Middle school health and physical education teacher Heather Fink began her teaching career with the district in the fall of 2015, following her graduation from Slippery Rock University, she told the Sun-Gazette.

“My goal is to have every student know, without question, that I care about them and their safety, both mentally and physically. The relationships I have built over the last (almost) 10 years continue to fuel the zeal I have for teaching,” her correspondence said.

Fink has until 10 p.m. Thursday, April 17, to secure the votes necessary to advance in the competition.

“I had many wonderful teachers growing up, but I found a passion for health and wellness that I wanted to instill in youth,” she is quoted as saying on the competition’s website, calling health “ever-changing, which makes it both interesting and frightening for any teen.”

Loyalsock Township health and physical education teacher Heather Fink is asking for the community's help being named "America's Favorite Teacher." Photo Provided.

“Introducing coping strategies and different approaches into their teenage world may help them as they take their next steps into adulthood either socially, mentally or physically,” her quote continued.

Though no specific instance comes to mind, Fink cited former students returning to her to offer their appreciation for her being “real, honest, positive and compassionate” as her most memorable teaching experiences, crediting those memories with helping her develop into the teacher she is today.

The winner of the competition will receive $25,000, a trip to Hawaii for two, an appearance in Reader’s Digest and a virtual Bill Nye school assembly, the website for the competition said.

Asked in the competition what she would do with her winnings, Fink said she plans to use it for updates to her home.

“We do not have any cooling and our heating system is failing, and it is exposing us to mold toxicity. We have had to move our toddler into a different bedroom in order to keep her warm enough on cold nights, since the heat in her room does not work,” she told the competition.

“I would use it toward a new heating and cooling system in our home that is safe, clean and reliable,” the quote continued.

Hosted by Colossal Management, LLC, the competition functions as a fundraiser for The Planetary Society, according to the site.

“Teachers are the real MVPs, shaping the future one student at a time. America’s Favorite Teacher is our chance to celebrate these everyday heroes who inspire, innovate, and make learning unforgettable. They’re not just teaching lessons, they’re building dreams and sparking curiosity that lasts a lifetime,” Colossal CEO Mary Hagen said in a press release announcing 2025’s competition.

Votes for Fink can be cast once every 24 hours at americasfavteacher.org/2025/heather-fink.