Pennsylvania's '2009 Teacher Of The Year'

Education Secretary Zahorchak Announces Pennsylvania's '2009 Teacher Of The Year'

Greater Latrobe Language Arts Teacher Will Represent Commonwealth in National Event

HARRISBURG – A language arts teacher at Greater Latrobe Senior High School is Pennsylvania’s 2009 Teacher of the Year, Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced today.

A language arts teacher at Greater Latrobe Senior High School is Pennsylvania's 2009 Teacher of the Year, Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced today.
"Rebecca Snyder is inspiring her students with her enthusiasm and her creative methods for instilling students with a love of language, literature and the arts," Zahorchak said. "As our teacher of the year, she also will serve as an inspiration to her fellow educators."

Snyder was chosen from among 12 finalists to represent Pennsylvania in the National Teacher of the Year presentation, scheduled for the spring.

She will serve as spokesperson for teachers across the state for the coming year, giving her the unique opportunity to represent the best in the education field.
"I look forward to an exciting year representing all the dedicated teachers across the commonwealth," Snyder said after receiving the Golden Apple award during a ceremony this morning.

"This event has validated the reasons we all have come to teaching," she told her colleagues. "I am truly honored to be in the same class with all of you."
Snyder chairs the language arts department at Greater Latrobe Senior High School and teaches a range of literature and writing courses, from advanced placement English to mythology.

Each teacher of the year finalist was introduced at the awards ceremony by a former student who related how the teacher positively impacted his or her life. Snyder was introduced by Bree Larkin, now a college freshman, who likened her former high school English teacher to a superhero.

"Mrs. Snyder rescued me from the vicious grip of grades and carried me into a world of passionate learning," Larkin said. "She opened my eyes to the bigger picture of learning by encouraging me to pursue knowledge, not the assignment. She has not forgotten that the people in her classroom have souls that are ready to be awakened and minds just waiting to learn."

Pennsylvania has participated in the teacher of the year program since 1965. The program is co-sponsored by the state Department of Education and the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year.

For more information on Pennsylvania's teacher of the year, visit www.pde.state.pa.us.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a list of the 12 nominees for Pennsylvania's 2009 Teacher of the Year:
Linda Barthmaier - 2nd grade - State College Area SD, Centre Co.
Linda Baughman - reading specialist - Mechanicsburg Area SD, Cumberland Co.
Robert Hankes - literature & film - Big Spring SD, Cumberland Co.
Diane Heitzenrater - technology education - Hatsboro-Horsham SD, Montgomery Co.
Gail Rosenberry - 5th grade - Shippensburg Area SD, Cumberland Co.
Marilyn Rothberg - library science - Great Valley SD, Chester Co.
Stephanie Ruby - special education - Gateway SD, Allegheny Co.
Ronald Shealer - technology education - State College Area SD, Centre Co.
Rebecca Snyder - language arts - Greater Latrobe SD, Westmoreland Co.
Timothy Spuck - science - Oil City Area SD, Venango Co.
Gary Vetre - mathematics - Upper Darby SD, Delaware Co.
Charles Youngs - English & communications - Bethel Park SD, Allegheny Co.