A Berks County educator is among 12 finalists selected for Pennsylvania’s 2027 Teacher of the Year award, according to an announcement this week from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Jenna Anzelmo of the Fleetwood Area School District was named one of the statewide finalists by the Shapiro Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
“The true impact of a great teacher is in the confidence they build, the curiosity they spark, and the resilience they help students realize,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe said in a statement. “These 12 finalists represent the very best in teaching. They create classrooms where students feel seen, challenged, and supported, and where learning is connected to real opportunities for the future.”
The Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year program recognizes educators who inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities, earn the respect of students and colleagues, and play active roles within their schools and communities.
The winner of the 2027 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award will be announced during a state awards ceremony in December 2026. The selected educator will represent Pennsylvania at local, regional, and national events, culminating in the National Teacher of the Year ceremony in Washington.
The recognition program is administered through the National State Teacher of the Year initiative, which honors exemplary classroom teaching practices across the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania’s current Teacher of the Year is Madeline Loring, a fourth-grade teacher in Greene County. Earlier this month, Leon Smith of Haverford High School was named the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, marking the second consecutive year a Pennsylvania educator received the national honor.
