Centennial Educator Named Teacher of the Year

A teacher in Howard County has been named the 2016 Teacher of the Year by The Washington Post.

Shalonda Holt, who teaches biology at Centennial High School, received the recognition, which is designed to honor educators who stand out in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., areas.

Each school system in the region selected one nominee, and The Washington Post's panel of experts, educators and parents selected someone who delivers "first-class and creative instruction."

Holt is considered a "model educator" by her colleagues and an "ideal mentor" by her students, The Washington Post reports. She is known for challenging students, being easy to talk to and being a leader, such as by starting a club called NEST (Now Everyone Stand Together) in an effort to encourage the community to embrace diversity.

She also uses an innovative method of teaching called the "flipped classroom," in which students watch videos at home and then come to class ready to discuss and apply what they have learned, according to The Baltimore Sun, which reports she also gives assignments like writing poetry about cells and has delivered lectures by rapping.

The Post's award is designed to encourage excellence in education in the region.

As the 2016 Teacher of the Year, Holt will receive $7,500; a trophy; and Washington Post profile and ad.

According to Howard County Public School officials, the feature story on Holt will run in Sunday's edition of The Washington Post.