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How educators can help students reach their full potential

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How educators can help students reach their full potential

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National Teacher of the Year 2026: Essay about education and community

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How educators can help students reach their full potential

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How educators can help students reach their full potential

Apr 21, 2026

· 4 min read

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Leon Smith is the 2026 National Teacher of the Year. In this essay, he reflects on his visit to Google’s campus in California — and on how educators are preparing future citizens.

Leon Smith

2026 National Teacher of the Year

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The National Teacher of the Year, Leon Smith, believes teachers have a special power to see the hidden potential in every student. He wants to support educators as they create safe, joyful classrooms where kids can truly thrive. By focusing on kindness and high expectations, teachers help prepare students for their future lives. He plans to spend his year celebrating the amazing work teachers do to help students succeed.

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When I was named Pennsylvania’s State Teacher of the Year, I had the opportunity to witness engaging lessons in classrooms across the state, and speak with educators about their students. I am constantly inspired: our nation’s educators continue to play an important role in helping young people reach their highest potential. Now, as the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, I’m reflecting on how this journey began, and the profound responsibility of representing our profession.

Recently, I gathered with the other 55 state teachers of the year at Google headquarters for the National Teacher of the Year program orientation. Throughout the three-day program, the excellence, passion, creativity and kindness of these talented educators was on full display. As we collaborated and found joy in learning new tools and strategies, we all felt excited about returning to our schools with innovative ways to support our students’ success.

Image 2: Leon Smith seated in the audience

Leon Smith listening to the vibe coding tutorial by Clay Smith at the NTOY Onboarding.

Image 3: Several teachers smiling for the camera outside of a Google building

Leon Smith and fellow state teachers of the year at the NTOY Onboarding at Google’s Mountain View campus.

Image 4: Leon Smith standing in an audience

Leon Smith answering a question and sharing insights with fellow state teachers of the year at the National Teacher of the Year onboarding event

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For true learning to occur, we must honor our students' dignity and humanity. Establishing high expectations within an environment of joy, safety and love allows students to grow and reach new heights. As educators, we are inspiring and preparing future citizens. The habits learned in our classrooms will play out in communities and workplaces in the future.

As the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, I am honored to step into this role as an ambassador for our profession and a representative for the incredible educators across the country. Over the next 12 months, my focus is simple: elevating the voices of teachers. As educators, our superpower is vision. The ability to look at a student and see the brilliance, talent, and potential that they don’t yet see in themselves. My goal this year is to celebrate that magic and the dedicated professionals who make it happen every day. Beyond delivering a curriculum, we are working in partnership to build the future, one classroom at a time.