2023 Teacher of the Year Nominees

In 2023, several �ǿմ�ý alumni were among Teacher of the Year nominees and winners throughout the state. Here are those alumni who were honored. We have tried to compile a complete list, but if we have missed someone, please let us know so we may update the list by emailing: publications@salisbury.edu.

County Teacher of the Year Honorees

Dorchester County: Briana Beulah ’15 (fifth grade, Sandy Hill Elementary)
Frederick County: Nicole Rhoades ’03 (science, Windsor Knolls Middle)
Somerset County: Tania Cunningham-Raycrow M’16 (special education, Somerset Intermediate)
Wicomico County: Tara Martens ’11 M’17 (math intervention, West �ǿմ�ý Elementary)
Worcester County: Jaimie Ridgely ’01 M’11 (Phoenix/technical education, Stephen Decatur Middle)

County Teacher of the Year Semifinalists

Anne Arundel County

Alexis Cutler M’21 (second grade, Tyler Heights Elementary)
Jennifer Richards ’03 (library media specialist, Jacobsville Elementary)

Calvert County

Michelle Fean ’98 (special education, Mutual Elementary)
Jessica Hayden ’02 (second grade, Patuxent Appeal Elementary School)

Caroline County

Todd Nichols M’13 (fourth grade, Denton Elementary)

Dorchester County

Genna Hatfield ’10 (math and science, North Dorchester Middle)
Kristin Guesfeird ’03, M’09 (first grade, Warwick Elementary)
Samuel Lupean ’22 (social studies, North Dorchester High)
Jennifer McGlaughlin ’01, M’06 (kindergarten, Hurlock Elementary)
Raven Mills ’22 (second grade, Maple Elementary)
Jennifer Powell ’03 (art, North Dorchester High)

Harford County

Katelynn Ruby-Leftridge ’10, M’19 (history, Havre de Grace Middle School)

Queen Anne’s County

Erin Connolly ’14 (social studies, Matapeake Middle School)

St. Mary’s County

Brittany Sobocinski ’12, M ’17 (third grade, Evergreen Elementary)

Somerset County

Erica Henderson ’13 (physical education and health, Washington Academy and High)
Jennifer Jones ’15 (art, Deal Island Elementary)
Jill Klaverweiden ’11, M’18 (pre-kindergarten 3, Princess Anne Elementary)
Danielle Moore ’16 (fourth grade, Greenwood Elementary)
Theresa Perdue ’01, M’08 (second grade, Woodson Elementary)

Talbot County

Lutisia “Tish” Blessing ’06, M’09 (pre-kindergarten, White Marsh Elementary)

Wicomico County

Don Abbatiello ’98, M’03 (social studies, Mardela High)
Heidi Hershey, M’21 (math, �ǿմ�ý Middle)
Dana Hetzler M ’13 (ESOL, English Language Support Center)
Melissa Hileman, ’12 (fifth grade, Northwestern Elementary)
Kelli Lewis ’01 (fourth grade magnet, North �ǿմ�ý Elementary)
Michele Lilly ’94 M’04 (math intervention, Wicomico Middle)
Deanna Marshall ’12 (English language arts, Bennett Middle)
Andromeda Massey ’15 (pre-kindergarten, Pinehurst Elementary)
Matt McMurdo ’14 (special education, Wicomico High)
Victoria Olinde ’17 M’22 (math, James M. Bennett High)
Danielle Pulliam ’14 M’20 (fifth-grade English language arts, Fruitland Primary)
Kelli Scholl ’05 (physical education, Willards Elementary)
Bethany Simon ’15 (kindergarten, Chipman Elementary)
Kara (Tolson) Watson ’14 M ’22 (second grade, Westside Intermediate School)
Debbie Wessels ’81 M’89 (first grade, Westside Primary)
Tuishula “Tish” Wise ’23 (third grade, Glen Avenue Elementary)

Worcester County

Chris Adkins ’18 (physical education, Snow Hill High)
Michelle Bradley ’16 (AP calculus/statistics and algebra, Pocomoke High School)
Dawn Davis ’10 M’16 (pre-kindergarten, Snow Hill Elementary)
Carli Dixon ’17 (kindergarten, Pocomoke Elementary)
Silviya Gallo ’16 M’22 (math/pre-engineering, Worcester Technical)
Michaela Hatlee ’16 (kindergarten, Buckingham Elementary)
Wendy Macrides ’96 (first grade, Ocean City Elementary)
Kristin Morris ’16 (special education, Cedar Chapel Special School)
Kristina Salvarola ’11 (fourth grade, Snow Hill Middle)
Elizabeth Singer M’18 (Showell Elementary)
Brittany Tracy ’10 (English language arts, Stephen Decatur High)