] >> HELLO.

I AM DARLA STRAUSS DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2021-'22 PROGRAM AND I AM HERE WITH A PERSON WHO HAS HOSTED THE MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2021-'22 GALA FOR 28 YEARS, A FOUND AND RENOWNED NEWS ANCHOR, DENISE KOCH OF WJZ13.

WE WELCOME YOU.

DENISE, IT'S SUCH A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU HERE TONIGHT.

I KNOW FOR MANY YEARS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN AN MC FOR THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR GALAS, YOU SAID IT WAS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE EVENTS.

>> FAVORITE, IF NOT THE FAVORITE EVENT EVERY YEAR.

THANK YOU, DARLA.

I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE EACH YEAR I AM SO IMPRESSED BECAUSE WHEN I SEE THESE TEACHERS, THEY DESERVE OUR THANKS AND RECOGNITION.

I KNOW THE PARENTS WORKING FROM HOME WORKING WITH THEIR CHILDREN THE PAST MANY MONTHS, I KNOW THEY DEFINITELY AGREE THAT OUR TEACHERS DESERVE THE CELEBRITY STATUS AND DESERVE ALL THE HONORS THAT WE CAN GIVE THEM.

DARLA, I KNOW THAT THIS IS YOUR 31ST TEACHER OF THE YEAR SEPARATION -- CELEBRATION WHICH IS KIND OF AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

THIS PROGRAM IS.

ER THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND REALLY THROUGHOUT THE NATION.

I SEE ALSO THAT BETWEEN US WE HAVE THE BULL, WHICH IS A REMINDER OF THE PAST MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS.

I OFTEN MENTION MY AUNT SHEILA WAS VISITING ME ONE YEAR FROM SAN DIEGO.

HE WAS A RETIRED TEACHER AND THEN TAUGHT TEACHERS.

SHE CAME TO ONE OF THE GALAS WITH ME, WHEN IT WAS OVER I TOOK HER IN THE CAR TO TAKE HER HOME, IT WAS PRIOR TO PANDEMIC, SHE HAD TEARS IN HER EYES.

SHE WAS SO MOVED BY THIS PROGRAM , SHE TOLD ME IN ALL OF HER YEARS TEACHING AND TEACHING TEACHERS, SHE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH AN AMAZING TRIBUTE TO SO MANY DESERVING PROFESSIONALS.

>> I LOVE THAT STORY.

WE THIS YEAR HAVE A NEW STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

I AM TOLD HE'S MET HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND HAS HAD A RUNNING START SINCE STARTING HIS JOB SINCE JULY FIRST-ED MOHAMMED CHOUDHURY HAS A VISION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS FOR EVERY STUDENT IN OUR STATE.

THOUGH HE IS UNABLE TO BE WITH US ON THE SET WITH US TONIGHT, HE SHARES HIS CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TEACHERS BY VIDEO.

>> HI, I AM MOHAMMED CHOUDHURY, MARYLAND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

GRAMSES TO THE 24 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR HONORED TONIGHT.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THE EXPRESSION THAT TEACHERS CHANGE LIVES AND THEY DO.

ON MANY LEVELS, WE HAVE TOO LONG IGNORED THEIR CRITICAL INFLUENCE IN SHAPING THE SUCCESS AND FAB RIC OF OUR COUNTRY.

WE KNOW THE MOST IMPORTANT SCHOOL-BASED FACTOR IN STUDENT SUCCESS IN THE EDUCATOR IN THE CLASSROOM EACH DAY.

I KNOW THE GREAT THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BECAUSE I HAVE LIVED THEM, BOTH AS A STUDENT AND A TEACHER.

AS A YOUNG BOY GROWING UP IN CALIFORNIA AND ATTENDING A LARGE LY LOW INCOME SCHOOL, I CAN ATTEST THE IMPORTANCE OF EXEMPLARY TEACHERS IN MY LIFE.

AS I WAS READING THIS YEAR'S CANDIDATES, I CAME ACROSS SUPPORT LETTERS FROM STUDENTS OF ALL AGES.

ONE STUDENT SAID WITH ABSOLUTE STUDENT MY TEACHER WAS ONE OF THE MOST INTELLECTUAL AND SUPPORTIVE TEACHER I HAVE MET.

ANOTHER STUDENT SAID THIS TEACHER GAVE ME HOPE FOR THE FUTURE AND GAVE ME CONFIDENCE.

