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In 2023, several Salisbury University 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 Salisbury 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, Salisbury Middle)
• Dana Hetzler M ’13 (ESOL, English Language Support Center)
• Melissa Hileman, ’12 (fifth grade, Northwestern Elementary)
• Kelli Lewis ’01 (fourth grade magnet, North Salisbury 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)