5 Educators Named Teacher of the Year Finalists

Five area educators were named finalists for the 2013 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year award.

Educators from three high schools, one middle school, and one elementary school make up the field of five finalists announced on Monday, according to a release.

The public school finalists, selected from a field of 17 semifinalists, are: 

• Lori-Ann Balzano, Davidsonville Elementary School
• Jennifer Bender, Chesapeake High School
• Ruth Goldstraw, Old Mill High School
• Christiana Grue, Marley Middle School
• Jodie Stugard-Hogan, South River High School

In addition to the five public school teachers, two area private school educators were also named finalists for the 2013 Private School Teacher of the Year award. Those teachers include:

• Debora Coates Consugar, The Summit School
• Tim Decker, Eagle Cove School

The seven finalists will be among the 52 teachers honored at the 27th annual Excellence in Education banquet at the BWI Marriott in Linthicum on April 29.

The public school finalists will be interviewed by a panel made up of educators, administrators, students, and business leaders.

The Public School Teacher of the Year will represent Anne Arundel County at the state Teacher of the Year competition at a later date.