THE TEACHERS WROTE ESSAYS AS WELL.

THEY SPOKE OF THEIR PASSION.

THEY WERE GRATIFIED TO SEE THEIR STUDENTS IMPROVE AND ACHIEVE.

WHO AMONG US DON'T REMEMBER THE TEACHERS WHO MEANT THE MOST?

THE ONES THAT EXCITED US AND URGED US TO BE OUR BEST?

WHO TAUGHT US THE VALUE OF WORK AND STUDY AND THE DOORS THAT WE OPEN.

WE THINK OF THEM AND WE COME TO APPRECIATE THEIR VALUE.

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO EXTEND HEARTFELT THANKS TO ALL THE TEACHERS ACROSS THIS GREAT STATE .

TO OUR 24 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AND OUR FINALISTS AND SOON TO BE NAMED MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

OUR TEACHERS SET THE BAR HIGH AND IN DOING SO, RAISE US ALL TO NEW HEIGHTS.

THANK YOU TEACHERS OF MARYLAND.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO EXCITING YEARS AHEAD KNOWING THAT EDUCATION IS FRONT AND CENTER IN MARYLAND.

WE ARE TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE A HUGE INVESTMENT OF RESOURCES HELPING GUIDE US AND TEACHERS ARE ALWAYS AT THE HEART OF EDUCATION AND CHANGE AND SUCCESS .

WE WISH MR. CHOUDHURY THE VERY BEST AS MARYLAND'S EDUCATION LEADERS.

LET'S MEET SOME OF OUR GREAT TEACHERS OF THE YEAR.

AS A SIDE BAR, THE TEACHERS RECORDED THEIR OWN AUDIO.

THANK YOU MPT FOR YOUR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE TO HELP IT ALL LOOK AND SOUND AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE.

[ MUSIC ] >> AS AN EDUCATORS, I BELIEVE THAT EVERY STUDENT CAN AND WILL EXPERIENCE SUCCESS IN MY CLASSROOM.

LOOK, EDUCATION IS NOT A SINGLE ROAD OR PATHWAY.

IT'S FULL OF DETOURS, POTHOLES AND SOMETIMES -- STUDENTS PATH TO GREATNESS NO MATTER HOW BUMPY THE ROAD IS TO GET THERE.

[ MUSIC ] >> I MOTIVATE MY STUDENTS WITH THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT RS IN EDUCATION -- RELATIONSHIPS AND -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] WITH RELATIONSHIPS STUDENTS KNOW WHEN THEY WALK IN MY CLASSROOM THEY ARE LOVED, SUPPORTED AND CARED FOR.

WITH RELEVANCY, THEY ARE PASSIONATE AND EXCITED ABOUT THE CONTENT BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT DIRECTLY RELATES TO THEIR FUTURE CAREER GOALS.

[ MUSIC ] >> BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS IS LIKE PUTTING TOGETHER A PUZZLE.

YOU NEED TO GET ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER THROUGH RESEARCH IN ORDER TO GET A BETTER IDEA OF WHO THE WHOLE STUDENT IS, NOT JUST THE PIECES THAT THEY SHOW YOU.

[ MUSIC ] >> MEETING MY STUDENTS THIS YEAR WAS THRILLING BECAUSE MAKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT BEING A TEACHER AND I TEACH TEENAGERS AND WHETHER THEY WANT TO OR NOT, THEY WEAR THEIR EMOTION RIGHT THERE ON THEIR FACE.

IT WAS SO GREAT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK THEM IN THE EYE AND REALLY SEE IF THEY WERE DOING OKAY.

[ MUSIC ] >> YOU KNOW, DENISE, MARYLAND'S PROGRAM IS ADMIRED NATIONALLY BECAUSE OF OUR MANY DEDICATED CORPORATE SPONSORS.

A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPONSORS.

OUR PRESENTING SPONSORS ARE COMCAST, MARYLAND OKLAHOMA DEAL ERS STUDY GUIDES ASSOCIATION , McDONALDS FAMILY RESTAURANTS OF BALTIMORE.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION, AND SMART TECHNOLOGIES.

OUR PLATINUM SPONSORS AT MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, NTA LIFE - A HORACE MANN COMPANY, AND WHITING TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY.

AND OUR GOLD SPONSORS -- BANK OF AMERICA, THE MARYLAND STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, AND WJZ13.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT.

