Haverford, Pennsylvania– A Pennsylvania high school history teacher who helps students look inward to find their strengths and outward to find community inside and outside the classroom has been named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year.
Leon Smith, 46, has spent his 25-year career at Haverford High School, where he teaches Advanced Placement classes in U.S. History and African American Studies. He describes himself as a “motivated student,” someone who sets high expectations while surrounding students with love and support. This often means recognizing and highlighting hidden talent, he said in an interview Monday.
“Any adult can tell you that they see something in you that maybe you don’t see in yourself,” he said. “I love doing that for students. When I see ambition, when I see talent, I let them know so they can pursue that goal and achieve their dreams.”
Smith begins each class with a community-building exercise — and on Monday, he asked his students to talk about a song that made them happy. Someone shared a clip that reminded him of a family vacation. Another recalled the music she listened to with friends before they went their separate ways. This exercise helped calm students before the discussion turned to a more difficult question: When should the United States enter a war taking place in a distant location?
“We want to make sure that our students can think critically, that they have empathy, and that they can understand the nuance and complexity that goes into making decisions,” he said. “I hope that when they leave my classroom, that they can be civically engaged, that they can make sure that they can create a community that they can be proud of.”
Smith also expands his teaching beyond school, taking students to the state Capitol each year to network with policymakers. This earned him praise from the organization behind the award, the Council of Chief Public School Officers, which also noted his emphasis on including multiple perspectives in history.
As Teacher of the Year, Smith will spend a year promoting the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the next generation.
“They’ve moved communities. They’ve empowered activist movements. They’ve helped people know what they want to do when they come together,” he said. “They have had a tremendous impact, and I hope people will be inspired to join in that legacy.”
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Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.