PHOTO PROVIDED Penns Valley teacher, Elizabeth Troxell, was a finalist for Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year.

PENNS VALLEY — A Penns Valley Area School District teacher was a finalist for the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award.

Through the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program, Pennsylvania Department of Education identifies and honors exemplary teaching and classroom practices across the commonwealth. This year, 523 nominations were submitted for educators to be considered as the 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Elizabeth Troxell, who has taught for 12 years at Penns Valley Area High School, was one of 12 finalists in the running for the Teacher of the Year Award in Pennsylvania.

On Dec. 8 at the SAS Conference in Hershey the finalists met with Governor Josh Shapiro and Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe for the announcement of the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

“Educators — whether a teacher, a principal or an administrator — do critical work each and every day to prepare our kids for the future,” said Governor Shapiro. “A lot of the time, our teachers don’t get the credit or support you deserve despite having our students’ back every single day. I want Pennsylvania’s teachers to know that I have their backs, and will continue to build on the progress we’ve made together. I’m grateful for moments like today where we get to celebrate the work that teachers do every day.”

Troxell recently transitioned into a new position this year at the school, that of an Instructional Coach for grades 7-12. Before this, she taught Modern World History since joining the staff at Penns Valley in 2013. She also taught AP-level class for this, partnering with Mount Aloysius (Western Civilization since 1500). In addition, she has taught a variety of history electives, including American Military History, Civil War Sociology and Your World in the 21st Century.

Before her time at Penns Valley Troxell taught American History I and II and middle school PSSA Math in the Shamokin Area School District.

“Being nominated for Teacher of the Year and selected as a finalist was an incredibly humbling experience. This honor was a true team effort as everything I am as an educator is shaped by the teachers around me who continually challenged and pushed me to be better, the administrators who believed in me and gave me the confidence to grow, my students who are the purpose behind everything I do and inspire me every single day and a community that celebrated and supported me so wholeheartedly,” Troxell said of her experience.

The process itself was a year-long journey that allowed Troxell to reflect deeply on her practice.

“It began with a nomination and Round One written interview responses, followed by Round Two, which included a recorded lesson and Zoom interviews,” Troxell said.

The final round brought her to Harrisburg for in-person interviews with the National State Teacher of the Year-Pennsylvania Chapter and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

“Each step was challenging, reflective and incredibly meaningful,” Troxell said. “I had the privilege of standing alongside 11 other phenomenal educators. I was especially honored to be surrounded by such strong female teachers who inspire future generations and advocate passionately for the teaching profession.”

Madeline Loring, an educator at Jefferson-Morgan School District in Greene County, was named the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

Troxell enthusiastically congratulated Maddie Loring, a fellow educator, “who will do a tremendous job representing the Commonwealth!”

Troxell was the only finalist from the Centre County region vying for the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award.

The Penns Valley Area School District administrators, staff and students are very proud of Troxell and her being named a finalist. The entire Penns Valley community is equally pleased for one of their own having been selected from so many nominations: “It’s a great day to be a (Penns Valley) Ram!”

Troxell lives in Millheim, and told The Express, “The valley is my family, and I wouldn’t want to teach anywhere else.”