HAGERSTOWN, MD (March 17, 2017) – Five finalists have been selected in in the Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year program. One educator will be chosen to succeed Teacher of the Year Kyle Dingle of Maugansville Elementary School and will be announced at the annual dinner and recognition at Fountain Head Country Club on April 26, 2017. The winner represents Washington County in the State Teacher of the Year program. The county program is a partnership with the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Finalists for the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year:

• David Dulberger – Emma K. Doub Elementary School – 5th grade magnet teacher – Dave has taught for five years in Washington County. He has been active in the Apple Distinguished Educator program since his induction in 2015 and served as a leader on the Teacher Advisory Committee for the WCPS Digital Learning Plan. In the past year, Dave has presented at professional development conferences in Maryland, Virginia and Florida. He has run an after-school Frisbee/Coding club and volunteers at PTA events. Dave says, “I ask myself if the lessons I have prepared would engage me and if the learning environment my students and I are creating is one that I would have liked to have learned in. I am confident that my classroom, which I call 5th Grade University, is a safe and engaging learning environment.”
• Joshua Edwards – Clear Spring High School – Visual arts teacher – Josh has taught for WCPS for 12 years. He is a previous Teacher of the Year finalist. Of numerous awards and honors, Josh’s most recent recognition is a 2017 nomination for Maryland Outstanding Educator Using Technology. He is consistently involved in his schools and community, having started an art club at each school where he has taught and been an active, participating member of Hilltop Christian Fellowship in Clear Spring. Josh says, “I always stress the ‘why’ of every lesson. Empowering students with ‘why’ they are learning is crucial for a deeper and richer understanding of the curriculum.”
• Carolyn Holcomb – Western Heights Middle School – Merit science teacher – Carolyn has taught in Washington County Public Schools for five years, added to ten years prior teaching experience in Maryland. She has been a Teacher of the Year finalist on two previous occasions. Carolyn has been involved in professional development activities related to science and is very active in organizations and activities for the students at Western Heights. Carolyn says, “My daily goal is to inform, inspire and ignite, constantly drawing from my ever-changing bag of teaching tricks.”
• James Rossi – Northern Middle School – Social studies teacher – James has taught for two years in Washington County Public Schools, following five years teaching elsewhere in Maryland and one year teaching in another state. He has been part of a fellowship with the James Madison Legacy Project this school year and served as a Ford’s Theatre National Oratory Teaching Fellow from 2011-2016. Since 2016, James has also been a Master Teacher in the Ford’s Theatre National Oratory Program. He has been very active with the Northern Middle Student Government Association (SGA), helping coordinate Veterans Day celebrations the past two years, an appearance by the C-Span Campaign 2016 bus last fall and various events benefitting others. James describes himself as a facilitator, saying, “I act as a guide for my students as they defend their opinions on a daily basis. My classroom is a learning community that is student centered, differentiated and technology driven.”
• Ashley Vascik – Boonsboro High School – Social studies teacher – Ashley has taught for eight years for WCPS. Twice before, she has been a Teacher of the Year finalist. Ashley has earned National Board Certification in Social Studies and Apple Teacher certification, has served seven years as coach of the championship Boonsboro High We the People team and has been selected as a James Madison Legacy Project Mentor. She is also active in county and school-based associations and initiatives, including the Boonsboro High School Improvement Team and the county Secondary Task Force. Ashley says, “I provide a learning environment rich in student-to-student interaction with lively class discussion and debate. I work to build a classroom culture that is filled with a passion for learning and content knowledge.”