Gibsonia, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced Tuesday that Pine-Richland High School teacher Michelle Switala, of Cranberry Township, is being named 2010 Teacher of the year.

Switala has been with the Pine-Richland School District since 1995 and teaches mathematics at the high school. She has taught all math courses at one time or other offered by PRHS and is dually certified in physics. She also serves as the PRSD Math Department Chair.

"This is a great accomplishment and speaks volumes of our entire staff," said Communications Director Rachel Hathhorn. "We were pleased to have two finalists to represent our district at the state level. Michelle is an excellent role model in education and will serve as a great mentor to teachers statewide."

Earlier this year, Switala was named a finalist along with Hance Elementary School teacher Barb Cornibe, also in the Pine-Richland School District. They were two of only 12 state finalists and the only finalists in southwestern Pennsylvania.

In March, Switala and Cornibe were named semifinalists along with Pine-Richland School District's Elementary School's Kelly Heckert, who is a teacher at Richland Elementary School.