Havre de Grace High’s Kim Schmidt Named Maryland Teacher Of The Year Finalist

Veteran Harford teacher one of seven to compete for state title

Kimberly A. Schmidt, social studies teacher at Havre de Grace High School, was selected as one of seven finalists in the state who will compete for the 2010 Maryland Teacher of the Year title by State Superintendent of Schools, Nancy S. Grasmick.

The finalists were selected by a panel of judges from various Maryland educational organizations representing principals, teachers, boards of education, teacher unions, students, parents and higher education. Finalists were measured against a rigorous set of national criteria that includes teaching philosophy, community involvement, knowledge of general education issues and suggestions for professional and instructional improvement. Each of the seven finalists, including Mrs. Schmidt, will participate in oral interviews with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) on Saturday, September 12th.

Mrs. Schmidt is a committed educator, having been in the field for more than 18 years, graduating from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in History Education in 1991. She began her teaching career as a middle school social studies teacher at Old Court Middle School in West Baltimore. In 1993, she started teaching at Havre de Grace Middle School and in 1997, Kimberly accepted the position of department chairperson at Fallston Middle School where she taught eighth grade U.S. History.

“Kim Schmidt is dedicated to enriching the lives of every student that walks through her classroom doors and is passionate about providing a positive learning experience,” said HCPS Superintendent Robert M. Tomback. “We are so proud of her accomplishment as she represents the talent and commitment of all of our teachers in Harford County.”

From 1998-2005, she served in a variety of central office leadership positions for Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) before moving back to the classroom in her current role at Havre de Grace High School teaching government and U.S. History where she has been since 2005.

Additionally, Mrs. Schmidt has worked on countywide curriculum development and assessment projects, served on the citizen advisory committee and the Mentor Teacher Network through MSDE. She has served on the HCPS Central Instructional Leadership Team (CILT) and the Middle School Reform Committee. She also earned her Master’s degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, which she completed in 1995 in Historical Studies and has started work on her doctoral degree in Innovation and Leadership at Wilmington College.

The 2009-10 Maryland Teacher of the Year will be announced during the state gala reception and dinner at Martin’s West on October 2nd. The winner will receive cash awards, technology equipment, national travel opportunities and a new car valued at more than $25,000.

If selected as the state Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Schmidt will go on to compete for the National Teacher of the Year award, announced in April 2010. Visit www.hcps.org for more information on 2009-10 HCPS Teacher of the Year and State Finalist, Mrs. Kimberly A. Schmidt.