Teacher of the Year

The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with Washington County Public Schools, is proud to recognize men and women who serve in a teaching capacity and who help ensure education excellence in Washington County. Anyone who has observed or benefited from an educator's skill and excellence is encouraged to nominate that individual. Students, parents, community organizations, businesses, colleagues, and administrators should submit nominations.

This year's dinner and recognition, sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, was held on April 17, 2013, at Fountain Head Country Club, Hagerstown.

Washington County's 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year

• Ayako Shiga – Boonsboro High School – Japanese teacher. Ayako has more than ten years of teaching experience with nine of those years in Washington County. She participants in the Japanese Global Articulation Project, a global network of Japanese language educators, the Japan Foundation, and University of Virginia Title VI (U.S. Department of Education). Ayako also received the Sakura Grant Award and National Cherry Blossom Parade Grant for the Japan Commerce Association and Japan America Society of Washington, DC. Ayako is active in her community, advising and assisting in preparing and putting together an exhibit on Japan for children at Discovery Station and leading a group of local high school students who were learning Japanese in participating in a fair to promote cultural awareness and diversity. Ayako says, "I find no other job more satisfying and rewarding than leaching languages, because it is my privilege to show students how learning a new language can open the door to a new world."

As part of her prize package, Ayako will enjoy the use of a car for one year courtesy of Hagerstown Ford and Hagerstown Honda/Hagerstown Kia, and represent the county in the State of Maryland's Teacher of the Year program. The Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet was held at Fountain Head Country Club in Hagerstown, MD.

Other 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year Finalists

• Beth Hoffman - North Hagerstown High School - 10^th grade English teacher - Beth has more than twelve years of teaching experience, three of those in Washington County. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, 2012 Freedom Writer Teacher and North Hagerstown High’s “Most Unforgettable Teacher.” Beth is active in her community as a Cub Scout leader and Upward Bound coach for North Hagerstown High School, in conjunction with Hagerstown Community College. Beth says, "A successful classroom needs to be a place where students are not afraid, but are encouraged to ask questions, seek clarification, make connections and where I can challenge their thinking."

• Sally Irwin – Washington County Technical High School – Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science teacher. Sally has more than nine years of teaching experience in Washington County. She was a 2012 Teacher of the Year Finalist and was nominated in 2010 and 2011. She received the Outstanding Career and Technology Program Award-Secondary for her Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science Program at Washington County Technical High School from the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Career and College Readiness in 2011 and the 2011 Career and Technology Awards of Excellence from State Superintendent Dr. Nancy Grasmick. Sally has been asked to present at elementary and middle school Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Nights. She is active in her community as a team mother for the North High girls soccer program and as a member of the North High Athletic Boosters. Sally says, "My greatest hope is not only to teach my students the demanding curriculum, but to inspire them to become lifelong learners who are not afraid to embrace the next challenge in their lives."

• Tameron Marriner – Rockland Woods Elementary School – Kindergarten teacher. Tameron has more than 25 years of teaching experience with 24 of those years in Washington County. She was a 2008 and 2010 Teacher of the Year Finalist, honored at  the Maryland Instructional Computer Coordinators Association conference as Washington County's Outstanding Technology user, and 2002 Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year. Tameron is active in her community as head coach of the South High cross country team, indoor track distance coach and spring track distance coach at South High, and a member of the South High Sports Boosters. Tameron says, "It is my job to instill in my students a love of learning and give them the confidence that they need to succeed in school."

• Matt Tack – Fountaindale Elementary School – 5^th Grade Magnet teacher. Matt has more than eight years of teaching experience with seven of those years in Washington County. He received the Maryland Society for Educational Technology (SET) Washington County Public Schools Outstanding Educator Using Technology Award in 2012, Mix 95.1 Teacher of the Week in January 2013, and received recognition as a Coalition of Essential Schools School-Nationally Affirmed 2012-2013. Matt is active in his community by volunteering with Fountaindale’s intramural basketball league and Girls Incorporated, and by working with student interns from North High. Matt says, "I am there to coach, consult, facilitate, answer questions and guide my students in ways that constantly move them forward."

Teacher of the Year Partner

The Teacher of the Year awards program is a partnership between the Washington County Public Schools and the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Questions concerning the program and nomination process should be directed to:

Donna Long
Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce
301-739-2015, ext. 101
Email: donna@hagerstown.org

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