Semifinalists have been announced for the 2025 Rising Star Award for outstanding second-year teachers. These 16 semifinalists will now submit a video for a chance to win this prestigious award – and the $1,000 that comes with it — from Bill and Teresa McCain and the McCain Foundation.
Congratulations to the semifinalists for the 2025 Rising Star Award. In alphabetical order:
Alexis Bourassa, 3rd Grade, East Salisbury Elementary
Emma Chandler, 2nd Grade, Delmar Elementary
Vanessa Fleshman, Special Education, Delmar Elementary
Julia Glading, 2nd Grade, Glen Avenue Elementary
Kaitlyn Hall, Math, Wicomico Middle
Kelly Hendra, 2nd Grade, Prince Street Elementary
Nora Hetzler, Spanish, Wicomico High
Kylie Holland, Special Education, Wicomico Middle
Jacob Jackson, Electricity, Parkside High/CTE
Rich Kaiser, Criminal Justice, Parkside High/CTE
Hannah Lewis, Music, Beaver Run Elementary
William Mills, Physical Education, Wicomico Middle
Carly Muir, Prekindergarten, Northwestern Elementary
Megan Rickards, Math, James M. Bennett High
Ryan Smack, Physical Education, Salisbury Middle
Liam Zolper, Physical Education, Choices Academy
In the 1st round of scoring for Rising Star, 75 eligible second-year teachers were scored, with the teachers with the top 16 scores moving on to the 2nd round as semifinalists. In this 2nd and final round, the semifinalists will submit a 90-second video answering a question about teaching.
Following the judging of the videos, three teachers will be named the Rising Star finalists. They will attend the Wicomico Teacher of the Year Celebration with a guest on Thursday, April 10th at Venue 54, where the 2025 Rising Star Award winner will be named.
