|
Maryland Teachers of the Year 2010 - 2011
Nominees by City / County
Click on the smaller photo for a larger photo and bio.
Allegany County – John Humbird Elementary School
Joshua A. Cook, Grade 4
Joshua Cook received his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2001and his master’s degree in Administration and Supervision in 2006 from Frostburg State University. He started his teaching career in 2001 in Frederick, MD teaching first grade. After teaching for two years he relocated back home to Allegany County. He has been teaching at John Humbird Elementary School ever since and has taught multiple grade levels (2-5) specializing in reading and math support. Since Joshua’s arrival at John Humbird, he has been highly involved in the school community and has acted as the Partnership Action Chair, Emergency Planning Chair, School Improvement Team Member and School Achievement Team Member.
Anne Arundel County – Glen Burnie High School
Erin C. Sullivan, English as a Second Language
Erin Sullivan received her Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages from the College of Notre Dame. She is a Fulbright scholar and taught family literacy in Baltimore City before moving to Glen Burnie High School to teach ESOL in the newly created International Academy. Ms. Sullivan is currently completing a doctoral program in Instructional Leadership for a Changing Population. As the only trainer for both cultural proficiency and sheltered instruction in her county, she is leading the effort to advocate for ESOL students by sharing best practices with mainstream teachers.
Baltimore City – Commodore John Rogers Elementary School
Brian Rainville, Grade 3
Brian Rainville earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching at John Hopkins University. He believes his greatest accomplishments are those that created changes in the personal and academic lives of students. Leading third graders to achieve a 100% passing rate on the MSA, with 86% scoring Advanced in Math, was a victory. Foremost for Brian was guiding a student’s return to school following a year spent battling life threatening cancer, and attaining a prosthesis for him. His physical, emotional, and social needs met, he scored Advanced overall on the MSA.
Baltimore County – Franklin Elementary School
Ralene Jacobson, Vocal Music
Music and teaching children are the two passions of Ralene Jacobson’s life, which is why she has excelled for 29 years as a vocal music teacher in Baltimore County Public Schools, with the last 14 years at Franklin Elementary School in Reisterstown. With degrees from the Peabody Preparatory of Music, the University of Maryland College Park, and Towson University, she helped to write Baltimore County’s elementary vocal music curriculum guide. Coming from a family of educators, she is a strong advocate for the arts in education and believes that music touches and enhances learning across the curriculum. She lives the words of a prominent poster in her classroom: “Every Voice Counts.”
Calvert County – Dowell Elementary School
Doris L. O’Donnell, Kindergarten
Doris O’Donnell has been a passionate teaching professional for eleven years. She taught at Patuxent Elementary, where she was a Kindergarten Team Leader, Team Data Management Coordinator, and Academic Excellence Team member. She also served at-risk kindergarteners through an afterschool reading program. During Family Nights, she worked with parents in areas of math, reading, and technology. Doris led school and county staff development opportunities for SMARTBoard activities and differentiated listening centers. This is her first year teaching at Dowell Elementary School. Doris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University.
Caroline County – Colonel Richardson High School
Janna R. Michaluk, English
Janna Michaluk received her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education in English from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and her Master of Arts Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Salisbury University. In 2003, she began her teaching career in Caroline County at Colonel Richardson High School. Over the past seven years, she has served as a mentor teacher and is the varsity girls’ basketball coach. In 2008, Mrs. Michaluk was named Outstanding Educator by the Maryland State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented Education.
Carroll County – Century High School
Sharon Adedeji, English
Sharon Adedeji, English Department Chair at Carroll County’s Century High School since 2006, earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Maryland in 1996. She received her Masters of Arts Degree from the College of Notre Dame in 2002 and received National Board Certification in 2005. Adedeji began her teaching career in Baltimore County. In addition to teaching at Century, Adedeji has coordinated high school assessment plans for at-risk students, advised the student newspaper, SGA, the Class of 2011, and served as an Advanced Placement National Reader. Adedeji is a member of several professional associations including NCTE and ASCD.
Cecil County – Leeds Elementary School
Nicole Morris-Stauffer, Grade 4
Nicole Morris-Stauffer endeavors to engage young learners with lessons that stimulate dialogue and critical thinking. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the Pennsylvania State University and is a master’s degree candidate in School Leadership. She is a member of the school’s Instructional Improvement Team where she serves on the Writing Committee to create school-wide evaluation standards for all grade levels. Nicole writes language arts curriculum, provides professional development to teachers using continuous improvement strategies, and mentors college students majoring in education.
