HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Seven local school system finalists vying for the title of 2027 Maryland Teacher of the Year have been announced, which includes an educator from Howard County.
A second Teacher of the Year also has been recognized by Howard County Public School System leaders, along with the Principal of the Year.
The Maryland State Department of Education and Maryland State Board of Education disclosed the seven finalists out of 24 candidates on Thursday.
The Maryland Teacher of the Year will be announced during a gala reception and dinner at Martin's Valley Mansion in Cockeysville on Oct. 9. The Maryland Teacher of the Year will compete for the National Teacher of the Year award, to be announced in April, and spend the 2026-2027 school year as a speaker and advisor on statewide education issues.
Maryland's Teacher of the Year finalists are:
"Maryland's educators continue to raise the bar for excellence, and this year's finalists exemplify that commitment in every way," said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. "Their passion for teaching, their focus on equity and their unwavering belief in each student's potential inspire all of us. We are proud to recognize their exceptional work and celebrate the difference they make every day."
The finalists were chosen from among 24 school system Teachers of the Year across Maryland. The selection panel included leaders from key Maryland educational organizations representing principals, teachers, school boards, labor partners and families. Finalists were evaluated using "rigorous criteria that included student achievement, teaching philosophy, academic results, community involvement and knowledge of current educational issues," the school district said.
The finalist from the Howard County Public School System, Kacy Valentine, teaches English language arts at Lake Elkhorn Middle School. She also serves as the seventh grade ELA instructional team lead. As an HCPSS alum of Atholton Elementary School, Clarksville Middle School and Hammond High School, Valentine started her professional career in the district in 2004 as an ELA teacher.
According to the school district, "Among the many factors that distinguished Valentine as a Teacher of the Year were her exceptional content knowledge, leadership, collaborative spirit and ability to provide creative, engaging and differentiated instruction."
"[Ms. Valentine] consistently recognizes the unique strengths, needs and identities of her students, and she invests deeply in helping each of them see their own potential. Whether in the classroom, on the field or through schoolwide PRIDE initiatives, she fosters an environment where every student feels valued, capable and empowered to grow," wrote one nominator, adding, "Her belief in her students is steady and sincere, and they feel it."
Valentine also was recognized for what was described as her "outstanding character."
"Beyond her many roles, initiatives and accomplishments, what truly sets Kacy Valentine apart is who she is at her core. She is compassionate, hardworking, dependable and relentlessly student-centered. She models integrity, kindness and professionalism everyday. She is the teacher we hope to see in all teachers-the one who changes lives, builds community and inspires excellence simply by being who she is."
HCPSS also has named its Principal of the Year award winner as Dan Notari, who is at the helm of Cradlerock Elementary, and a second Teacher of the Year, Samantha Mathis, who teaches West Friendship Elementary School.
All three award winners were recognized during surprise visits at their respective schools and will be honored at an upcoming Howard County Board of Education meeting. The three also serve as the HCPSS nominees for Washington Post Principal of the Year, Washington Post Teacher of the Year (Mathis) and Maryland State Department of Education Teacher of the Year (Valentine).
Notari's HCPSS career spans more than two decades. During his tenure with the district, he has served at several different elementary schools in several different roles (teacher, leadership intern, assistant principal and principal). He assumed his current role as principal of Cradlerock Elementary School in 2024, having previously served as principal at St. John's Lane Elementary School.
Notari was selected as Principal of the Year for a variety of reasons, including his collaborative and supportive leadership, nominators wrote.
"He celebrates successes and provides guidance when challenges arise, creating a culture of growth and continuous improvement throughout the school. He invests time in coaching teachers and school leaders, helping them grow in confidence and skill," wrote one of his nominators.
"He acknowledges the challenges educators face while also motivating them to show up positively and do their best work for their students. He builds capacity in his school-based leaders by being supportive and motivational, so that they are able to carry on his leadership ideas throughout all parts of the school building," added another nominator.
Notari was recognized for his "commitment to building strong relationships with students, staff and families and for his consistent, positive presence within the school."
As one nominator noted, "[Mr. Notari] greets individuals by name, with a smile and makes genuine personal connections. He listens to students, staff and families, and sets the tone for each day with positive energy and a willingness to jump in wherever support is needed."
Mathis began her career in HCPSS in 2012 at West Friendship Elementary School. Since then, she has taught second, third and fourth grades, and served as an instructional team leader, mentor teacher and School Improvement Committee member. She has served on reading and math committees, and is an active member of the WFES Parent Teacher Association.
Mathis was selected as Teacher of the Year for several reasons, including her "exemplary pedagogy, curricular expertise, team spirit and outstanding ability to inspire students to learn," he nominators wrote.
"Ms. Mathis manages to achieve the perfect balance between fun and structure," said one of her nominators. "She creates real life scenarios that her students can easily relate to. She often tries to take them outside, to make lessons more hands-on, engaging and connected to the real world."
Mathis also was recognized for her "exceptional commitment to building meaningful relationships with her students."
As one nominator wrote, "Ms. Mathis takes the time to get to know all her students to ensure they feel important—within the classroom, and their own lives. She actively demonstrates her care for them every day."
Image courtesy of HCPSS
From left to right, Kacy Valentine, Dan Notori and Samantha Mathis.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Ellicott City Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.