Pennsylvania teacher breaks barriers as first state educator to win national honor

Ashlie Crosson, an English teacher from rural Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, made history on April 29, 2025, becoming the first educator from the Keystone State to be named National Teacher of the Year.

From small town to national stage

Crosson's journey to national recognition began in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, population 8,000. As a first-generation college student herself, she understood the challenges her rural students faced in imagining lives beyond their small community.

"Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, I knew what it meant to feel disconnected from the wider world," Crosson explained. "I wanted my students to see themselves as global citizens, not limited by geography."

Innovative programs with global reach

Over her 14-year career at Mifflin County High School, Crosson developed groundbreaking programs that transformed how rural students engage with global issues:

Survival Stories: This innovative curriculum examines humanitarian crises through youth perspectives, connecting students with young people in refugee camps, war zones, and areas affected by climate change via video conferences.

MC Goes Global: Crosson secured funding to provide international travel opportunities for students who had never left Pennsylvania. Over 200 students have now visited 15 countries, with many receiving full scholarships.

"When students from our small town speak with peers in Syrian refugee camps or climate activists in Bangladesh, it changes their worldview forever," Crosson noted.

Breaking down barriers

Crosson's approach addresses unique challenges facing rural education. With 54% of her students qualifying for free or reduced lunch and many coming from families skeptical of higher education, she works to expand horizons while respecting local values.

"I never tell students they have to leave," she emphasizes. "I show them the world so they can make informed choices about their futures."

Her success is measurable: 94% of her students now pursue post-secondary education, compared to 67% before her programs began.

Presidential recognition

At the White House ceremony, President Biden praised Crosson's work: "Ashlie represents the best of American education — innovation, dedication, and the belief that every student, regardless of zip code, deserves a world-class education."

The award includes a year-long sabbatical to serve as an education ambassador, sharing her methods with teachers nationwide.

Student impact stories

Former student Maria Rodriguez, now studying international relations at Georgetown, credits Crosson with changing her life trajectory. "I was a farm kid who'd never been past Harrisburg. Ms. Crosson showed me I could engage with global issues from anywhere."

Another alumnus, James Chen, used skills learned in Crosson's class to start a nonprofit connecting rural American students with peers worldwide. "She taught us that rural doesn't mean isolated."

Addressing teacher shortages

Crosson plans to use her platform to address the critical teacher shortage, particularly in rural areas. "We need to show young people that teaching in rural communities is not a consolation prize — it's an opportunity to profoundly impact lives."

She's already working with Pennsylvania's education department to create rural teacher recruitment programs offering loan forgiveness and mentorship.

Classroom innovations

Crosson's teaching methods blend traditional instruction with cutting-edge technology:

- Virtual reality experiences transporting students to historical sites

- AI-assisted language learning for communicating with international peers

- Project-based learning addressing real community challenges

- Student-produced documentaries on global issues

The ripple effect

Since the announcement, Mifflin County has seen unprecedented interest in teaching careers, with education program enrollment at the local college increasing 40%.

"Ashlie showed our community that teachers can be innovators and change agents," said Superintendent Dr. James Wilson. "She's inspired a new generation of educators."

Looking forward

As she prepares for her ambassadorial year, Crosson remains focused on practical impact. She's developing a free online resource hub for rural teachers and planning a documentary series showcasing innovative rural education.

"This award isn't about me," Crosson insists. "It's about showing that transformative education can happen anywhere — in the smallest towns, with the most limited resources, if we believe in our students."

Her message to fellow educators is simple but powerful: "Your students' potential isn't determined by their zip code. Dream big for them, and they'll exceed even those dreams."

Ashlie Crosson's recognition marks not just a personal achievement but a celebration of rural education's power to create global citizens. From a small Pennsylvania town, she's proven that the best teaching transcends boundaries — geographical, economic, and imaginational.