Columbia Educator Named Maryland's Teacher of the Year

Hammond High School’s very own Jody Zepp was named Maryland Teacher of the Year Friday night by the Maryland Department State Department of Education.

“Jody is a dedicated and passionate teacher who brings energy and innovation to her classroom,” State Superintendent Lillian Lowery said during an honorary gala at Martin’s West. ”Her inspiring efforts reflect the best of our state’s education system.”

Zepp, who teaches psychology and government at Hammond High School in Columbia, was one of seven teachers from around the state in the running for the award. She was named Howard County Teacher of the Year in April, which made her eligible for Maryland Teacher of the Year, an honor for which she was declared a finalist in August.

“Zepp never writes you off—she has confidence in all of us,” one student told The Bear Press, Hammond High School’s student newspaper, after the teacher was declared Howard County’s Teacher of the Year in the spring.

At Hammond, Zepp teaches grades 10 through 12 and is the lead advisor for extracurricular programs including the C-SPAN StudentCam competition, Stock Market Game and Model UN, according to the Howard County Public School System. She also coaches Hammond’s EconChallenge team, which has captured three consecutive state championships.

She majored in political science with a minor in psychology at McDaniel College and holds a master’s in political science from Syracuse University. As part of her studies, she interned for the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Howard County Public School System credited Zepp with founding Hammond’s Government, Law, and Public Administration Academy and co-founding its Advanced Placement Bootcamp.

Education is in her genes; her father was a college professor and her mother was an elementary school teacher, according to Zepp, who tells students: “The classroom is a safe, natural environment for me to be in; I will ensure it is for you as well.”

According to the Maryland State Department of Education, Zepp has helped increase minority enrollment in advanced placement courses and improve passing ratios for minority students on exams at the college and state levels.

As the Maryland Teacher of the Year, Zepp will receive cash, opportunities to travel the U.S., electronics and a new car valued at more than $25,000, donated by the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association. Hammond High School will receive $10,000 from the McDonald’s Family of Maryland.

Zepp will be honored by the President at the White House in the spring. She will be a contender for the Teacher of the Year award at the national level, will speak at functions around the state, will advise other educators in Maryland plus participate in national meetings and conferences.

Photo Credit: @HCPSS. Jody Zepp of Hammond High School is Maryland’s Teacher of the Year for 2014–2015.