BALTIMORE – Dr. Karen Salmon, state superintendent of Schools, Aug. 31 announced the names of seven finalists for 2018-2019 Maryland Teacher of the Year. “Maryland’s teachers play a vital role in the lives of our students—educating, encouraging, and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Being chosen as a Teacher of the Year finalist is a tremendous honor and a testament to the quality of teachers we have here in Maryland. I offer my sincere congratulations to all nominees.” Dr. Salmon agreed that being a finalist is an exciting honor for each one of the teachers. “These seven outstanding educators and role models exemplify the excellence displayed by teachers throughout Maryland,” said Dr. Salmon. “Our State’s educators surpass expectations by building personal connections with our students to help ensure success both in and out of the classroom. We applaud our finalists for going above and beyond their duties.” Among those seven finalists is a Dorchester native and Cambridge resident Renee Gilliard Warfield who teaches grades 9-12 in ESOL/Spanish at Easton High School in Talbot County. “Renee Warfield is a relentless student advocate who launched the sheltered and dual language curricula at Easton High School. She was a Fulbright-Hays recipient, MSET presenter and is currently a Discovery Education Leader and Dorchester Library Board Trustee. Her mission is to promote community collaboration and mutual advocacy among language students, to incite their continual inquiry and civic engagement. “Renee founded a student language service club and facilitated a bilingual graduation preparation program. She has a B.A. in Spanish, M.A. in TESOL, and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Salisbury University. She leads county-wide PD for ESOL and writes bilingual curricula for Algebra, Spanish, Biology, Government and English. She is the wife of Jason Warfield of Cambridge.” The finalists were selected by a panel of judges from a number of key Maryland education organizations representing principals, teachers, school boards, teacher unions, parents and higher education. All finalists were chosen based on a rigorous set of state and national criteria that include teaching philosophy and results, community involvement, knowledge of general education issues, and suggestions for professional and instructional improvement. The finalists were selected from a group of 24 local teachers of the year, representing the 24 Maryland school systems. The 2018-2019 Maryland Teacher of the Year will be announced during a gala reception and dinner at Martin’s West in Baltimore on Oct. 12, 2018. The winner will receive cash awards, technology equipment, national travel opportunities, and a new car valued at more than $25,000, donated by the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association. Presenting sponsors of the Maryland Teacher of the Year Program are Comcast, the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association, McDonald’s Family of Maryland and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems. Platinum sponsors are BGE, Lockheed Martin, Maryland Public Television, NTA Life and Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. The selected Maryland Teacher of the Year will go on to compete for the esteemed National Teacher of the Year Award, to be announced next April. Maryland’s Teacher of the Year will also spend the coming year as an educational speaker and advisor in Maryland and will be honored by the President at the White House next spring. The Maryland Teacher of the Year will also participate in several national meetings and conferences.