Caroline County Public Schools first welcomed Cheri in the fall of 1979, when she entered kindergarten. After graduating from North Caroline High in 1992 she attended Salisbury University, majored in elementary education, and concentrated in early childhood education. She earned her Master’s in Education from Salisbury University. In 1998 she was welcomed back to teach at Preston Elementary. Six years later, she transferred to Greensboro Elementary and has taught 3^rd grade, been a reading specialist, and currently teaches 1^st grade. Her desire is to create a positive feeling about school by teaching with a deep love and respect for children.

Charles County – Milton Somers Middle School
Stephanie F. Harris-Walent, Language Arts, Grade 7

Stephanie F. Harris-Walent is a Language Arts Teacher and Team Leader at Milton M. Somers Middle School in Charles County, Maryland. She has 19 years teaching experience in public and private schools. She was recognized in 2010 as an Exemplary Employee for her contributions to the reading program and dedication to student success. Also in 2010, she was nominated for the "Working Woman of the Year" Award. She is a SDB Fellow through Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Sarah D. Barder Fellowship program since 2009. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Salisbury University in 1992.

Dorchester County – North Dorchester Middle School
Valerie Lomax, Social Studies, Grade 8

Valerie Lomax graduated cum laude from Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Education. She has taught in Dorchester County for 21 years as a Special Education and Social Studies teacher. She has served on numerous county and school committees such as the Instructional Leadership, School Improvement and Common Core Transition teams. She is involved with writing curriculum for Financial Literacy, Service Learning, county benchmarks and Social Studies. She has mentored nine pre-service teachers from local universities. Mrs. Lomax is a Maryland Service Learning Fellow and received the National Citizenship Education Teacher Recognition Award.

Queen Anne’s County – Centreville Elementary School
Allison Kern, Physical Education, Grades PreK-2

Allison has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Salisbury University, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She is currently forming school-wide committees to participate in Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign and has set the bar high with 91% of her students reaching the healthy fitness zone this year. She is the Chairperson for her school Crisis Management Team and Faculty Advisory Committee, a member of the County Calendar Committee, and as part of Race to the Top, spent time writing performance indicators for each of the primary level standards in the Physical Education Maryland State Curriculum.

Somerset County – Somerset Intermediate School
Dawn Lankford, English, Grade 9

A native of the Chesapeake Bay region, Dawn earned her BA in English, Secondary Education (2000) and MA in Public School Administration from Salisbury University (2006). Dawn motivates reluctant learners to master literacy skills by designing authentic, technology-rich lessons. She incorporates current issues, local history, environmental and character education and serves as a school-based NorthBay educator each year. In 2010, 90% of her students passed the MSA, and 100% of her Special Educations students scored proficient or advanced, effectively closing the achievement gap. Dawn also volunteers with organizations that support the heritage of the Chesapeake Bay and cancer research.

Talbot County – Tilghman Elementary School
Angela Asmussen, Mathematics/Language Arts, Grades 3-6

Mrs. Angela Asmussen, a teacher at Tilghman Elementary, is a graduate of Salisbury University with a BS in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Teaching and Learning with Technology. She teaches Math for grades 3-6 and Language Arts for grade 6. She is the Service Learning Coordinator for her school, has served on the School Improvement Team, served as a mentor teacher, and assists in the “Just for Girls” afterschool program at Tilghman Elementary. She is actively involved in the Trappe Volunteer Fire Department serving as trustee and chairing various fundraising projects. She is currently the secretary for the Tilghman Area Youth Association (TAYA).

Washington County – Western Heights Middle School
Katharine L. Long, Social Studies, Grade 8

Katharine Long received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History at Salisbury University and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Educational Administration & Supervision at Frostburg State University. She serves as the Social Studies Department Leader, as well as the coordinator of the National Geographic Bee, and on the National History Day Project and Club. Mrs. Long writes county curriculum and serves on the School Improvement Team, the Instructional Technology Leadership Cohort, the Disciplinary Literacy Initiative Group, & Textbook Selection Committees. Mrs. Long also serves as a new teacher mentor through several university partnerships and enjoys volunteering throughout the county.

Wicomico County – Salisbury Middle School
Chad Pavlekovich, STEM/Science, Grades 7-8

Chad received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Salisbury Univeristy. His dedication to helping all students develop a greater understanding of science extends beyond the classroom to founding and facilitating such programs as Salisbury Middle’s, nationally recognized, Science Nights, the SMS Stem Academy, “Blast-Off!” a Summer Scholars program, and “From Stars to Stegosaurs,” a summer enrichment program for elementary students. Chad is a school leader, acting as ILT co-Chair, team leader, and mentor. Past recognition includes: M.A.S.T. Excellence in Science Teaching, Salisbury University Outstanding Mentor Teacher, and Wicomico County Environmental Teacher of the Year.

Worcester County – Snow Hill High School
Jennifer Sills, Science/Biology, Grades 9-11

Jennifer graduated from Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Secondary Education. She is currently completing a Masters from Towson University. In her eighth year at Snow Hill High School, she teaches Biology and Environmental Life Science. She wants her students to feel more interested and intrigued about science and the world around them and because she understands the importance of motivating students, she is spearheading a new committee which will develop motivational strategies aimed at raising student achievement. She also serves as a new teacher mentor, a National Honor Society liaison, and a Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies team member.