Hereford Middle Teacher Wins Leadership Award

The Technology & Engineering Educators Association of Maryland (TEEAM) is honoring a Hereford Middle School teacher at an award ceremony at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. 

Christopher Putnam, a 49-year-old technology education teacher, was nominated through TEEAM's online process and then chosen as the Leadership Award of Excellence winner by a panel of fellow educators.

"I've been exposed to a lot of great leaders in my field," Putnam said. "I learned a lot from them. I just feel like I'm doing my part.

Putnam, a York, PA resident who has been teaching for 25 years, is being recognized for stepping up to more TEEAM management duties after an executive director passed away last February, according to Amy Gensemer, president of the group. She also noted his communications work managing the organizations website, social media and its overall online presence.

"[Putnam's] really an advocate for the profession," Gensemer said. "He really goes above and beyond."

He has also created a Wiki site to share curriculum ideas with other educators.

"Students are the beneficiaries," Putnam said. "The internet is a great way to keep in touch with everybody."

At Hereford Middle, Putnam serves as the advisor to the school's award-winning robotics club, which has won awards at numerous competitions including the Baltimore County Public School Open VEX tournament and the 2011 Mid-Atlantic VEX championships.

Putnam has been on the board of TEEAM since 2002, and previously served as president. He is currently the organization's website coordinator.

In addition to being recognized at the Feb. 23 ceremony, he will receive a governor's citation and a private tour of the Applied Physics Laboratory.

"I'm very happy to get the award," Putnam said. "I just feel very fortunate."