Harford's Teacher Of The Year Makes Housecalls

BEL AIR, MD — A teacher at John Archer was named Harford County's Teacher of the Year for 2017.

Early intervention teacher Amy Mangold earned the title and was recognized for the extraordinary ways that she impacts her students, including taking her lessons out of the classroom — and into the home.

“I ask you, how many professionals – I mean committed professionals – actually visit the homes of their students to continue providing educational benefit?” John Archer Principal Randy Geyer said in a statement. “Ms. Mangold does!"

Added Geyer: "She does not brag or boast about this for extra attention or recognition, but merely does it because she truly believes in her mission. I found out only when a parent called me to extend a heartfelt thank you for Ms. Mangold’s care and guidance.”

In addition to making house calls as needed for students to collaborate with guardians and parents, she is a community support living arrangement worker for a young man with special needs, helping him with daily living skills at home and outside.

She says that the children she works with give her the passion and energy to do what she does.

"...I am in awe and inspired by how these children persevere. I look at the will they have in completing the tasks that so many of us take for granted and I am struck by that determination," Ms. Mangold said in a statement. "My hope is that I inspire my students as they inspire me every day.”

Ms. Mangold learned she had won the esteemed title of "Teacher of the Year" at a banquet Wednesday night at The Bayou Restaurant in Havre de Grace.

At the event, Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Canavan said Ms. Mangold has had a "profound effect on the lives of her students and their families."

The effect has extended to future teachers too.

"Ms. Mangold’s students become her family," intern Nicole Bauer, from Towson University, said. "As a mother myself, seeing that truly touches my heart because as a parent we want nothing more than for our child to be loved."

Working with Ms. Mangold has shifted her focus, she said.

"I have since changed my mind about what I want to teach...Special education is now where my heart is, and when I graduate in May, I will continue to strive to be like Ms. Mangold,” Bauer said.

Ms. Mangold has a master's degree in teaching from Notre Dame of Maryland and is certified in early childhood special education through Johns Hopkins University.

As the Harford County Teacher of the Year, Ms. Mangold received the following gifts of appreciation:

• Free lease of a brand-new 2017 Toyota RAV4 for one year courtesy of Jones Junction
• Dell laptop
• Saxon's Diamond Centers watch
• Big-screen TV from NTA Life
• Custom ring from Jostens
• Several gift certificates to dinner, banks and local merchants
• $1,200 from HAR-CO Credit Union (also given to other teacher of the year finalists)

Next, Ms. Mangold will compete for the title of Maryland Teacher of the Year; that person will be announced in October.

Photo courtesy of Harford County Public Schools.