HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett has congratulated Ryan Devlin, a teacher in Brockway Area School District, Jefferson County, for being selected as one of four national finalists for the 2014 National Teacher of the Year award.
“On behalf of all Pennsylvania citizens, I congratulate Ryan for being chosen to represent Pennsylvania at the national level,” Corbett said. “Ryan’s commitment to his students is a shining example of the thousands of Pennsylvania educators who are dedicated to ensuring that students are prepared for a bright and successful future.”
In December 2012, Devlin was named Pennsylvania’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.
He is an 11th-grade English and 9–12th-grade technology teacher at Brockway Area Junior/Senior High School, where he has taught for seven years and serves as head of the English department.
He also serves as the school’s head cross country coach and the senior high gifted advisor.
Outside of school, Devlin speaks at state conferences and college campuses and is a cooperating teacher for Clarion University’s student teaching program.
He has won multiple grants for his innovative and extensive use of technology in the classroom.
Devlin received a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from Waynesburg University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from California University of Pennsylvania.
He holds teaching certificates in English (grades 7-12), business/computers (grades K-12), and library science (grades K-12).
The National Teacher of the Year Program, which began in 1952, is run by the Council of Chief State School Officers. Every year, each state selects a state teacher of the year to participate in the national program.
The National Teacher of the Year will be announced in April and will be recognized during a ceremony at the White House.
The other three finalists are from Florida, Maryland and Virginia.