MILLERSVILLE, Pa. — A Lancaster County elementary school teacher is among the 12 finalists for the 2021 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award.
Emily Raff, a sixth-grade teacher at Pequea Elementary School in the Penn Manor School District, is among the 12 finalists announced Tuesday by the Gov. Tom Wolf administration.
“It is truly an honor and a humbling experience to become a finalist for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year,” said Raff in a post on Penn Manor's website. “I am grateful for the opportunity to share my passion and enthusiasm for education!”
Raff has taught at Pequea Elementary since 2014.
The 2021 Teacher of the Year award will be given out in December.
“Teachers impact students far beyond the traditional classroom, connecting with them and inspiring them during some of our most difficult times,” said Pennsylvania Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera. "We witnessed that extraordinary commitment this spring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with educators stepping up to make sure students and communities are fed, comforted and educated. The Department of Education applauds this year’s finalists, who represent the commitment and professionalism that so many Pennsylvania educators share.”
The other 2021 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year finalists are:
- Andrea Baney - Danville Area School District (Montour & Northumberland counties)
- Debra Barrick - Selinsgrove Area School District (Snyder County)
- Nicole Darroch - Ambridge Area School District (Beaver County)
- Kathleen Dickensheets - Hampton Township School District (Allegheny County)
- Jessica Fellin - Penns Valley Area School District (Centre County)
- Gerald Kaplan - Loyalsock Township School District (Lycoming County)
- Caitlin Keiper - New Hope-Solebury School District (Bucks County)
- Denise Leigh - McGuffey School District (Washington County)
- Kerri Lynn Markert - Easton Area School District (Northampton County)
- Katie Wisnosky - Tunkhannock Area School District (Wyoming County)
- Hollie Woodard - Council Rock School District (Bucks County)
Nominations for the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year were submitted by students, parents, peers, and members of the community wishing to honor and recognize educator achievements both inside and outside the classroom.
The finalists must be prepared to effectively carry out the duties of the state’s Teacher of the Year, including being Pennsylvania’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year.
The recognition 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.
Pennsylvania’s 2020 Teacher of the Year recipient is Joseph Welch, a middle school teacher in the North Hills School District in Allegheny County.
Secretary Rivera said that nominations for Teacher of the Year can be submitted all year long by students, community members, parents, or teachers. More information is available on the PDE website.