Charles County – Westlake High School
Mark S. Howell, Social Studies
Mark S. Howell graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education/History and Music. His teaching career encompasses elementary and middle schools with the last 17 years at Westlake High School, where he currently teaches U.S. History. He has served as Key Club sponsor, History Day Coordinator, and We The People teacher. Mark is active as a Civics Mosaic Fellow (a Russian exchange program). He assisted in creating an online teacher’s guide which generates an International Democracy Memory Bank for Civic Voices. He presented at the International Civic Education Congress in Warsaw, Poland. Mark volunteers as Director of Music at his church.
Dorchester County – Choptank Elementary School
Crystal Owens, Grade 1
Crystal Owens, a first grade teacher has six years of teaching experience at the elementary school level. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Salisbury University, A Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Washington College and a Master of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Baltimore. Crystal volunteers her time to serve on school committees, attend conferences, and mentor candidates pursuing certification. She recently received a grant from Salisbury University for Professional Development in Reading. Crystal believes that the greatest gift she can give to her students is a love for learning.
Frederick County – Urbana High School
Michelle Shearer, Chemistry
Michelle Shearer earned her B.A. in chemistry from Princeton University and her M.S. in Deaf Education from McDaniel College. The 2009 Maryland recipient of the Siemens Award for AP Teaching believes that “chemistry is for everyone.” Fluent in American Sign Language, she taught at the Maryland School for the Deaf, serving as Content Area Leader and coach of the 2005 National Champion Academic team. A dedicated mentor and former coach of varsity swimming and lacrosse at Urbana High School, she received the NJ Commissioner’s Distinguished Teacher Candidate Award and nominations for the Sallie Mae and Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher awards.
Garrett County – Yough Glades Elementary School
Robyn Nazelrod, Grade 4
Robyn Nazelrod, raised in Hawaii, graduated from Frostburg State University with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and is pursuing her Master’s in Administration and Supervision. During her eleven years of teaching, she has served on many curriculum and behavior committees and was instrumental in starting the Yough Glades Elementary schoolyard habitat. Robyn believes in differentiating instruction in all subjects, developing social responsibilities, and meeting the needs of all learners regardless of their circumstances. The rapport she establishes with students contributes to their desire to become lifelong learners and successful adults in their communities.
Harford County – North Harford Middle School
Lisa Mullen, Language Arts
Lisa Mullen graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and received the Annual Student Leadership Award. She earned her Master’s in Leadership in Teaching from the College of Notre Dame with a 4.0 G.P.A. Her thesis was accepted with honor, and she was awarded the Annual Academic Achievement Award. She has earned 30 credits beyond her Master’s. A 22-year veteran, she has written curriculum, presented in-service programs, served as a cooperating teacher, and was a previous Harford County Teacher of the Year Finalist. She uses data-driven analysis to differentiate instruction for students in her 8th grade Language Arts class.
Howard County – Glenelg High School
Matthew Kinloch, Science
A National Board Certified science teacher and ninth grade team leader, Matthew Kinloch earned a M.S. in geosciences from Mississippi State University, a M.A. in teaching from Bowie State University, and a B.S. in wildlife biology from Clemson University. Active in scientific research both before and since starting his teaching career, he conducted research on endangered whooping cranes at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Later, a National Science Foundation grant led to research results published in Current Biology and other scientific journals. Matthew shares his passion for the wonders of scientific discovery with students at all levels, teaching earth science, environmental science, ecological systems and astronomy.
Kent County – Kent County High School
Joseph M. Evans, Biology
Joseph Evans holds a B.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Maryland College Park and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola College. He has taught science for 14 years in Kent County; seven years at Rock Hall Middle and most recently at Kent County High where he teaches AP Biology, helped begin the county STEM program, and participates in numerous committees. In recent years, Mr. Evans has written HSA test questions and Bridge Projects. Mr. Evans is a member of both NSTA and NABT and is an active participant in several local and national environmental organizations.
Montgomery County – Montgomery Blair High School
James Schafer, Physics
James Schafer graduated cum laude with a Bachelors of Science degree from the College of William and Mary in Physics and Applied Mathematics in 2002. In 2007 he received National Board Certification for Science. He serves as Physics Team leader and mentor for physics teachers. He sponsors the Physics Club, which has won numerous competitions and this year a member of the club has reached the finals for the United States Physics Team. He coaches the Academic Team, which won the Washington Area It’s Academic Championship in spring 2009 and the national Knowledge Master Open in the fall of 2009. He is the recipient of the 2010 Marian Greenblatt award.
