In a recent feature by the TODAY Show, College of Education alum and 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Leon Smith ’05 shared his inspiring mission to encourage more individuals—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to pursue careers in education.
Smith reflected on the pivotal moment in 10th grade when he had his first Black male teacher—a student teacher. That experience, he said, made him feel seen and ultimately inspired him to become a teacher himself.
Recognizing both the critical role educators play in society and the importance of representation in education, Smith hopes his students will consider teaching as a meaningful and impactful profession.
“A highly qualified and effective teacher has the ability to change the trajectory of a student’s life,” he said.
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