Twenty-five educators from Wicomico County Public Schools have been named semifinalists for Wicomico Teacher of the Year, and have begun the extensive judging process that will lead to the naming of the next Wicomico Teacher of the Year on April 12.
This year’s Wicomico Teacher of the Year Recognition Program kicked off in November when nominations opened. On Jan. 12, a kickoff event was held at Beaver Run Elementary with the announcement of 72 quarterfinalists from throughout Wicomico County Public Schools. The names of the semifinalists – one for each school and a semifinalist to represent Special Programs – were announced at the end of the evening.
Semifinalists participated in the scored Fishbowl public speaking event at James M. Bennett High Jan. 30, with judges from the school system and community. In February, the semifinalists will submit a writing prompt and will sit for an interview with a blue ribbon panel of judges. Scores from these three activities will determine who will become the next Wicomico Teacher of the Year.
The annual Wicomico Teacher of the Year Celebration, with more than 200 guests including dozens of outstanding teachers, school administrators, and other supporters from the school system, Board of Education and community, will be held at Venue 54 near Delmar, Md. on Wednesday, April 12. That night four finalists – the teachers with the four highest total scores – will be announced. One of those finalists will then be named the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations and good luck to the 2023 semifinalists for Wicomico Teacher of the Year!
Semifinalists for Wicomico Teacher of the Year:
Beaver Run Elementary: Dr. Nan Richerson, Music
Bennett Middle: Deanna Marshall, English Language Arts
Charles H. Chipman Elementary: Bethany Simon, Kindergarten
Delmar Elementary: Jenna Purnell, 4th Grade
East Salisbury Elementary: Kirsten Biddle, 3rd Grade
Fruitland Intermediate: Danielle Pulliam, 5th Grade
Fruitland Primary: Kellie Martino, Prekindergarten 3
Glen Avenue Elementary: Tuishula “Tish” Wise, 3rd Grade
James M. Bennett High: Victoria Olinde, Math
Mardela Middle & High: Don Abbatiello, Social Studies
North Salisbury Elementary: Kelli Lewis, 4th Grade Magnet
Northwestern Elementary: Melissa Hileman, 5th Grade
Parkside High: Sherri Harkins, French
Pemberton Elementary: Brenda Rhoads, 5th Grade
Pinehurst Elementary: Andromeda Massey, Prekindergarten
Pittsville Elementary & Middle: Ken Dasher, Band
Prince Street Elementary: Emily Dale, 1st Grade
Salisbury Middle: Heidi Hershey, Math
West Salisbury Elementary: Tara Martens, Math Intervention
Westside Intermediate: Kara Watson, 2nd Grade
Westside Primary: Debbie Wessels, 1st Grade
Wicomico High: James “Matt” McMurdo, Special Education
Wicomico Middle: Michele Lilly, Math Intervention
Willards Elementary: Kelli Scholl, Physical Education
Special Programs: Dana Hetzler, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), English Language Support Center
