This week, Leon Smith, a Black man high school teacher from Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was named the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. Smith, a math teacher at Penn Wood High School, is not just a remarkable educator but his experience both as a student and as a teacher is a microcosm of what we see every day at the Center for Black Educator Development.
Mr. Smith had not one, but two parents who were educators. He saw from a young age that being a teacher was a viable career–and a rewarding and empowering one at that. Yet, despite his proximity to education through his family, he had just one Black teacher his entire public school experience–a student-teacher he encountered in 10th grade.
“I felt a great sense of pride when he walked into the classroom,” he told WHYY in a recent interview. “He had a huge impact on my life. I knew then I wanted to be a teacher.”
That powerful experience is something that can transform the trajectory for young people. For Black students, having a Black teacher early in their schooling increases their likelihood of graduating high school and pursuing higher education. It can alter a young person’s perception of what is possible for themselves.
These educators not only serve as role models but also bring their personal experiences and cultural competence that foster deep, meaningful connections with their students. And this impact isn’t limited to Black students. Research shows that all students gain from being taught by teachers from diverse backgrounds, gaining exposure to perspectives that enrich their understanding of the world.
“All of my students know that my classroom is a safe space where they will be respected and treated with dignity,” he explained to WHYY. “They know that I care about them, but they also know that I expect the best from them.”
Unfortunately, Mr. Smith’s experience, both as a student and as an educator, is all too rare–even today. The paucity of Black teachers, especially Black men teachers, remains utterly staggering. While Black students make up about 15% of the U.S. K-12 student population, Black men account for less than 2% of all teachers nationwide.
“I wanted to make sure that no other young person went through their K-12 experience without having a Black teacher,” he told WHYY. “I wanted to be the teacher I never had.”
We know that Black teachers like Leon Smith are the exceptions, not the rule. The barriers to entering and staying in the teaching profession are steep, particularly for Black men. These include financial barriers and bias in teacher preparation programs, the burden of student loan debt, and the lack of mentorship opportunities.
Addressing those frustrating dynamics requires investing in and advancing policies and practices that support the recruitment and retention of Black educators. This includes reducing the cost of attendance in teacher preparation for aspiring educators, creating mentorship networks for pre-service and in-service teachers alike, and ensuring that school environments are affirming for Black professionals.
That’s why beyond his work in the classroom, Mr. Smith is actively building pathways for future educators. he served as a policy fellow with Teach Plus PA and he has created grow your own teacher program in his district for high school students interested in the teaching profession. He’s giving prospective educators what was so important to his journey: an opportunity to see themselves as a teacher. As the youth from the Center for Black Educator Development often tell us, #WeNeedBlackTeachers, so we will become who we wish we had and knew we needed.
Leon Smith’s recognition as Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year underscores why this work is so urgent and so important. His achievement is not only a celebration of his own dedication and skill but a reminder of what is possible when Black educators are supported, celebrated, and empowered to thrive. His journey demonstrates the profound impact one teacher can have—not only on their students but on the broader educational system.