>> AND NOW LET'S MEET A FEW MORE OF OUR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS OF THE YEAR.

[ MUSIC ] >> WHEN I TEACH VIRTUALLY, I EMPHASIZE THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.

WHETHER THOSE RESOURCES ARE FOR ACHIEVING ACADEMIC GOALS OR MEETING PERSONAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS, MY COMMITMENT IS A PLACE WHERE STUDENTS CAN ACCESS WHAT THEY NEED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS , FIND SUPPORT AND FEEL SUCCESSFUL.

>> THE DEVELOPMENT OF MY STUDENTS' GROWTH MINDSETS, PROBLEM SOLVING, CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM ARE PARAMOUNT.

WHETHER WE ARE SHARING OUR POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS FOR THE DAY OR WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE A PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THAT ENTER ING MY STUDENTS -- SAFE ENOUGH TO TAKE RISK IS NOT ONLY VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THEIR SUCCESS, BUT ALSO TO MINE AS THEIR TEACHER.

>> ONE OF MY FAVORITE AREAS IN MY CLASSROOM IS MY COLLECTION OF FLAGS FROM COUNTRIES I HAVE TRAVELED TO AROUND THE WORLD.

I WANT MY STUDENTS TO BE TRUE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY LEARNERS.

PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO MY CURRICULUM IS ONE OF THE MANY WAYS I ENGAGER MY STUDENTS AND THEIR LEARNING.

[ MUSIC ] >> WHEN IT COMES TO MOTIVATING STUDENTS, IT'S ALL ABOUT RESPECT .

I PROVIDE A CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, ACADEMICALLY ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT WHERE MY STUDENTS THRIVE.

WHEN STUDENTS FEEL.

ER BY THEIR PEERS AND TEACHERS FOR WHO THEY HAVE RAND FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN CLASS, THEIR CONFIDENCE GROWS AND THEY ARE MORE MOTIVATED.

>> SO TERRIFIC.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A DIFFICULT YEAR AND A HALF AND GOVERNOR HOGAN OFTEN ADVISEED US TO STAY MARYLAND STRONG.

PERFECT WORDS FOR THE RESILIENCE NEEDED BY EVERYONE AND CERTAINLY OUR TEACHERS.

THEY OFTEN WORKED DOUBLE DUTY IN VIRTUAL AND IN CLASS SETTINGS.

LET'S HEAR WORDS OF APPRECIATION AND CONGRATULATIONS FROM OUR GOVERNOR.

>> I AM HONORED TO JOIN YOU THIS EVENING FOR THE ANNUAL MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR SPECIAL.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF MARYLAND 'S DEDICATED EDUCATORS FOR KEEPING OUR STUDENTS SAFE AND LEARNING THIS PAST YEAR.

YOU HAD TO LOOK OUT NOT ONLY FOR YOUR STUDENTS, BUT ALSO FOR YOUR OWN FAMILIES AS WELL.

DURING SUCH A DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING TIME, I AM ESPECIALLY PROUD OF YOUR PERSEVERANCE, INGENUITY AND COMPASSION.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR TEACHERS ARE PROOF THAT WITH A STRONG COLLABORATION BETWEEN DEDICATED EDUCATORS AND FAMILYIES AND COMMUNITIES, WE CAN OVERCOME IN CREDIBLE CHALLENGES TO GIVE EVERY CHILD IN MARYLAND REGARDLESS OF WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD THEY HAPPENED TO GROW UP IN, A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION.

THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF TONIGHT'S HONOREES.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

LET'S MEET A FEW MORE OUTSTANDING TEACHERS OF THE YEAR .

[ MUSIC ] >> IN MY CLASSROOM, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IS A TOP PRIORITY.

AS TEACHERS, WE CAN LEAD BY EXAMPLE BY WILLING TO SHOW OUR VULNERABILITIES.

ONCE THAT CONNECTION AND TRUST HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, STUDENTS WILL COME TO CLASS WITH THE PERSONAL FREEDOM TO BE ABLE TO TAKE RISKS AND BE THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES.

[ MUSIC ] >> I VISITED EACH STUDENT AT THEIR HOME BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

I GOT TO MEET THEIR PARENTS, THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND EVEN THE FAMILY PETS.

WE MET UNGARAGES, THROUGH CAR DOORS AND SOMETIMES EVEN ACROSS THE STREET.

