to how he can best serve his students,\u201d said the National Teacher of the Year Selection Committee. \u201cHe is a strong voice for his school community and models the profession we want our students to enter tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n The additional finalists for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year are Katie Collins (Alabama), Rachel Kinsaul (Georgia), Michelle Gross (Kentucky) and Linda Wallenberg (Minnesota). You can read more about the finalists and CCSSO\u2019s National Teacher of the Year Program at\u00a0https:\/\/ntoy.ccsso.org\/blog\/2026-ntoy-finalists.<\/a><\/p>\n