PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has officially launched its call for nominations for the Commonwealth’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. The annual program aims to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions of educators across Pennsylvania.
Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, the Secretary of Education, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the lasting impact educators have on their students and communities. “At the Department of Education, we know that all educators make a real, lasting impact on their students and communities, and the Teacher of the Year program highlights some of the best of the best,” said Dr. Mumin. He further urged teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members to nominate local educators who have made a significant difference in their lives or the lives of others.
The Teacher of the Year program is an initiative that celebrates excellence in teaching. It honors those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to young Pennsylvanians’ education. The nomination period for the 2025 award is now open and will run until December 15, 2023.
Finalists for the prestigious award are selected from the pool of applicants and recognized in Harrisburg each fall. The 2025 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a state awards ceremony in early December 2024. The chosen educator will also represent the Commonwealth at various local, regional, and national functions. The recognition culminates in the National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House.
The PDE, through the National State Teacher of the Year (NSTOY) program, identifies and honors exemplary teaching and classroom practices across the commonwealth. Annually, NSTOY recognizes a professional who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn. The honored educator is one who has earned the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues and plays an active and useful role in both school and community.
The Teacher of the Year program is co-sponsored by PDE and the Pennsylvania chapter of NSTOY (NSTOY-PA). The latter was founded in 1995 and has been instrumental in recognizing excellence in teaching across the state.
In 2023, the Teacher of the Year title was awarded to Ryan Hardesty, a seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher at Highland Middle School in the Blackhawk School District in Beaver County. Hardesty’s achievement was announced at PDE’s SAS Institute last December.
The PDE invites all Pennsylvanians to learn more about the Teacher of the Year program on its website. It’s an opportunity for the public to participate actively in acknowledging the profound contributions of educators to their communities.
For further details on the work of the Pennsylvania Department of Education and its various initiatives, the public is encouraged to visit its website.
The Teacher of the Year program underscores the importance of education in Pennsylvania. The initiative is a testament to the state’s commitment to acknowledging the efforts of those who shape the future generations. The nomination period offers an opportunity for Pennsylvanians to appreciate and recognize the educators who have made a significant impact in their communities.
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