Joe Welch is a 2022-2023 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow and is an 8th grade social studies teacher at North Hills Middle School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Joe is the 2022-2023 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year and was named one of four Finalists for the 2022 National Teacher of the Year program. An Apple Distinguished Educator and National Board Certified Teacher, Joe has previously served as a grade level team leader, National Junior Honor Society sponsor, and currently co-sponsors the North Hills Middle School History Club. He was previously honored as 2019 National Middle Level Educator of the Year by the Association for Middle Level Education as well as the 2019 Pennsylvania Social Studies Teacher of the Year. Joe earned his BA in History and BS in Secondary Social Studies Education from Duquesne University and his MA in Secondary Education and his K-12 Principal Certification at California University of Pennsylvania.
