The following press release was issued today by Harford County Public Schools:
HCPS announces top ten contenders for county teacher of the year; Expert educators vie for prestigious title
The top ten finalists for the 2010 Harford County Teacher of the Year award have been released and are listed below. The judging panel had a difficult and unenviable task again this year with many outstanding teachers nominated for the award. Just to have been deemed worthy by a student, parent, administrator or someone else to be Harford’s Teacher of the Year from among the 2,900 teachers in the system is noteworthy.
Rachel Coutts – Havre de Grace Middle School – Language Arts
Thomas Dennison – Havre de Grace Elementary School – Kindergarten
Brooke Fisher – C. Milton Wright High School – Social Studies
Brian Folus – Bel Air, Joppatowne Elementary School – Instrumental Music
Susan Havran- Dublin, Norrisville Elementary School – Art
Sandra McMichael – Fallston High School – English
Lisa Mullen – North Harford Middle School – Language Arts
Jacqueline Smith – Joppatowne High School – Science
Melissa Surgeon – Abingdon Elementary School – Special Education
Jeffrey Winfield – Edgewood High School – MusicAfter this year’s Teacher of the Year Judging Committee reviewed and scored all nomination packets, the points were tallied resulting in this top ten group of dedicated educators, one of which will be crowned the 2010 Harford County Teacher of the Year. Each finalist will participate in an interview round with a panel of five judges on Monday, March 29th and Tuesday, March 30th.
A surprise announcement of the winner will take place at the annual Harford County Teacher of the Year banquet held on Thursday, April 22nd at the Bayou Restaurant in Havre de Grace. The Bayou Restaurant has graciously provided this event complimentary to Harford County Public Schools for more than 15 years.
Biographical information and photos of each finalist will be available on the HCPS website, www.hcps.org, in the coming weeks.
Congrats to all the finalists!!
Don’t you wish these awards got even half the attention of the Oscars?
When you think about it, good teachers have a greater impact on people’s lives than any actor.
I agree that great teachers have a greater impact, but I question the way they choose the top teachers. They can be nominated by their spouses. That doesn’t seem right to me. And my daughter had one of the teachers who was a finalist one year and he was in no way a great teacher. Something else that HCPS has messed up….
Thanks Sandy for always being a source of negativity and pessimism. I am sure you must be so fun to be around! (Please note sarcasm)
Congratulations to you for your dedication and hard work to your profession and the students of Harford County.
Thomas Dennison is one of the finest teachers I have ever encountered. I am thrilled he has touched the lives of my children. Congratulations to all on their outstanding nominations!