Western Pa. educator named state's top teacher

HARRISBURG - Rebecca Snyder, a Western Pennsylvania language arts teacher, yesterday was named Pennsylvania's 2009 Teacher of the Year.

Snyder teaches film media and 11th-grade English at Greater Latrobe Senior High School, about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh. She was among a dozen finalists competing for the honor, and will represent Pennsylvania in the national Teacher of the Year competition in Washington. The national winner will be chosen in April.

Local finalists were: Diane Heitzenrater, technology education, Hatsboro-Horsham School District; Marilyn Rothberg, library science, Great Valley School District; and Gary Vetre, mathematics, Upper Darby School District.

- AP