From Harford County Public Schools:
Lawrence M. Jehnert, third grade teacher at Edgewood Elementary School and 12-year educator with Harford County Public Schools (HCPS), was named the 2014-15 HCPS Teacher of the Year during a surprise announcement at the 20th Annual Harford County Teacher of the Year Banquet. The dinner banquet for 150 guests, provided by Lou Ward, owner of the Bayou Restaurant in Havre de Grace, and HAR-CO Credit Union, was held on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at the Bayou Restaurant.
Board of Education of Harford County President Nancy Reynolds, along with Superintendent of Schools Barbara P. Canavan, made the announcement on Wednesday evening during the program that included guests Harford County Council President William K. Boniface, County Executive David R. Craig, members of the Maryland senate and delegation and the county council, as well as school administrators, educators, students, family and friends.
“The Teacher of the Year banquet is an event where we celebrate the vocation of teaching,” shared Superintendent Barbara Canavan. “Mr. Jehnert exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated teacher and consummate professional. I am extremely proud that he will be representing Harford County Public Schools teachers at the state level. Mr. Jehnert represents teachers across our county who are making an integral impact in the lives of our children.”
Mr. Jehnert is proud to serve the Edgewood community. He teaches with fierce commitment to learning and unwavering determination to reach each and every student. When delivering instruction, he takes a patient approach and focuses more on developing each student and his or her skill set, realizing that accomplishments and achievements will come in time. During the 2012-13 school year, 87 percent of students in Mr. Jehnert’s homeroom achieved proficient or advanced status on the MSA.
While Mr. Jehnert is proud of the testing results his students have achieved, he considers behavior to be his passion, and feels that behavior has always been the aspect of a student he is able to best develop. He attempts to build a positive personal connect with not just the students that walk through his classroom door, but every single student within Edgewood Elementary School.
“Mr. Jehnert’s impact at Edgewood Elementary – on his students and colleagues – is anything but ordinary,” said Edgewood Elementary School teacher Erika Jones, who nominated him for the award. “He can be credited with truly infusing our school days with positivity. The kids look at him, wide-eyed, and listen to his honest stories about what he was like as a student and how far he has come. They connect and engage with him in a way I have never seen with any other teacher.”
Mr. Jehnert is an active member of his school, not just in his personal classroom. He was closely involved with the School Improvement Team for many years, where he contributed his knowledge, viewpoints and experience to further the common good of Edgewood Elementary School. Three years ago, he stepped into another leadership role for his school as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Team Leader. In this capacity, he overhauled the entire program and continues to work tirelessly and collaboratively to improve the overall behavior of the students in his school. In addition, he coordinated a professional development seminar for teachers and staff of Edgewood Elementary on the Pyramid of Success, where they developed morals and character traits that are vitally important to the student demographic at Edgewood Elementary.
Mr. Lawrence Jehnert holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Elementary Education, both earned at Towson University. Mr. Jehnert began his teaching career at Edgewood Elementary School in 2002. During his tenure, Mr. Jehnert has achieved the Greater Excellence in Education Foundation’s Everyday Hero honor (2012) and Boys and Girls Club Teacher of the Year honor (2004).
As the Harford County Teacher of the Year, Mr. Jehnert received free lease of a brand new 2013 Mazda3 for one year courtesy of Cook Auto, a Dell laptop, a watch from Saxon’s Diamond Centers and a custom ring from Jostens. In addition, he was awarded multiple dinner and bank gift certificates, local merchant gift cards and $1,200 from HAR-CO Credit Union provided to all five finalists.
Mr. Jehnert will also compete for the title 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 the 2014-15 HCPS Teacher of the Year, Mr. Lawrence M. Jehnert, as well as the five Harford County Teacher of the Year finalists.
A rare success story out of Edgewood. Congrats
I wouldn’t call it rare. Multiple teachers from the Edgewood area schools have been nominated for the award in the past few years. The Maryland Principal of the Year is from Edgewood High. While its easier to make the traditional comments about the Edgewood area, its just lazy.
A lot of faculty from Edgewood. Is it just a coincidence or is it something else?
What’s the teachers union position on 1 teacher being “teacher of the year” and winning awards, etc.?
Ooh, thumbs down? So you are telling me that the all the “proclaimed” public school educators who make negative comments about their employer, county, etc. here WOULD NOT accept ‘said’ awards if they were chosen the winner of Teacher of the Year?
I have a feeling they would say completely opposite comments compared to how they represent their feelings and attitudes here. Am I right? Yep.
Thumb me downn!! Wahhhh!!
It’s thumbs down simply because you are trying to incite people to follow you down this path of negativity.
So proud of my son and the school he and my daughter- in- law call home! Edgewood Elem is an amazingly good and wonderful school; they have taught there for 12 and 15 years respectively. They both love those children and give it there all. Every teacher that walks into a classroom everyday to face its challenges are to be commended. To all of them, I say thank you for all that you do!!!
Edgewood and Aberdeen have always had good teachers. As far as the HCEA is concerned, I don’t care what it thinks. This is an honor for good teachers, as it should be.
Congratulations to Mr. Jehnert and to his school community! HIs enthusiasm for teaching and his commitment to his students deserve to be celebrated. HCEA does not have any reason to take exception to a program funded by donations and conducted fairly. I hope Politically Correct shows at the March on April 8th to add his or her voice to the conversation. All teachers could be honored with a fair wage and a promise kept. I hope that Mr. Jehnert enjoys this recognition and that more eyes are opened to the outstanding teachers and administrators who work in the Edgewood schools.
Can the 1 year lease on a brand new car be exchanged for monetary compensation? Of course, this is something to talk about privately with the owners of the business.
I definitely wouldn’t accept the 1 year lease on an automobile. As the representative came up to hand me the keys I would go and sit back down, leaving the most uncomfortable, yet hilarious as ever social situation ever.
Congratulations to Mr. Jehnert and everyone at Edgewood Elementary School! This is a well-deserved recognition of the hard work that is done at Edgewood Elementary every day. Go Edgewood!!
Edgehood elementary.
If I won, it would be full speed ahead as I go on a 15 minute rant about how bad HCPS sucks. Wow, socially awkward but hilarious as hell. I’d be the first person who won and got shit canned the same night.
Up yours.
I have substituted for Mr. Jehnert, luckily having met with him before his meetings. He’s a GREAT teacher and certainly deserves every accolade mentioned in the article. ANYONE who disparages those that teach in our communities that have some especially trying students should be ashamed of themselves. As a matter of fact, instead of wasting your time posting nonsense, why don’t you get up from your computer or put down your smart device and get involved in the community making a positive difference! Believe me, it’s real tough, both physically and emotionally, dealing with some of the situations. But, when you affect a happy outcome, it’s a great feeling.
Every teacher deserves teacher of the year in this county.
As far as Edgewood, in one ear, out the other.
Sour grapes……as in any profession, some are better than others!