Teacher Toolkit

Educator Voice|Professional Practice|Teacher Toolkit

Actionline

Teacher's Toolkit: Matt Kline, Allegany County Science Teacher

Middle school science teacher Matt Kline is a conservationist, researcher, and environmental educator. Now an established middle school science teacher at Mt. Savage Middle and Elementary School in Allegany County, he was recently awarded the 2025 University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award. The award honors those who mentor […]
Professional Practice|Teacher Toolkit

Actionline

Teacher's Toolkit: Randy Laird, Somerset County Social Studies Teacher

Randy Laird is a social studies teacher at his alma mater Crisfield High School in Somerset County. He’s also advisor to the senior class and National Honor Society. He’s devoted to his community and wants his students to be, too. “If there’s one thing I want students to know when they leave my classroom and […]
Educator Voice|Professional Practice|Teacher Toolkit

Actionline

Teacher's Toolkit: Talbot County Spanish and ESOL Math Teacher Jeremy Hillyard

Jeremy Hillyard is a Spanish and ESOL math teacher at Easton High School in Talbot County and the county’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. “At the heart of my teaching philosophy,” says Jeremy,” is teaching the students that show up in front of you however they show up. This may be different to the students […]
Professional Practice|Teacher Toolkit

Actionline

Teacher's Toolkit: Melissa Carpenter, Charles County Fifth Grade Teacher

Melissa Carpenter is a fifth grade teacher at William B. Wade Elementary School in Waldorf and is the 2024 Maryland nominee for the NEA Foundation’s Travelers Insurance Award. Now established in her career, she was active in MSEA’s Early Career Educator program, which hosts an annual conference and supports chapters in local unions across the […]
Professional Practice|Teacher Toolkit

Actionline

Teacher's Toolkit: Media Specialist Ali Schilpp, Garrett County Media Specialist

Meet media specialist Ali Schilpp, the media specialist at Northern Garrett Middle School in Garrett County. She’s also a National Board Certified teacher librarian and the 2023-24 county teacher of the year. She’s a member of the Garrett County Education Association. MY MISSION The library is the largest classroom in the school and strives to […]
Educator Voice|Professional Practice|Teacher Toolkit

Actionline

Teacher's Toolkit: Tenisha Newman, Baltimore County English Teacher

Tenisha Newman is a first-generation college graduate and a 9th grade English teacher at Catonsville High School in Baltimore County. She’s a member of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County. REPRESENTATION MATTERS When I was a student in my high school, I realized that many of our texts did not hold representation of different minority […]
Educator Voice|Professional Practice|Teacher Toolkit

Actionline

Teacher's Toolkit: Mary Kay Connerton, Anne Arundel County Wellness Educator

Mary Kay Connerton is the wellness coordinator at Annapolis High School and the 2023-2024 Maryland Teacher of the Year. She’s a member of the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County. Her commitment to student wellness is a passion she is sharing throughout her county and in conversations with elected leaders and decision-makers. WELLNESS FOR EVERYONE […]
Educator Voice|Professional Practice|Teacher Toolkit

Actionline

Teacher's Toolkit: Monifa Tannis

Monifa Tannis is a vibrant 2nd grade teacher at Church Creek Elementary in Harford County. She signs off every email with a quote from the legendary educator Rita Pierson: “Teaching and learning should bring joy!” Click here to watch Pierson’s famous TED Talk, “Every Kid Needs a Champion.” FIND THE JOY IN THE JOURNEY Teaching […]
Educator Voice|Professional Practice|Teacher Toolkit

Actionline

Teachers' Toolkit: St. Mary's County's Nathan Swick and Arnold Skinner

Nathan Swick and Arnold Skinner are veteran educators (and friends!) delivering career-making instruction to students at Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center in St. Mary’s County. From the classroom to their maker-space labs, these educators help students find new and exciting ways to develop critical thinking, creative, and collaborative skills and test their […]
Join An Event
Member Awards & Grants