Maryland Teacher of the Year Michelle Shearer today was named one of four finalists for the nation’s top teaching honor: National Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Shearer, a chemistry teacher at Urbana High School in Frederick County, was named the Maryland winner last October. She will be competing against teachers from Florida, Illinois, and Montana for the national honor.
“Michelle is a true educator, working diligently every day to help her students get the most out of the classroom experience,” said Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. “We could not be more proud of her as she takes the national stage. She is emblematic of the instruction taking place throughout our State, and the reason Maryland schools have been ranked at the head of the class.”
Ms. Shearer earned her B.A. in chemistry from Princeton University and her M.S. in Deaf Education from McDaniel College. The 2009 Maryland recipient of the Siemens Award for AP Teaching believes that “chemistry is everywhere, and thus chemistry is for everyone.” Fluent in American Sign Language, she also has taught at the Maryland School for the Deaf, serving as Content Area Leader and coach of the 2005 National Champion Academic team.
The four finalists for Teacher of the Year will be interviewed by a select panel in March. Announcement of the National Teacher of the Year will come in May.
The National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by the ING Foundation and Target, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the University of Phoenix and People to People Ambassador Programs.
The Maryland Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by Comcast, the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association, McDonald’s Family of Greater Baltimore, and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems. Platinum sponsors are Bank of America, Lockheed Martin, Verizon-Maryland, and Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.