Delco Council Honors Leon Smith, 2025 PA Teacher of the Year

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, PA — In December 2024, a School District of Haverford Township teacher was named the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

Haverford social studies teacher Leon Smith was that teacher. He is a secondary teacher at Haverford High School who has spent more than two decades with the district. He teaches ninth grade honors and advanced placement social studies, as well as 10th-12th grade African American studies.

The Delaware County Council honored Smith at their regular meeting Wednesday.

"Mr. Leon Smith has been an exemplary figure in our educational community with a passion that has helped to have an impact on the lives of countless students," Councilwoman Monica Taylor said Wednesday. "His efforts go beyond the classroom, as he actively works to ensure that every student sees a reflection of themselves in their educators and feels the empowering impact of representation."

She said Smith being recognized as the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year is "a testament to his unwavering dedication and his profound impact on our youth.

"It's a tremendous honor to be here and I'm just so thankful for this recognition," Smith said Wednesday. "I think it's important to for students to realize the power of educators and how our influence is extended outside of the classroom."

Smith said education, as a profession, needs to be elevated, and he highlighted the ongoing teacher shortage as a reason to uplift educators.

Smith holds a Bachelors in Secondary Social Studies Education from the University of Maryland at College Park, a Masters in Educational Leadership in Technology Integration from Pennsylvania State University, and a PK-12 Principal certification from Cabrini University.

According to the Department of Education, Smith strongly believes in helping all students reach their full potential. His dedication to his students goes beyond the classroom through his roles as the African American Cultural Enrichment Advisor, freshmen Boys’ Basketball Coach, and mentor. He is seen as a building leader and provides professional development for the district on culturally relevant teaching, growth mindset, elements of effective lessons, belonging strategies, and supporting historically marginalized students. Mr. Smith is an advocate for the teaching profession, committed to supporting new and future teachers by starting a Grow Your Own teacher program at Haverford Township School District. As a senior fellow for Teach Plus, an organization that focuses on developing teacher leaders, he works with others to advocate for policies that advance equity, opportunity, and student success.

Through the National Teacher of the Year Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Education identifies and honors exemplary teaching and classroom practices across the commonwealth. National Teacher of the Year 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 and useful role in both school and community.

As Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year, Smith will travel the state, meet, and collaborate with other educators, and will represent the commonwealth in next year’s National Teacher of the Year competition.

The Teacher of the Year program is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year, which was founded in 1995.

This year, 660 nominations were submitted for educators to be named 2025 Teacher of the Year.