Pennsylvania Teacher Leon Smith Named 2026 National Teacher of the Year
A Well-Deserved Recognition for Educational Excellence
In an exciting exclusive announcement on “CBS Mornings,” Leon Smith, a dedicated social studies teacher from Haverford High School in Havertown, Pennsylvania, was named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year program. For Smith, this prestigious recognition represents far more than personal achievement—it’s a testament to the collective efforts of educators across the nation. Speaking with genuine humility during his Tuesday interview, Smith expressed that the honor “just means everything,” emphasizing his pride in representing teachers throughout the country. He acknowledged that he stands on the shoulders of countless educators who came before him, all of whom have contributed tremendously to shaping young minds and building better futures. This recognition comes after Smith was previously honored as the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, demonstrating his consistent excellence in education. Teaching Advanced Placement U.S. History and AP African American Studies, Smith has made it his mission to make history relevant and engaging for his students, connecting past events to their present-day lives in meaningful ways.
The Heart of Teaching: Making Students Feel Valued
What truly sets Leon Smith apart as an educator isn’t just his command of historical facts or his teaching techniques—it’s his profound understanding that great teaching is fundamentally about human connection. In the video tribute from Haverford High School, students and colleagues painted a picture of an extraordinary educator, describing Smith with words like passionate, caring, charismatic, and engaging. Principal Pete Donaghy captured the essence of Smith’s teaching approach perfectly, noting that “he is everything you want in a teacher” and highlighting how Smith expertly relates African American studies and U.S. history directly to his students’ lives. When Smith reflects on his own educational journey, he points to his first-grade teacher, Ms. Mason, as his favorite teacher. What made her special wasn’t necessarily what she taught, but how she made him feel as a young student. This formative experience shaped Smith’s entire educational philosophy: it’s not always about the content you deliver, but about how you make students feel that leaves a lasting impression. Smith firmly believes that the most crucial aspect of teaching is letting students know that you genuinely care about them as individuals, and having the vision to see potential in students that they cannot yet see in themselves.
Beyond the Classroom: Coaching and Mentoring
Leon Smith’s impact on young people extends far beyond the classroom walls. As a longtime basketball coach for the freshman team at Haverford High School, Smith has found another avenue to mentor and inspire students, demonstrating that teaching happens in many different contexts. One of his former players shared a touching testimony about Smith’s influence, explaining that Smith made sure he felt seen and gave him a sense of purpose—something that many young people desperately need during their formative high school years. This dual role as teacher and coach allows Smith to reach students in different ways, meeting them where they are and helping them develop both academically and personally. His coaching philosophy clearly mirrors his teaching approach: it’s about building relationships, fostering confidence, and helping young people discover their own potential. Smith’s love for basketball began in his childhood and was ignited by watching his all-time favorite player, Julius Erving, known as Dr. J. Watching Erving play made young Leon “fall in love” with the game, demonstrating how role models and mentors can spark lifelong passions that eventually shape our careers and how we choose to give back to others.
A Legendary Surprise: When Heroes Become Real
In one of the most heartwarming moments of the “CBS Mornings” broadcast, Julius Erving himself appeared to surprise Smith and personally congratulate him on being named National Teacher of the Year. The surprise was particularly meaningful given the surprising connection between the two men—Erving revealed that Haverford High School is located right around the corner from a house where he lived for eleven years, creating an unexpected geographical link between the basketball legend and the honored educator. Erving explained that when he received notification about Leon’s achievement, this connection made him want to participate in celebrating the moment, saying he wanted to “spread some joy, spread some love.” The basketball legend also shared his own story about an influential teacher, Mr. Ray Wilson, who taught special education at Erving’s high school and also served as his basketball coach. Erving described Wilson as a lifelong mentor who remained a constant presence and support system throughout his life, living into his eighties and always being available whenever Erving needed guidance, regardless of whether the issue was big or small. This relationship exemplifies the lasting impact that dedicated teachers can have on their students’ lives, influencing them not just during school years but throughout their entire lifetime.
The Ripple Effect of Great Teaching
For Leon Smith, meeting his childhood hero Julius Erving was an unforgettable honor that he’ll treasure forever, but the moment also served as a powerful illustration of how influential teachers and mentors create ripples that extend far into the future. When Erving spoke about his own mentor, Mr. Ray Wilson, he was demonstrating the very principle that Smith embodies in his own teaching: that the relationship between teacher and student can transcend the classroom and become a source of lifelong support and inspiration. This intergenerational passing of wisdom and care—from Mr. Wilson to Julius Erving, from Ms. Mason to Leon Smith, and from Leon Smith to his countless students—shows how great educators create a legacy that multiplies exponentially. Each student that Smith inspires may go on to become a teacher, a coach, a parent, or simply someone who understands the importance of seeing potential in others and helping them realize it. The recognition of Smith as National Teacher of the Year isn’t just about honoring one exceptional individual; it’s about celebrating the teaching profession itself and acknowledging the profound and often underappreciated impact that teachers have on shaping society.
Honoring All Teachers Through One Exceptional Example
Leon Smith’s selection as the 2026 National Teacher of the Year serves as a reminder of the dedication, passion, and heart that teachers bring to their work every single day across America. While Smith is undoubtedly exceptional in his ability to connect with students, inspire them to see themselves in history, and help them recognize their own potential, he represents thousands of educators who are doing similar transformative work in classrooms throughout the country. These teachers often work long hours for modest pay, invest their own money in classroom supplies, stay after school to provide extra help, and carry the weight of their students’ challenges home with them. They celebrate their students’ successes as their own victories and lose sleep over students who are struggling. Smith’s humble acknowledgment that he stands on the shoulders of those who came before him reflects the collaborative and supportive nature of the teaching profession, where educators share strategies, support one another through challenges, and collectively work toward the goal of giving every child the education they deserve. As we celebrate Leon Smith’s well-deserved recognition, we should also take a moment to appreciate all the teachers in our communities who are making differences in young lives every day, often without recognition or fanfare, simply because they care deeply about their students’ futures and believe in the transformative power of education.
