Eight teachers were announced as finalists for Carroll County’s teacher of the year, at a recognition ceremony Wednesday evening hosted by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.
They include:
- Leslie Bollinger, mentor teacher at Cranberry Station Elementary School
- Jerome Georgiana, physical education teacher at Crossroads Middle School
- Amy Glascock, fifth grade teacher at Winfield Elementary School
- Jennifer Goffena, mathematics resource teacher at Shiloh Middle School
- Kristy Groomes, sixth grade science teacher at North Carroll Middle School
- Todd Hartshorn, social studies teacher at Manchester Valley High School
- Margaret Mayberry, a social studies teacher at Winters Mill High School
- Jami Robinson, English and math teacher at Runnymede Elementary School
A panel of judges from the chamber of commerce and the education community selected the eight finalists from among 806 teachers nominated by students, families, friends or peers, Superintendent Cynthia McCabe told the audience. Each of the finalists will receive $500 from the chamber. The chamber also awarded $500 scholarships to three other teachers to continue their education.
“Tonight, we recognize you for making a difference in the lives of your students,” McCabe said. “You are all outstanding ambassadors for our profession, and you answer the call every day to help build the future of our students.”
Mayberry, 38, of Hampstead, said she is grateful to be among the eight finalists, but was shocked when she heard her name called.
“We work really hard all year long,” Mayberry said, “and we don’t do it for any kind of recognition … but it’s definitely nice to have. It’s definitely nice to be able to get together with a bunch of other really incredible educators, and to be acknowledged, and to celebrate one another. It’s not something we do very often, so it’s nice to be able to do it.”
Mayberry has been a high school teacher for two years, after more than a decade as a middle school teacher. She said she likes to build rapport with students, making the classroom a welcoming learning environment, and encourage a love of learning.
Groomes, 47, of Hampstead, said she was surprised to be named a finalist.
“It’s just an absolute honor,” Groomes said. “Whatever we can do to better the education for our kids, as long as we make sure that they’re engaged and having fun, that’s what it’s all about for me, learning what needs to be learned.”
Groomes said she has a relaxed teaching style, which involves meeting students where they are and making lessons as engaging and enjoyable as possible.
Scholarship recipient Andrea Taylor, 49, a first-grade teacher at Runnymede Elementary, is pursuing a Master of Science in counseling with a school counseling specialization from McDaniel College. Taylor said she is motivated to continue learning to better serve her students.
“I’m very passionate about relationships with children and meeting the needs of the whole child,” Taylor said, “so I try to take that into the classroom as much as I can. The school counseling program has been fantastic, and I’m really excited to move on to the next phase.”
Taylor has been teaching for the last 15 years, and children have changed in that time. She said her students face more serious mental health challenges than children have in the past.
“Our children are struggling,” Taylor said. “I can’t teach effectively if they’re not with me, and the only way to make sure that they’re with me is that their needs are met, their basic needs as well as their mental health needs.”
Kaetlin Wienholt, an English teacher at South Carroll High School, and Victoria “Tori” Wolfe, a Title I resource teacher at Cranberry Station Elementary School, also received $500 scholarships.
Five adult members of the Carroll Education Coalition and three children welcomed attendees with signs meant to encourage educators, said Lisa Maisano, a Sykesville parent and the organization’s co-founder. The coalition formed to advocate for more funding for Carroll County Public Schools, amid budget plans that would renegotiate contracts that promised cost-of-living raises for employees and eliminate 92 staff positions.
“We just want the school system to know that we support them,” Maisano said, “and we support all of our educators, and everyone who works in the schools and helps provide our students’ education. They’re all valued, and they’re all appreciated, and we want to make sure that they hear that message loud and clear.”
Board of Education President Tara Battaglia said the awards ceremony is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the school system staff and what they mean to the community.
“There is a lot of advocacy,” Battaglia said, “and I appreciate their advocacy, but I think they just want to really feel appreciated, and this is a great opportunity to make sure they feel that.”
Chamber of commerce President Mike McMullin said the Outstanding Teachers Awards is among his favorite annual events.
“We have a lot of pride in you,” McMullin told the crowd, “and we know that people move to this area [because of the schools] because of what you guys do. You guys help drive what happens, from from being able to sell your home for a decent amount and businesses coming here, so thank you so much.”
The Carroll County teacher of the year will be announced at an employee appreciation ceremony on April 30 and will be eligible for Maryland teacher of the year.
Have a news tip? Contact Thomas Goodwin Smith at thsmith@baltsun.com.
