State High administrator named Pennsylvania’s 2025 Principal of the Year. Here’s why
A Centre County educational administrator rang in the new year by receiving an esteemed statewide honor.
State College Area High School principal Laura Tobias was recently recognized as Pennsylvania’s 2025 Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Principals Association. Tobias, who became State High’s principal in 2021, is now a candidate to become National Secondary Principal of the Year later this year.
“I am honored and humbled to receive the Pennsylvania Principal of the Year award,” Tobias said in a Jan. 9 statement. “This recognition belongs to the fantastic team of students, faculty, staff and the entire State College community I’m lucky to work with daily. To the incredibly faculty, staff and students at State High, this award is as much yours as it is mine. And, of course, a heartfelt thank you to my family for always being there for me. Every leader is backed by a strong network of love and encouragement, and I couldn’t do this without you.”
The Pennsylvania Principals Association noted Tobias’ “exemplary leadership” through many projects at State High, including her work implementing new safety training programs for students and creating new learning centers to help students find academic assistance during school days. The group also highlighted State High’s mental health summits, which offer dedicated time to build relationships and discuss mental health issues.
State College Area School District Superintendent Curtis Johnson said Tobias’ award comes as the latest recognition of her hard work and impact at State High.
“We are extremely proud and excited to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of her leadership and dedication to our school community,” Johnson said in a written statement. “Laura’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education, her ability to inspire both students and staff and her passion for creating a positive learning environment make her an exemplary leader.”
In a Pennsylvania Principals Association news release announcing her award, Tobias said she is proud to lead a student-centered school that has improved its culture through a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support framework. She said State High often hosts school-wide celebrations and encourages students to respect their community and advocate for others.
“Every day, I am on the announcements to remind our students, ‘We love you, State High!’” she said.
Tobias began her career as an educator teaching history at Hammondsport High School in upstate New York and later taught at Smethport Elementary School in McKean County before serving as an instructional coach, history teacher and assistant principal at Penns Valley Area High School. She became an assistant principal at State High in 2016.
Tobias, a University of Buffalo graduate who earned a master’s degree at St. Bonaventure University, serves on the Hope Fund of Penns Valley board of directors and is a member of the staff support committee at her Spring Mills church. She lives in Centre Hall with her husband, Martin.
The Pennsylvania Principals Association’s membership includes roughly 3,300 elementary, middle school and high school principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders. The National Association of Secondary School Principals will announce its National Middle Level Principal of the Year and its National High School Principal of the Year in July.
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