PA Virtual Special Education Teacher Stacy McGowan and High School Teacher Cheryl Clothier were recently named semi-finalists for the 2013 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Teacher of the Year (NSTOY-PA) program.  PA Virtual is the only cyber charter school this year to have not one, but two teachers nominated as Semi-Finalists for this prestigious honor. This award recognizes outstanding teachers who represent the best in teaching and in the field of K-12 education. Students, parents, colleagues and members of their local community nominated these individuals, to recognize their achievements both in and out the classroom.

The National Teacher of the Year program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in public education. The Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year program, which is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year, recognizes excellence in teaching by honoring teachers in K-12 public schools in the Commonwealth, who have made outstanding academic contributions to school-aged children in Pennsylvania. Information about the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Teacher of the Year can be found at www.nstoy.org/chapters/pa/ as well as www.pdesas.org/instruction/teacheroftheyear/.

The entire PA Virtual community congratulates Mrs. McGowan and Mrs. Clothier on their outstanding accomplishments and this well-deserved recognition.