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Christine Hurley is Teacher of the Year

Posted May 1, 2020

Hagerstown, MD (May 1, 2020) – Christine Hurley, a library media specialist at Springfield Middle School, is the 2020-2021 Washington County Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made this afternoon at Washington County Public Schools’ (WCPS) Center for Education Services on a Facebook Live broadcast from Dr. Boyd Michael’s superintendent page.

As the winner, Hurley receives $6,000 to support her classroom from WCPS. Representatives from Hagerstown Honda also provided her with the keys to a 2020 Honda Accord EXL, which she will have to drive during her term as Teacher of the Year. In addition, Hurley received a technology package from Sprint-Shentel and a prize package from Chick-fil-A in Hagerstown.

“I am honored to have been selected from such an amazing group of dedicated and talented teachers, Hurley says. “I am proud to work alongside so many educators who are helping Washington County Public Schools students find their voices. All kids deserve to be heard. All voices matter.”

“We are so proud to have Christine Hurley as the Washington County Teacher of the Year,” says Dr. Boyd Michael, superintendent of schools. “She is innovative with her use of technology to engage students in their learning, and she instills in children a love for reading. She manages to connect students with their interests to find a book that will captivate them. She is an exemplary representative for all teachers at WCPS, and we look forward to seeing her represent our community at the state level.”

Hurley is in her 16th year in Washington County Public Schools. This is her third nomination for Teacher of the Year. Christine has previously been honored as an Outstanding Educator Using Technology, she is a National Board Certified teacher, and she was nominated for the first-ever Maryland State Librarian of the Year in 2016. She has connections outside of school that include running a Little Free Library out of her home for neighborhood families, involvement in Scouts, volunteering at the Children’s Literature Centre at Frostburg University and pioneering the first Girls Who Code group in WCPS at Springfield Middle.

The other finalists for Washington County Teacher of the Year were also presented with a check for $1,000 to support their classrooms. The finalists include:

  • Michael Bair, Boonsboro High School
  • Kirsten Firmi, Northern Middle School
  • Kirsten Leatherman, Eastern Elementary
  • Elizabeth McDonald, Washington County Technical High School

Hurley will now join a cohort of teachers of the year from 23 other school districts in the state who participate in professional learning experiences. They will all be considered for the title of Maryland Teacher of the Year, which is traditionally announced in the fall. 

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