Teacher Of The Year Celebrated In Anne Arundel County

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Anne Arundel County Public Schools on Thursday named Jing Dai the 2020 to 2021 Teacher of the Year. Dai is a Chinese language instructor at Meade High School.

Art educator Olin Yoder was the last Meade instructor to win the award. Yoder earned the honor in the 1990 to 1991 school year.

"We are a tight Meade Mustang Nation," Dai said in a press release. "We are there, excited and positive every day, to support our students. We face the challenge together and we make Meade High the best, best, best school for all of our students."

(Story continues below tweet)

Dai has spent her entire nine-year AACPS career at Meade. She holds an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Instructional Certificate and an AVID Pathway Certification. Dai is also on the Board of Directors for the Chinese Language Teachers Association.

"Dai demonstrates an unparalleled dedication to the students in the Chinese program not just at Meade, but at other schools as well," Meade IB coordinator Jennifer Quinn wrote in her nomination letter.

That commitment earned Dai praise from Meade Principal Frederick Rivers.

"Walking into her classroom is like walking into an educational adventure where no two days are ever the same," Rivers said in his nomination. "She creates space that allows all students to thrive and feel supported learning entirely in Chinese. From Chinese 1 to AP/IB DP Chinese, she makes learning fun and students want to be there."

(Story continues below tweet)

AACPS created the Teacher of the Year award in the 1986 to 1987 school year. Two of the last four winners went on to earn the Maryland Teacher of the Year honor.

Teresa Beilstein of South Shore Elementary School achieved the feat last year. Josh Carroll of South River High School accomplished that milestone in 2018.

"This award really belongs to all the teachers in AACPS," Dai added. "And it belongs to all the teachers at Meade High School."

Dai was one of 46 public and private school educators recognized at the 35th annual Excellence in Education Awards, which is viewable at this link. These instructors were the other finalists for Teacher of the Year.

• Kellie Goforth, an AVID teacher at North County High School
• Sarah Rippeon, a language arts teacher at Crofton Middle School
• Jessica Scanlon, a first-grade teacher at Glendale Elementary School
• Timothy Stedman, a physical education teacher at Crofton High School

The 2020 to 2021 Independent Schools Teacher of the Year award went to Myles Healy of St. Mary's High School. On top of chairing the English Department, Healy teaches British Literature, AP English Literature and Cinematic Art.

Jacquelyn Touhey, a third-grade educator at Rockbridge Academy, was the other finalist for the recognition.

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. Download our mobile application from the App Store or Google Play.

RELATED:

• AACPS Names Semifinalists For Teacher Of The Year Award
• How AACPS Chooses Teacher Of Year, Applications Now Open

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.