Four TU alums are among Maryland’s best teachers and educators
While they come from very different backgrounds, all three have become respected educators in the state!
Four Towson University alumni showed why TU continues to be recognized as one of the best teacher preparation universities in the country, earning 2015-16 "teacher of the year" and "principal of the year" awards from Maryland school districts.
Three alumni were nominated as teacher of the year in their respective counties. While the three come from different backgrounds, all three have become respected educators in the state of Maryland.
Washington County Teacher of the Year Has Heart, Passion for the Job
Kyle Dingle ‘05 went the traditional route by graduating from TU with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Dingle was named Washington County’s "teacher of the year." The fifth-grade teacher at Maugansville Elementary just completed his 11th year teaching in the school system.
In nominating him for the honor, Maugansville principal Donna Newcomer said Dingle was an easy choice because of his passion and heart for the job and his students.
"He is just truly a kid magnet," Newcomer said. "He just has a way about him and a spirit about him that speaks, 'I want to be around kids.'"
Porter is Caroline County Teacher of the Year
Master’s alumna Marcia Porter ’08, who works as a media specialist at Lockerman Middle School, won the top prize in Caroline County.
The Beltsville, Maryland native earned her master’s degree in education technology with a concentration in school library media. She is also a National Board Certified teacher.
When looking over the other nominees, County Superintendent John Ewald said Porter's nomination package stood out because of her ability to challenge students’ minds and stimulate their creativity.
“What more could we want from today’s teachers?” Ewald added.
Tech Center Instructor Named Carroll's Teacher of the Year
Brendan Gallagher ‘03 took a different path than his fellow educators. Gallagher graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Before teaching, he worked as a supervisor for two microbiology labs and a small pharmaceutical company.
But for the past eight years, Gallagher has been sharing his knowledge with the students in the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science program at the Carroll County Career and Technology Center.
With the biomedical science program becoming a national leader in STEM education, it was easy to see why Gallagher won Carroll County’s "teacher of the year" award.
"Gallagher is a leader who is recognized by his fellow teachers as a masterful teacher," Career and Tech Center Principal Bill Eckles and Supervisor Angela McCauslin said in a prepared statement from Carroll County Public Schools. "His students are routinely published in scientific journals for the research they conduct while in his program. He encourages his students to perform at a high level, but is also caring and supportive."
Dingle, Porter and Gallagher are now nominated for the "Maryland teacher of the year" award. Presented by the Maryland State Department of Education, the state award is presented to one of the 24 county teacher of the year award recipients.
Along with the three Towson University alumni receiving teaching honors, a TU alumna also received Elementary School "principal of the year" honors.
Melissa Fanshaw ’89, who serves as principal at Rodgers Forge Elementary, was named elementary school "principal of the year" by the Baltimore County Public School System.
After winning the award, Rodgers Forge students and faculty were encouraged to show their support coming to school dressed as Ms. Fanshaw or wearing something that reminded them of her.