NO MASK COULD HIDE THE JOY AND EXCITEMENT OF MEETING A NEW FRIEND AND EMBARKING ON A NEW AND INCREDIBLE JOURNEY TOGETHER.

[ MUSIC ] >> AS A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME TO MAKE THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE POSITIVE FOR THE GENERATION BEHIND ME.

I USE THE PERSPECTIVE OF MY OWN EXPERIENCE TO MAKE MY CLASSROOM A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL STUDENTS.

WHEN KIDS FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IN A JUDGMENT-FREE ZONE, THEY FEEL FREE TO TAKE EDUCATIONAL RISKS NECESSARY FOR HIGHER LEARNING.

>> I THINK THAT MY APPROACH TO TEACHING HAS ALWAYS BEEN THROUGH MY LOVE OF LEARNING AND BEING A TEACHER ALLOWS ME TO LEARN NEW THINGS ALL THE TIME.

IT REQUIRES ME TO LEARN NEW THINGS AND I AM LUCKY TO BE SURROUNDED BY COLLEAGUES THAT VALUE LEARNING FOR LEARNING SAKE .

I HOPE I MODEL THAT LOVE OF LEARNING TO MY STUDENTS.

I WANT THEM TO GET ADDICTED TO LEARNING.

I WANT THEM TO ASK QUESTIONS AND STAY CURIOUS.

>> HE'S PAST MONTHS HAVE BROUGHT SO MANY CHALLENGES, BUT ALSO SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION .

A PERSONAL JOY FOR ME WAS HAVING TIME TO PLAY THE PIANO AND TO WRITE A FEW SONGS.

I AM DELIGHTED THAT A SONG I WROTE AND PERFORMED IS TEACHERED TONIGHT, INSPIRED BY THE MANY TEACHERS I HAVE KNOWN ALONG THE WAY.

IT WAS RECORDED AT MY HOUSE ON AN iPAD.

I HAVE TO SAY THANKS FOR MPT FOR SHARING THE SONG AND ACCOMPANY ING VIDEO OF SOME OF OUR FANTASTIC TEACHERS.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY -- THANKS TO THE TEACHERS.

[ MUSIC ] >> DARLA, THAT WAS SUCH A NICE TRIBUTE TO TEACHERS EVERYWHERE.

SO NICE.

I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR MUSICAL TALENT ALL OF THESE YEARS.

LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO MEET MORE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR.

[ MUSIC ] >> I PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY, MINDFUL NESS, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE INCREASING THE STUDENT ATTENTION AND FOCUS, PRACTICE HIGHER LEVEL CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AND PROMOTE MEANINGFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN EVERY CLASSROOM.

[ MUSIC ] >> THE OPPORTUNITY THAT I GET TO SPEND MULTIPLE YEARS WITH THEM ALLOWS ME TO FOCUS A LOT ON THEIR SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND HEALTH AND CREATING A CLASSROOM FAMILY AND THEY ARE ABLE TO TRY NEW THINGS, AND KNOW THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE SUPPORTED THROUGH THOSE CHALLENGES THAT ART PRESENTS.

>> TEACHING HAS ALWAYS FELT LIKE A LIFESTYLE RATHER THAN A PROFESSION.

MY PASSION FOR TEACHING PRESENTS ITSELF AS BEING A LIFELONG LEARNING.

ITRIVE TO PROVIDE THE LEADERS OF THE FUTURE THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON MY CHILDREN'S LIVES.

[ MUSIC ] >> AS A SCIENCE TEACHER, I TEACH MY STUDENTS HOW TO USE SCIENTIFIC METHOD INTO MY CLASSROOM, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW TO USE THIS PROCESS INTO THEIR OWN LIVES.

ANALYZE AND OBSERVE THEIR STORIES, IDENTIFY THE POSITIVE, AND HARNESS IT, QUESTION THE NEGATIVE AND SEEK SOLUTIONS.

[ MUSIC ] >> DENISE, WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT AN INCREDIBLE PANEL OF JUDGES WHO REPRESENT MANY EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS MARYLAND?

YOU KNOW, JUDGES SPEND HOURS AND HOURS READING LENGTHY APPLICATION PACKETS AND INTERVIEWING EACH OF THE FINALISTS ON BEHALF OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, I CANNOT SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH.

YOU ARE SO APPRECIATED.

AND NOW ON TO MEETING FOUR OF OUR EIGHT FINALISTS.