Prince George’s County – Barack Obama Elementary School
Tiffany Doster, Grade 5
Tiffany Doster now teaches fifth grade at brand new Barack Obama Elementary. For the past six years, she taught fourth grade at James Ryder Randall Elementary. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a master’s in Human Resource Development from the University of Maryland, and an advanced professional certificate in reading instruction. She is also pursuing National Board Certification. Doster chaired the Social Studies Department, was a new teacher mentor, and helped develop discipline and School Improvement plans. She was the cheerleading squad coach and chair of various school events and is active in her community, organizing service projects through her church and sorority.
Queen Anne’s County – Kent Island High School
Kristin Hurlock, Social Studies/Government
Kristin Hurlock, a social studies teacher at Kent Island High School, received her BA from Washington College in 2000 and her MAED in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix in 2009. She has maintained a 96% pass rate on the HSA for four years, with a pass rate of 100% in 2009. Kristin’s accomplishments are credited to her hunger for professional development. In addition to her accomplishments in the classroom, Kristin has successfully revitalized the school’s student advisory program, as well as led initiatives to improve attendance rates, reduce disciplinary referrals and improve communication with students and families.
St. Mary’s County – Leonardtown Elementary School
Arlene L. Sachs, Grade 1
Arlene L. Sachs received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Towson Univeristy and her Masters of Education in Remedial Reading from the University of Maryland. Ms. Sachs has been an educator in St. Mary’s County, Maryland for 34 years, all of those years at Leonardtown Elementary School. During her time at Leonardtown, Ms. Sachs has been on the PTA Executive Board, and the School Improvement Team. She has also been a mentor teacher, Primary Grades Chairperson and a Professional Development School liaison with St. Mary’s College.
Somerset County – Washington Academy/High School
Tanya Briddell, English/Drama
Tanya Briddell, a summa cum laude graduate of Washington College, is in her sixth year of motivating learners in her English I and Theatre classes. Utilizing the curriculum and dynamic learning clusters she developed, she inspires at-risk students by exuding enthusiasm for language and literature. Tanya has built her school’s drama program, directing nine productions and showcasing her students’ talent throughout the Eastern Shore. She has presented professional development that blends technology, drama, and instructional practices. Tanya is currently pursuing her M.Ed in Post Secondary Education at Salisbury University and is a recipient of the community’s Unsung Hero Award.
Talbot County – Easton Middle School
Jaclyn Spiker, Language Arts
Jaclyn Spiker is a sixth grade Language Arts teacher at Easton Middle School. She received her BS degree from Towson University in Elementary Education and her Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Loyola College. At Easton Middle, Mrs. Spiker serves on the School Improvement Team and in a leadership capacity for programs such as Why Try, Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) and the Olweus Bullying Program that impacts student success. She is also involved in a number of community-based projects including an afterschool program for at-risk students and various other projects through her local church.
Washington County – Washington County Technical High School
Marjorie Kellman, Health Occupations
Marjorie captures and enlightens her students in ways that build confidence and self esteem. Already a registered nurse, she received her BSN from the University of South Alabama in 1984 and in 1991, her MS in Education from the Florida State University. She has been a student government, HOSA and SkillsUSA advisor, receiving state and national accolades. Marjorie finds her accomplishments in not what she has done, but in what her students are able to do! More than 80% of her former students have continued their education and healthcare careers, and her program has a 100% pass rate on the Maryland CNA certification.
Wicomico County – Delmar Elementary School
Lisa E. King, Grade 3
Lisa King, is an honors graduate from Salisbury University with a BS degree in Psychology. Prior to her teaching career she was the co-director of the East Salisbury Family Center assisting at-risk students and their families. Lisa became a spokesperson for Salisbury’s Promise, a branch of America’s Promise. She has served as grade level and ILT - Instructional Leadership Team Chairperson, school climate task force member, mentor of interns and curriculum design participant. Lisa refines co-teaching and inclusion techniques to meet her student’s diverse needs and is routinely consulted by peers and administrators for her expertise in intervention strategies.
Worcester County – Snow Hill Middle School
Angela Landreth, Algebra
Angela Landreth graduated from Salisbury University with a BS Degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Mathematics Education. Now in her seventh year of teaching at Snow Hill Middle, Angela believes that, in addition to excellent teaching, it is her responsibility to encourage her students to build character and believe in themselves so that they may become responsible adults. She carries this commitment into the community by serving in her church’s homeless shelter project and Angel Food Ministries. Angela is also the Technology Action Team chair and a Positive Behavior Intervention Supports Committee member in her school.
|