HERSHEY – The PA Department of Education will be announcing today the 2026 PA Teacher of the Year at the Hershey Lodge. Through the National State Teacher of the Year Program, the state Education Department identifies and honors exemplary teaching and classroom practices across PA. They annually recognize a professional who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; who has the respect of students, parents, and colleagues; and who plays an active role in their school and community. Several area teachers are finalists for the honor. They include Jenna Love with Lancaster County’s Elizabethtown Area School District; Andrea Rutledge of Lancaster County’s Hempfield School District; Renee Decker of York County’s Central York School District; Whitney Bellomo of York County’s Dallastown Area School District; Ashley Oldham of Cumberland County’s Big Spring School District; and Rachel Sebastian of Berks County’s Governor Mifflin School District.
