From Harford County Public Schools:
Veteran North Harford language arts teacher to compete for state title
Lisa C. Mullen, language arts teacher at North Harford Middle School, was named the 2010-11 Harford County Public School (HCPS) Teacher of the Year during a surprise announcement at the Harford County Teacher of the Year Banquet on Thursday, April 22nd at the Bayou Restaurant in Havre de Grace.
Board of Education of Harford County President Mark M. Wolkow along with Superintendent of Schools Robert M. Tomback, Ph.D., made the announcement on Thursday evening at the banquet/program that included guests County Executive David R. Craig, members of the Maryland senate and delegation, the county council, as well as school administrators, educators, students, family and friends.
“Each of our ten finalists including Ms. Mullen represent the teaching excellence of our more than 3,000 teachers in Harford County,” said Superintendent Tomback.
“The commitment these talented educators have to teaching our students is the key to our success in raising academic achievement, and I am very proud of their accomplishments.”
The daughter of a professor and a poet, Ms. Mullen’s parents influenced her decision to become an educator.
Today, she is a dedicated teacher, having been in the field for more than 22 years, serving in Harford County for 18 of those years, using creative tactics to ensure that each student is able to learn.
“Ms. Mullen helps all of her students understand what she is teaching,” said North Harford Middle School eighth grader, Morgan Wirtz, who nominated her for the award. “She has new and creative teaching styles that show how fun learning can be.”
A previous Harford County Teacher of the Year Finalist, Ms. Mullen earned her master’s (4.0 GPA) in Leadership in Teaching from the College of Notre Dame where her thesis was accepted with honor, and she received the Academic Achievement Award for Leadership in Teaching. She graduated cum laude from the University of
Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and received the School of Educa! on’s Student Leadership Award. In addition, she has 30 credits beyond her master’s.
From 1988-1992, she taught outside of Harford County before moving to HCPS in her current role at North Harford Middle School teaching language arts where she has been since 1992. Throughout her career with HCPS, she has written curriculum for the English Office, presented professional development programs and performed as a mentor for student teachers. She also served as a Team Leader, Team Recorder and as a School Improvement and School-Based Instructional Decision-Making Team member.
“Ms. Mullen integrates her daily lessons with enthusiasm, real-world applications and cooperative group work,” said Mrs. Susan Brown, HCPS coordinator of intervention. “Through her Student of the Month and Student of the Quarter incentive programs, she encourages all students to not only strive for their best, but to develop into responsible young adults.”
As the Harford County Teacher of the Year, Ms. Mullen will receive free use of a new car for a year courtesy of Jones Junction, a Dell laptop computer, a watch from Saxon’s Diamond Centers, an engraved globe and plaque; in addition, she will be awarded many dinner and bank gift certificates, local merchant gift cards and, $1,200 from HAR-CO Credit Union provided to all 10 finalists.
Ms. Mullen will also compete for the tittle of Maryland Teacher of the Year to represent teachers across the state as an education spokesperson. The state winner will be announced at the Maryland Teacher of the Year Gala in October.
Visit www.hcps.org for more information on 2010-11 HCPS Teacher of the Year, Ms. Lisa C. Mullen, as well as the top ten Harford County Teacher of the Year finalists.
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