Caroline County Public Schools -

We are proud to participate in the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Teacher of the Year Program!

The Maryland Teacher of the Year holds a prominent position as a state education spokesperson and is Maryland’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year. Each Teacher of the Year will have an important role representing their fellow teachers and working with education and community leaders to effect change.

In addition, the 24 local Teachers of the Year from each school district participate in numerous programs and engagements throughout Maryland during the year.

Criteria (set by MSDE) - Teachers of the Year should be:

• Full time teachers (classroom, resource, or media) who have completed a minimum of six years of classroom teaching (substitute teaching is excluded) by June 30, 2024. Out-of-state teaching can be included in the total number of years calculated.

• Articulate and willing to speak at numerous statewide conferences and other events;

• Outstanding teachers in their schools who have earned the respect of supervisors, students, parents, and colleagues;

• Experts in their field who guide students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence;

• Leaders in their schools, school systems, communities, and/or state or beyond;

• Teachers who have not been previously recognized as a District Teacher of the Year in Maryland;

• Able to attend important Teacher of the Year events beginning with the Teacher of the Year Gala and forum (in-person venues are tentative);

• Able and willing to represent Maryland as a National Teacher of the Year.

The Process:

• In January, Caroline solicits nominations from the staff and community.

• Nominations are sent to Human Resources to ensure MSDE criteria is met (assignment, length of service)

• Nominees are sent an application.

• A CCPS committee meets to review applications and choose finalists.

• Finalists are interviewed by the committee.

• The new Caroline teacher, along with the new Support Employee, are announced at a reception in April.

• The TOY name and MSDE application are submitted to MSDE in May.

• MSDE announces their finalists in August and the final winner at a statewide event in October.

We are proud to honor a Support Employee every year! MSDE does not have a statewide program; however, we believe our support employees deserve the recognition that comes from a program in their name.

Criteria:

• Three years in their current position by June 30, 2024

• Outstanding employees in their individual school or the district who have earned the respect of their colleagues

The Process:

• In January, Caroline solicits nominations from the staff and community.

• Nominations are sent to Human Resources to ensure employee is in good standing.

• A CCPS committee meets to review nominees and choose finalists.

• The new Support Employee of the Year, along with the new Teacher, are announced at a reception in April.