By Richard Crumbacker

WESTOVER — For the second year in a row the Somerset County Teacher of the Year crown remains in Crisfield.

J. Logan Webster, a Social Studies, government and history teacher at Crisfield Academy and High School was selected from eight candidates to succeed Woodson Elementary School kindergarten teacher Lauren Beauchamp.

Mr. Webster will go on to be Somerset County’s nominee for Maryland Teacher of the Year — an honor won in 2018 by one of his former co-workers, Dr. Richard Warren Jr.

During the April 14 virtual program Mr. Webster said he was blessed to have spent his entire teaching career as part of the Crabber family. He was hired in 2014 after graduating from Goucher College, and praised the administration, staff and several teachers who have guided him through the years.

“Thank you for your continued support and encouragement, assistance, and listening ear. It’s amazing to me what our school accomplishes as a team, and I’m forever grateful to be a staff member at CHS,” he said, with additional praise for the assistance of Jill Holland, his Social Studies supervisor.

Mr. Webster is a Salisbury native and 2010 graduate of Parkside High School where he was a soccer standout, taking his skills to play at Goucher. Family focused, he credits his high school history teacher Ben Vickers and coaches Andy Hall and Brian Holloman who was also his unofficial guidance counselor as inspirations as well as his college coach Brian Laut.

“Individuals like these four have inspired me to look at a career in education as more than objectives and standards and focus on each student’s future goals and aspirations,” Mr. Webster said.

During his time in Crisfield he’s been department chair, has served as an assistant varsity and junior varsity soccer coach, and is a member of the Equity and Parent Advisory committees.

Last year Mr. Webster earned his master’s degree from Salisbury University and had an article published in a regional journal on how educators have overcome challenges caused by the pandemic. He said so much has changed but one thing is constant, “that a student who feels loved, cared for, seen and heard will be motivated to achieve greatness.”

Mr. Webster challenged educators to take time to write a personal note to a student or students “who need some good news.” He recommended telling that student “the greatness you see in them.” This “simple gesture” is one that “sticks with students forever” as they see that an adult believes in them and wants them to succeed.

“I began doing this several years ago, and several of my students recently told me that they still have that note and look at it often for motivation throughout their life,” he said. Mr. Webster repeated what Superintendent Dr. John Gaddis has often said that “No job is more powerful” or rewarding than being an educator.

Advice for Mr. Webster from his predecessor Lauren Beauchamp is for him to “enjoy and appreciate every minute of being Teacher of the Year, because it goes by very fast!” She notes that while she is not related to Logan, (Lauren’s maiden name is Webster) she does receive some of his email due to the similarities on their name, adding, she’s sure he will represent the county well.

Named Elementary Teacher of the Year and this year’s runner-up was Theresa O’Neal, a pre-kindergarten teacher at Deal Island School. She is active on the PBIS and SIT teams and in the community at her church, with the fire company and the Lions Club.

She was a former honoree at Princess Anne Elementary School in 2009 when she was a special education teacher.

She said being nominated alone “is a great honor” but now after 19 years in the system during this past year she’s seen the stress on teachers and staff “glued to the computer screen.” She said she stays with it for her students.
Dr. Gaddis said he was proud of his entire team, and Mr. Webster will get the support he needs to prepare his packet for the state Teacher of the Year competition this fall.

“[A]lthough we are ‘Small but Mighty’ in Somerset County, we believe that our teachers have an impact beyond our county, the Lower Shore, and across the state as many organizations and school districts look to us as leaders and innovators in education,” Dr. Gaddis said.

“You make a difference every day and our county and community and we are thankful to have you on our team. Congratulations to our teachers of the year!”

The other nominees representing their schools were Josh Davis of Woodson Elementary School; Randi Merritt, Somerset Intermediate School; Christopher Parke, Somerset County Technical High School; Kristen Davis, Princess Anne Elementary School; Jennifer Nicholas, Greenwood Elementary School; and Stephen Smith, Washington Academy and High School.

View the program at www.youtube.com/SomersetCountyPublicSchools/live.