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HARRISBURG, PA (December 8, 2025) — The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) congratulates Madeline Loring, a fourth grade teacher at Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School in Greene County, who was named the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year today.

“PSEA congratulates Madeline Loring on being named Pennsylvania’s 2026 Teacher of the Year,” said PSEA President Aaron Chapin. “Madeline demonstrates a passion for education, an unwavering dedication to her students, and a strong optimism about the potential of public education.

“Madeline is an advocate for building a stronger teacher pipeline, promising as Pennsylvania Teacher of Year to uplift the profession and encourage the next generation of educators.

“Madeline believes that every student deserves to be seen, supported, and given a chance to become their very best selves. We have every confidence that Madeline will make Pennsylvania and PSEA proud as she works to support public education, teachers, and the 1.7 million students we serve.

“PSEA also congratulates the 11 other finalists for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. It is a tremendous honor to be selected among hundreds of nominees, and every finalist should be proud to be in such impressive company.”

In addition to Madeline Loring, the following 11 educators are finalists for the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year:

• Whitney Bellomo, Dallastown Area School District, York County
• Nicole Birkbeck, Council Rock School District, Bucks County
• Katherine Blandino-Nienhuis, Pittsburgh Public School District, Allegheny County
• Renee Decker, Central York School District, York County
• Jenna Love, Elizabethtown Area School District, Lancaster County
• Jennifer Nesser, Laurel Highlands School District, Fayette County
• Ashley Oldham, Big Spring School District, Cumberland County
• Andrea Rutledge, Hempfield School District, Lancaster County
• Rachel Sebastian, Governor Mifflin School District, Berks County
• Rebecca Showalter, Mount Lebanon School District, Allegheny County
• Elizabeth Troxell, Penns Valley Area School District, Centre County

Chapin is a Stroudsburg Area middle school teacher and president of PSEA. An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents about 177,000 active and retired educators and school employees, aspiring educators, higher education staff, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.