(WNY News Now) – Mrs. Jen Crickenberger named Quarter-Finalist in America’s Favorite Teacher competition.

Jen Crickenberger is currently in First Place out of approximately 60 educators.

Amherst, NY – Congratulations to The Park School of Buffalo’s Grade 3 teacher, Mrs. Jen Crickenberger, for becoming a Quarter-Finalist in the ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’ contest! The contest began on February 24, with supporters being able to vote for their favorite teacher daily. The Park community rallied behind Mrs. Crickenberger with voting daily (you can vote once every 24 hours) and sharing her link with friends, family, and on social media. She made it to the ‘Top 20’ in her initial group and has now moved on to the Quarter-Finals! While the 2025 number of entrants is currently not publicly disclosed, in 2024 the contest began with 75,000 initial nominees, with only 60 educators remaining in the Quarter-Finals round.

The grand prize winner will receive $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, a feature in Reader’s Digest, and a school assembly with Bill Nye the Science Guy!

Jen notes, “This year my class amazes me with their sense of unity and desire to learn science outside. We had tug of war and sledding competitions to experience unbalanced forces and friction. Recently during Grade 3’s Winter Survival Day, my class showed teamwork to build a dwelling we could have slept in. They wanted to, but I had to say no. It was way too cold! Once back in the classroom, they applied their learning through conversations and written reflections to demonstrate understanding. I am floored by the incredible support that my family, friends, and the Park community have shown me. It’s a dream making it this far!”

People 18 years and older can vote for free once a day through April 17 to advance Mrs. Crickenberger to the Semi-Finals. There is an option to donate through this contest to be able to vote more than once per day. The donation will go to The Planetary Society – the world’s largest nonprofit space organization, inspiring discovery through education, innovation, and a passion for the cosmos.

You can vote once every 24 hours here:

https://americasfavteacher.org/2025/jen-crickenberger

Thank you in advance for voting!

The Park School of Buffalo is Western New York’s only co-ed, PreK – Grade 12 and Montessori school. For 113 years, Park has authentically equipped its students with the academic skills, social confidence and ethical vision to become problem solvers who are dedicated to making the world a better place.