Washington County Technical High School's McDonald named Teacher of the Year
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Elizabeth McDonald, a biomedical science teacher at Washington County Technical High School, with her trophy in hand, stepped into her new Honda Passport on Wednesday night with a look of excitement and amazement.
McDonald had just been named Washington County Public Schools' 2022-23 Teacher of the Year.
"I'm overwhelmed," she said. "I'm incredibly humbled. I want to work to inspire, grow and celebrate all that is great in Washington County Public Schools."
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McDonald, who was also awarded a $5,000 check and a gift basket from Chick-fil-A, was joined by her husband, school officials and members of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at Fountain Head Country Club in Hagerstown.
She was also joined by the four other finalists vying for the honor.
Elizabeth Baumgardner, gifted and talented education teacher at Eastern Elementary School
Caitlin Keller, connections teacher at Boonsboro Middle School
Erica Kozlowski, second-grade magnet teacher at Fountaindale Elementary School
Ann Palmer, third-grade teacher at Jonathan Hager Elementary School
All Teacher of the Year finalists were given checks for $1,000, flowers and a bucket of goodies from Chick-fil-A.
McDonald succeeds 2021-22 Teacher of the Year Caroline Schlegel, a Spanish teacher at Smithsburg High School.
Schlegel was also selected a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year for the 2021-22 school year.
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Schlegel told the audience Wednesday night, that she was grateful to the community for its support of Washington County Public Schools.
Schlegel said she spent the last year working with teachers, government leaders and students from around the state. She thanked WCPS for believing in her.
Superintendent Boyd Michael, who made the announcement that McDonald was the winner, received a standing ovation from the crowd in reaction to his planned retirement July 1.
Michael has served Washington County Public Schools for 43 years, the most recent five years as its superintendent.
This is the last year Michael will be part of the WCPS Teacher of the Year program.
"It is a great honor and privilege of mine to recognize these great educators," he said.
Michael said WCPS employs 1,800 teachers.
McDonald has been a teacher for more than 20 years, and has worked at WCPS for 11 years. She has been a Teacher of the Year finalist before, in 2016 and 2020.
McDonald facilitates hands-on, interactive learning experiences in her classroom, and she pursues real-world medical scenarios that allow her students to observe and question, WCPS officials have said.
McDonald told the audience, after learning she had won, that she was humbled to be honored for her work as an educator.
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"Thank you so much for this honor," said McDonald, who also thanked the Chamber of Commerce for its sponsorship of the Teacher of the Year program.
"I'm incredibly lucky to have an incredible support network at Tech High," she said. "I love my job. I would shout it from the rooftops."
McDonald will go on to represent Washington County in the Maryland State Teacher of the Year awards program.
Sherry Greenfield is the Education Reporter, covering Washington County Public Schools and the Washington County Board of Education.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: McDonald of Washington County's Tech High wins Teacher of the Year
