Schools

Haine Elementary Instructor PA Teacher Of The Year Finalist

Paolo Tolomeo is one of 12 finalists for the honor.

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Paolo Tolomeo with his students.
Paolo Tolomeo with his students. (Photo: Seneca Valley School District.)

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA - Haine Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Paolo Tolomeo has been named a finalist in the 2020 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year competition. He's one of just a dozen finalists for the prestigious award among the state's more than 122,000 teachers.

Tolomeo, a Seneca Valley School District teacher for 10 years, will attend an awards ceremony in December where the Pennsylvania Department of Education will announce the teacher of the year. The winner will compete for National Teacher of the Year honors.

Tolomeo said he already is networking with the other finalists so they can collaborate and share ideas.

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“This is going to allow me to further expand my professional learning network," he said. "By gaining insights and ideas from them, as well as other teachers around the country, I can bring those ideas to my team to help us grow."

Seneca Valley superintendent Tracy Vitale said Tolomeo is one of the district's finest teachers and excels at sudent engagement.

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“He knows his children well and recognizes that teachers must care about the children in their classroom before they can begin toteach subject matter," she said. He is constantly trying to improve his teaching methods with a focus on innovation and creativity. We are very lucky to

have Mr. Tolomeo."


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