C. Milton Wright Mathematician Awarded Teacher of the Year

The Harford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year for 2015 to 2016 has been announced, and it’s a C. Milton Wright math teacher whose students say they now enjoy a subject that was “normally boring.”

Laura Potter, who has been an educator for 11 years and a Harford County teacher for two, received the distinction Wednesday night in a ceremony at the Bayou Restaurant in Havre de Grace.

“It’s an amazing honor...” Potter told The Aegis at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet, where she said she was in disbelief when her name was called for the award.

She arrived at school Thursday morning and was greeted by students bearing long-stemmed roses, staff and administrators extending bouquets and the C. Milton Wright Band, which serenaded her with songs like All I Do is Win, the Rocky theme song and Go Big Blue, according to Jillian Lader, spokeswoman for Harford County Public Schools.

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Six students nominated Potter, sharing in essays that her enthusiasm and dedication merited the honor.

“She does the impossible; she makes Calculus appealing, let alone bearable. I looked forward to her class every day,” former student Ryan Pellegrino wrote. “Mrs. Potter is able to make the classroom an arena of intelligent conversation, transforming normally boring lectures into interesting topics that spark questions and debate.”

Potter, who has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a master’s in education from Towson University, said she gives a great deal of attention to planning her lessons and tailoring her approach for the students.

In 2013, her students had a 100 percent passing rate on the algebra/data analysis high school assessment; and in 2014, approximately 95 percent of her students passed the Advanced Placement Calculus AB exam, the school system reported.

Here is more about Potter, from a statement provided by the school system:

She serves as Acting Mathematics Department Chairperson and is a member of the School Improvement Team. In addition, she facilitates professional development at the county level to strengthen mathematics instruction. In 2014, Mrs. Potter was nominated for the William J. Sacco Mathematics Teacher Award. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Potter serves as the Religious Education Chairperson at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harford County.

In honor of being named Harford County’s Teacher of the Year, Potter received several celebratory gifts, including a one-year lease on a 2015 Chrysler 200 Limited from Jones Junction; a watch from Saxon jewelers; a laptop from Dell; a custom ring from Jostens; many gift certificates and gift cards; and $1,200 from Harford Credit Union, according to a statement from the school system.

Next, Potter will continue on to compete for the Maryland Teacher of the Year title, which will be awarded in October.

Harford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Laura Potter with C. Milton Wright Principal Mike Thatcher. Photo Credit: Harford County Public Schools

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