Students recently nominated nearly 200 teachers from schools across Carroll County to vie for the district's Teacher of the Year honors. From that group, the county Chamber of Commerce selected eight educators - four high school, two middle school and two elementary school teachers - to receive its Outstanding Teacher award.
The recipients advance to the countywide Teacher of the Year competition, which is judged by school officials. The Carroll Teacher of the Year - expected to be announced next month - will advance to the statewide level.
This year's Outstanding Teacher winners are:
Jennifer L. Cole
As an English teacher at Francis Scott Key High School in Union Bridge, Jennifer L. Cole said she strives to teach students how to be critical readers.
"I'm trying to prepare them to be active citizens in the world," said Cole, who has been teaching in Carroll County for 10 years. "I'm preparing them to be able to apply those skills" to their lives.
Cole serves on the school system's grammar instruction committee. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College and has a master's equivalent in education from McDaniel College.
Kenneth B. Fischer
When Kenneth B. Fischer isn't teaching science at Winters Mill High School in Westminster, he may be working as a paramedic for the Mount Airy Fire Co. or playing guitar and singing with his acoustic band, 3 Hour Drive.
Fischer - who coaches the school's cross country and outdoor track teams - has been teaching in Carroll since graduating from McDaniel College in 2000.
"I believe in the three R's - rigor, relevance and relationships," he said. Fischer said he challenges students with rigorous coursework. He said he tries to make lessons relevant by connecting them to hot topics or community problems, and he aims to nurture relationships with each student.
Gary A. Foote
When it comes to helping students make the connection to the real world, physics teacher Gary A. Foote said he has it easy.
"I have ninth-graders who are working on getting their drivers' licenses, or soon will be," said Foote, who has been teaching since graduating from Whittenberg University in Ohio in 1982. "The driver's manual is all physics. It's all practical matters."
He began his education career as a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching science and math in Kenya from 1982 to 1986. Foote then taught at a high school in the Bronx, N.Y., until joining South Carroll High School in 1991.
