JEFFERSON, Pa. —

A fourth-grade teacher from western Pennsylvania has now been named the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

VIDEO ABOVE: Local teacher named "Teacher of the Year" in Pennsylvania Advertisement

Madeline Loring, a fourth-grade teacher at Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School in the Jefferson-Morgan School District, was recognized at SAS Institute, the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s annual professional development conference in Hershey.

"Education is not a 'one size fits all,' so the needs of our children are very diverse, and I want to make sure that I honor everyone's needs, no matter if it is an academic need or a personal need. I want them to know that they are loved and supported," Loring said.

Loring was one of 12 finalists, with three others being in th

See Full Page