[ MUSIC ] >> WHEN I TEACH BOTANY, I EMPHASIZE, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING THAT HELPS MY STUDENTS AND I THRIVE BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, SO THAT WE CAN -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] AND CHALLENGE TOGETHER.

[ MUSIC ] >> MY ROLE AS A TEACHER IS NOT A SAVIOR OR A MARTYR.

INSTEAD, MY ROLE IS TO ADVOCATE STUDENTS AND SUPPORT THEM ON THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY AS THEY QUESTION AND LEARN AS THEY DISCOVER, THEY USE THEIR VOICES.

[ MUSIC ] >> THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING SCHOOL YEAR FROM A GLOBAL HEALTH TO FIND OUR EMERGING UNDERSTANDINGS OF RACIAL INJUSTICE, THERE WAS A LOT GOING ON -- IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR MY STUDENTS TO HAVE AUTHENTIC AND MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE THAT ALLOWED THEM TO PROCESS AND ANALYZE WHAT THEY WERE EXPERIENCING AND FEELING.

[ MUSIC ] >> I USE EVERY STUDENTS' CULTURAL FOOTPRINT IN THE CLASSROOM BY ENSURING THERE IS EQUITY AND INFORMATIVE EDUCATION AL PRACTICES THAT PREPARES STUDENTS TO BE GLOBAL CITIZENS IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

>> WOW, THE JUDGES CERTAINLY HAD THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM.

WHAT A FANTASTIC GROUP OF AWARD WINNING TEACHERS.

WE HAVE FOUR MORE TO GO, SO LET'S MEET THEM NOW.

[ MUSIC ] >> GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENTS BY ASKING QUESTIONS, SHOW A GENUINE INTEREST AND CARE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON.

STUDENTS WHO FEEL CONNECTED AND SUPPORTED, WILL TAKE RISKS AND MAKE MISTAKES AND DUST THEMSELVES OFF AND KEEP LEARNING BECAUSE THEY KNOW WE ARE THERE FOR THEM.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, ASK TONS OF QUESTIONS AND HAVE FUN.

SHOW THE STUDENTS THAT YOU CARE.

[ MUSIC ] >> THIS YEAR REALLY HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT CHOICE IN THE CLASSROOM.

STUDENT CHOICE IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN IN A NORMAL SETTING.

THROW A PANDEMIC IN THERE AND VIRTUAL AND HYBRID SETTINGS, IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT.

HOWEVER, MY STUDENTS CAME THROUGH AND THEY SHOWED ME CREATIVITY AND PROJECTS THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND THAT WAS REALLY EXCITING.

[ MUSIC ] >> THERE IS A SILVER LINING TO PANDEMIC TEACHING AND THAT'S BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO COLLABORATE WITH OUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THIS PAST YEAR I COPLANNED AND COREFLECTED ON THREE SECTIONS OF SPANISH EVERY SINGLE TAY WITH A COLLEAGUE OF MINE AT A DIFFERENT SCHOOL.

THIS LED TO AN EXPONENTIAL INCREASE TO STUDENTS WHO EARNED THE MARYLAND SEAL OF BILITERACY.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, I HAD TO BRING THE ENERGY EVERY DAY TO MY STUDENTS AND NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN, THEY GAVE IT RIGHT BACK TO ME.

RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY.

ONCE YOU DELIVER A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR STUDENTS, YOU CAN DELIVER ANY CONTENT THAT YOU WANT.

THAT SAME RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU BUILD WILL DEVELOP A LOVE FOR LOVING AND THE CLASSROOM OPPORTUNITY.

>> WE HAVE MET ALL 24 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR.

BUT DARLA, I IMAGINE WE HAVE SOME GIFTS FOR THE TEACHERS.

TELL US ABOUT THE GIFTS.

>> ALL 24 TEACHERS WILL RECEIVE PLAQUES AND STATE HONORS FROM THE GOVERNOR AS WELL AS GIFTS AND PRICES FROM OUR SPONSORS.

THE TEACHERS RECEIVE A DAY ON THE BAY SPONSORED BY THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION AND NORTHRUP GRUMMAN.

THE 2022 MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR WILL BE SPEAKING AT VARIOUS VENUES THROUGHOUT MARYLAND AND HOPEFULLY, ATTEND NATIONAL EVENT S INCLUDING THE WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY.

HE OR SHE WILL RECEIVE FROM SMART TECHNOLOGIES, A SCHOOL-WIDE LICENSE FROM ITS LEARNING SUITE AND A SWAG GIFT BASKET.

