Centre County Educator Named Pennsylvania's 2012 Teacher of the Year

Education Secretary also Honors 2011 Milken Award Winner, Blue Ribbon Schools

HERSHEY, Pa., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Education Secretary Ron Tomalis last night announced the 2012 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, as well as recognized the 2011 Milken Educator Award winner and 14 Blue Ribbon Schools during the Keystone Awards of Excellence banquet in Hershey.

Tricia Miller, a literacy coach in Penns Valley Area School District, Centre County, was named the 2012 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, the culmination of the evening's events. Miller was one of 12 finalists for the prestigious award, which recognizes Pennsylvania's most passionate and innovative educators.

"Tricia's unwavering commitment to her students and colleagues has profoundly impacted the educational environment in the Penns Valley School District," Tomalis said. "She's inspired her students and colleagues to strive for excellence and overcome the many obstacles that arise in and outside of the classroom." 

Prior to assuming the role of the district's literacy coach, Miller taught English and Advanced Placement English for 15 years at Penns Valley High School. Her dedication to school improvement and enhancing the professional development opportunities for her peers, has garnered the respect and admiration of her colleagues.

"All of the finalists for Pennsylvania's Teacher of the Year represent the best of the best in education," Tomalis said. "My hope is that in the near future, every student in Pennsylvania will be educated by a teacher as effective as the individuals we honored last evening."

Pennsylvania's Teacher of the Year program is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year, which was founded in 1995.

Tomalis also recognized the 2011 Milken Educator Award winner: Steven Scoville, an 11th- and 12th-grade Advanced Placement Physics teacher at Brashear High School in the Pittsburgh Public School District.

During his career, Scoville has donated his time to assist in the development of the Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy for grades 6-12, which opened in August 2009. The academy is designed for students who want to focus their studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Milken Educator Award is one of the nation's top teacher recognition programs that honor K-12 teachers, principals and specialists across the nation with a $25,000 individual, unrestricted award. Since the first award was granted in 1987, the program has awarded more than $63 million to more than 2,500 educators throughout the United States.

"It was a privilege to be among so many great teaching professionals who have dedicated their lives to educating our students," Tomalis said. "Without a doubt, Pennsylvania is home to thousands of excellent teachers and administrators, and last night's event provided an opportunity to recognize their contributions."

Pennsylvania's Blue Ribbon Schools were also recognized for their success in increasing student achievement. The National Blue Ribbon Award was awarded to 14 schools across the state, including public and private elementary and high schools. The Blue Ribbon Schools are:

• Memorial Elementary School, Bloomsburg Area School District, Columbia County.
• Carbondale Area Elementary School, Carbondale Area School District, Lackawanna County.
• Corpus Christi Catholic School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Montgomery County.
• Forest City Regional Elementary School, Forest City Regional School District, Susquehanna County.
• Fred L. Aiken Elementary School, Keystone Oaks School District, Allegheny County.
• Nativity of Our Lord School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Bucks County.
• Northern Bedford County Elementary School, Northern Bedford County School District, Bedford County.
• Coebourn Elementary School, Penn-Delco School District, Delaware County.
• Pleasant Valley Elementary School, Peters Township School District, Washington County.
• Rose Tree Elementary School, Rose Tree Media School District, Delaware County.
• Central High School, School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County.
• Case Avenue Elementary School, Sharon City School District, Mercer County.
• New Eagle Elementary School, Tredyffrin-Easttown School District, Chester County.
• Pocopson Elementary School, Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, Chester County.

Media contact:  Tim Eller, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education