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Leon Smith

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Haverford High teacher named 2026 National Teacher of the Year

Leon Smith has spent more than two decades teaching at Haverford High School in Havertown, Pennsylvania, where he instructs AP U.S. History and AP African American Studies. Named Pennsylvania's 2025 Teacher of the Year and then the 2026 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers, Smith is celebrated for his philosophy that "it's not always the content but how you make students feel that they remember." Beyond the classroom, he coaches freshman basketball, serves as African American Cultural Enrichment Advisor, and is developing a "Grow Your Own" teacher pipeline program. Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe called him "an exemplar of the excellent educators we have in schools across the state."

Honored by Map of Heroes — recognized here from public reporting. How we choose editorial honorees

Added June 12, 2026

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