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2024β25 Teacher of the Year WINNER!
![2024β25 Teacher of the Year WINNER!](https://cdn.smore.com/u/f341/853a3c3ed3f29597ac0f5054e8135714.jpg)
π Brittany Collins Named 2024β2025 Teacher of the Year
Brittany Collins, a Multilingual Learners teacher at Springfield Middle School, is the 2024β2025 Washington County Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made Wednesday evening, April 17, at the annual Teacher of the Year awards ceremony, hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at Fountain Head Country Club.
As the winner, Collins receives $6,000 from Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) to support her classroom. Representatives from Hagerstown Honda and KIA also provided her with the keys to a new Kia Telluride, which she will drive during her term as Teacher of the Year. In addition, Collins receives a prize package that includes free Chick-fil-A for a year from Chick-fil-A of Hagerstown.
"Brittany exemplifies an educator who is fully committed to her students and her profession,β says Dr. David T. Sovine, superintendent of WCPS. βShe does an outstanding job providing instruction inside the classroom each day, but her dedication to serving students and their families extends far beyond classroom walls. She supports her students in their activities outside of school, helps families access helpful community resources, and supports her colleagues in their work with students. She is a difference maker and an outstanding representative of WCPS.β
Collins has been teaching for 13 years, including eight with WCPS. She began her career teaching at the elementary level before moving into her current role as a middle school Multilingual Learners teacher. Collins says, βMy message to teachers, students, parents, and the public is that we need to accept all students and support them in their educational journey, no matter what support they may need to succeed. We need to eliminate the myths and listen to the individual stories our students share about who they are and learn from these amazing experiences.β
Collins has a bachelorβs degree in early childhood and elementary education from Frostburg State University as well as a masterβs degree in curriculum and instruction from Hood University.
The five other finalists for Washington County Teacher of the Year were also presented with a check for $1,000 from WCPS to support their classrooms and a gift basket from Chick-fil-A. The finalists include:
AUTUMN ACKERMAN
Special Education Teacher at Marshall Street School and Job Development Program
CARLY SHOCKEY
2nd Grade Teacher at Emma K. Doub Elementary School
ASHLEY STOTELMYER
Gifted and Talented Educator at Sharpsburg Elementary School
ANGIE STOUFFER
Science Teacher at Smithsburg High School- STEPHANIE TWIGG
4th/5th Grade Magnet Teacher at Williamsport Elementary School
Pictured from left to right: Carly Shockey, Autumn Ackerman, Stephanie Twigg, Brittany Collins, Angie Stouffer, and Ashley Stotelmyer
Collins will now join a cohort of teachers of the year from 23 other school districts in the state who participate in professional learning experiences. They will all be considered for the title of Maryland Teacher of the Year, which is anticipated to be announced in the fall.
The Teacher of the Year program is a partnership between WCPS and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce Foundation.