THESE GIFTS ARE VALUED AT OVER $ 3,000.

THAT TEACHER WILL ALSO BE NOTICED THROUGHOUT MARYLAND WITH A SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE PRODUCED ONLY FOR THE MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

EACH OF THE 24 DISTRICT TEACHERS OF THE YEAR WILL RECEIVE A MONETARY AWARD OF $1,000 FROM THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> THANK YOU.

LAST YEAR THERE WAS MUCH EXCITEMENT WHEN WYATT OROKE WAS ANNOUNCED AS MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

HE CONTINUED TEACHING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, BUT ALSO STEPPED UP ENCOURAGING TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AT NUMEROUS VERMEVENTS.

LET'S HEAR FROM THE OUTGOING TEACHER OF THE YEAR, WYATT OROKE FROM BALTIMORE CITY.

>> THIS IS WYATT OROKE.

IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE HONOR TO SERVE THE PAST YEAR REPRESENTING THE STATE OF MARYLAND, THE AMAZING EDUCATORS AND SCHOLARS.

I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT TEACHER OF THE YEAR ACCOMPLISHES FOR OUR STATE.

THROUGH THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME, WE HAVE STILL BEEN ABLE TO MAKE AMAZING GAINS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

BOTH LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR AS WE WELCOME SCHOLARS BACK INTO OUR CLASSROOMS AND OUR SACRED SPACES.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO MAKE MARYLAND HOME TO SOME OF THE GREATEST TEACHERS IN THE ENTIRE YEAR.

CONGRATULATIONS ON OUR NEXT MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

>> THANK YOU.

THE BIG MOMENT IS COMING.

HERE ARE THE FINALISTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

JING DAI, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.

SIDNEY THOMAS, BALTIMORE CITY.

BRIANNA ROSS, BALTIMORE COUNTY.

ADRIN LEAK, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.

STEPHANIE MACKENZIE, QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY.

LAUREN GREER, TALBOT COUNTY.

CAROLINE SCHLEGEL, WASHINGTON COUNTY.

DUSTIN THOMAS, WICOMICO COUNTY.

.

>> YOU HAVE THE ENVELOPE OF WHO WILL BE THE 2022 MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR -- >> OKAY.

HERE IT GOES.

AND THE WINNER IS BRIANNA ROSS, BALTIMORE COUNTY.

YEA.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND THE SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THIS IN CREDIBLE HONOR AND RECOGNITION .

I AM SO EXCITED TO REPRESENT EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING PARTICULARLY ON BEHALF OF THE PHENOMENAL EDUCATORS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.

THANK YOU TO THE LORD ABOVE WHO DIRECTS MY STEPS AND TO MY PARENTS WHO ARE PERFECT.

MY INCREDIBLE MENTORS, THANK YOU FOR TAKING A CHANCE ON ME AND SEEING A VISION IN ME THAT I HAD NOT SEEN AND THE OTHER EDUCATORS I HAVE GROWN WITH, I WOULD NOT BE WHO I AM WITHOUT WATCHING YOU DO YOUR INCREDIBLE WORK.

TO ALL OF MY FAMILY AT DEER PARK , I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

IN PARTICULAR, A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY STUDENTS.

YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE BEYOND CONDITION AND TEACH WITH PURPOSE AND LEAD FEAR LESSLY.

I WOULDN'T BE THE WOMAN THAT I AM ASK THE EDUCATOR THAT I AM WITHOUT ALL OF YOU.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 MARYLAND TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

SO MANY ARE APPLAUDING YOU NOW.

THESE HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL MOMENTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

DESPITE ALL THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR , WE WISH THE VERY BEST WISHES TO ALL OF OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR, OUR MANY FRIENDS AND EDUCATION COLLEAGUES, ALL THE TEACHERS WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OUR STUDENTS AND TO ALL THE VIEWERS THIS EVENING.

PLEASE STAY HEALTHY.

>> YEA.

AND A BIG THANK YOU TO THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR HOSTING US, TO THE SPONSORS AND ALL THE DEDICATED AND TALENTED TEACHERS IN MARYLAND.

REMEMBER, AS THE SAYING GOES -- TEACHING IS THE ONE PROFESSION THAT MAKES ALL OTHER PROFESSIONS POSSIBLE.

CONGRATULATIONS.