Erie 1 BOCES Hosts 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year
Erie 1 BOCES Hosts 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year
Erie 1 BOCES had a special guest on October 28, 2025, hosting Prince Johnson, the 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year.
Johnson, a strong advocate for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs who has spent the last 18 years as an educator at Food and Finance High School in Manhattan, was in the area visiting schools and was given a tour of the Potter, Harkness, and Calspan CTE Centers by Erie 1 BOCES administrators.
“It was great to have Prince Johnson at our campuses,” said Erie 1 BOCES Director of Career and Technical Education Scott Bindemann. “He shared some of his experiences collaborating with his CTE colleagues as a social studies teacher. We discussed the importance of exposing students to careers at an earlier age to make more informed decisions.”
Johnson was able to meet with staff members and students at the centers and learn about several different programs at Erie 1 BOCES.
“It was inspiring to see what is happening in Western New York with CTE and P-TECH,” Johnson wrote on social media. “Cosmetology, Dental Technology, Plumbing, HVAC, and Video Production and Recording Arts were just some of the workforce pathways I experienced. There are so many opportunities available for students to leave high school with employable skills.”
“The conversations about his own teaching experiences and journey, about the Potter Center and Career and Tech Education as a whole, about the future of teaching, and most importantly, about students, were professionally and personally rewarding,” said Lucas Vogel, Principal of the Potter CTE Center. “While his career has been spent teaching at the other end of the state in a much different setting, the issues, challenges, and hurdles that he and his students face were very similar to what we, our kids, and our teachers face.”
Johnson teaches 9th grade AP Human Geography, incorporating culinary themes into class assignments, as well as encouraging students to explore their heritage through the lens of culinary history, geography, and migration. He is also a mentor for new teachers, facilitates professional development, and is a member of his school’s leadership team.
With Johnson coming from a culinary school, the tours made sure to stop by the kitchens at each school to talk to teachers and students who share his passion. Vogel described Johnson’s conversations with staff members as universally positive and enjoyable.
“Mr. Johnson asked some really good questions about CTE, about the obstacles that are faced by our team, future opportunities that can be developed, and more,” Bindemann added. “It was a great visit.”
Each year, the New York State Education Department selects a Teacher of the Year whose passion for teaching, involvement in their community, and impact on their school’s culture far exceeds expectations. Locally, Betty Haynes, a social studies teacher from Cleveland Hill Middle School, was one of five finalists for the honor this year.
