PA Teacher Of The Year: 3 From Pittsburgh Area Named Finalists

PITTSBURGH, PA — Three Pittsburgh-area educators are among the 12 finalists who are in the running to be Pennsylvania's 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Through the National State Teacher of the Year program, the Pennsylvania Department of Education identifies and honors exemplary teaching and classroom practices across the state. The National State Teacher of the Year program 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.

Pennsylvania’s 2026 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a state awards ceremony in early December and will represent the state at various 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 in a statement. “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.”

The three finalists from Western Pennsylvania are Katherine Blandino-Nienhuls of the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Rebecca Showalter of the Mount Lebanon School District and Jennifer Nesser of the Laurel Highlands School District in Fayette County.

The other finalists are:

• Whitney Bellomo, Dallastown Area School District, York County
• Nicole Birkbeck, Council Rock School District, Bucks County
• Renee Decker, Central York School District, York County
• Madeline Loring, Jefferson-Morgan School District, Jefferson County
• Jenna Love, Elizabethtown Area School District, Lancaster County
• Ashley Oldham, Big Spring School District, Cumberland County
• Andrea Rutledge, Hempfield School District, Lancaster County
• Rachel Sebastian, Governor Mifflin School District, Berks County
• Elizabeth Troxell, Penns Valley Area School District, Centre County