Last Wednesday marked a special night dedicated to celebrating county educators.

The annual Dorchester County Public Schools awards ceremony and reception, hosted at the East New Market Volunteer Firehouse, saw both the First-Class (first year) Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the year honors taken home by two of Sandy Hill's finest.

From a field of four finalists, 2nd grade teacher Wendi Bleyer was named First-Class Teacher of the Year.

Briana Beulah was chosen among 11 education professionals nominated as Teacher of the Year.

Upon graduating from high school, Bleyer's sights had been set on becoming a teacher. But, noting that "life had other plans," she followed another 20-year career path instead.

Eventually deciding to become a substitute teacher, Bleyer's desire to teach youngsters was rekindled. Returning to school and earning her degree, Bleyer joined Sandy Hill as a certified 2nd grade teacher.

Beulah had herself attended Sandy Hill until 3rd grade, when her own young life's plans included moving throughout different counties, and different schools, until high school.

Finally returning here to North Dorchester High School, she at last discovered just how much of a difference it makes having strong student-teacher relationships.

In her senior year, Beulah connected with her field hockey coaches, Terri Wright and Laura Barnes. "They saw something in me that I felt most people didn't. Not just in athletics, but they made me feel like I mattered," Beulah stated.

"I didn't have that growing up because I moved so much. But when I got to high school, before graduation, I realized how I never wanted another child to experience the lack of relationships while in school," she noted.

Currently completing on her master’s degree, Beulah is in her eighth year at Sandy Hill, where she teaches 5^th-graders and delights in being able to help establish and foster those strong relationships she'd so sorely missed out on.

Preceding the announcement of the winners, all nominees were awarded a measure of well-deserved spotlight. As each came forward to have an official photo taken, receive a plaque, a large DCPS gift bag, and be escorted to their seat of honor, sweet video clips of their students played, with each youngster expressing appreciation for their kindness and caring, for making learning fun, for "working so hard to do everything to help us," and for "sometimes giving extra recess."

School Board President Susan Morgan noted that though winners would emerge from the pool of dedicated nominees, because they are chosen by their peers they should be rightly regarded as "first among equals."

Recognizing the qualities each nominated teacher exemplifies, Morgan quoted Dr. Cornel West's statement that "the greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of inspiration."

Robin Mackert, Board of Education Assistant Human Resources Administrator, who presided over the festivities, recalled Maya Angelou's quote: "People may not remember exactly what you said, but they'll always remember how you made them feel." Mackert still remembered with gratitude her own Dorchester County teachers who made her feel important, loved, and supported. Teachers have an impact we cannot measure, she added.

Those selected had been nominated by colleagues, administrators, students, or their parents three months earlier. Mackert offered special thanks to the team charged with the painstaking process of evaluating each, and selecting final winners.

The selection panel included Bill Christopher, Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, retired teacher and administrator Alice Mitchell (1999-2000 Teacher of the Year), Deborah Wooden, retired teacher and counselor and currently with the Chesapeake College Trio Program Student Suport Staff, DCTC engineering teacher Phil Albert (2022-23 Teacher of the Year), and Mace's Lane Social Studies teacher Megan Walters (2022-23 First-Class Teacher of the Year).

In her farewell remarks, Walters expressed gratitude for ongoing strong support from staff and colleagues. She also felt proud that despite the county's large geographic expanse as well as the diversity of racial and cultural backgrounds, "we are one."

Albert recalled the impact he felt attending last year's three-day Smith Island retreat with other Teacher of the Year winners from across Maryland. 

Initially unsure he belonged as part of such a celebrated group, Albert soon realized that he and the others shared the same passion for teaching.

"They love their craft, they love their students intensely, going above and beyond."

Albert also wanted to celebrate the families, friends, and significant others of teachers, who provide so much support, helping make it possible to do "the hard, important work we do."

Cambridge Mayor Steve Rideout was one of several government officials presenting citations to the Teacher of the Year award winners.

Rideout recalled his own experience working with youngsters as a juvenile court judge. "I was grateful every day to have an opportunity to help make a difference in a young person's life. But my days were structured, compared to teachers, who have to think on their feet, while still making a difference in their students’ lives."

Special thanks were also given to Chef Charlene Zinnel and Cherie Robinson of DCTC, both former Teacher of the Year award recipients, and student chefs including Hayden Schwickrath and Madison Horsman, for preparing the evenings' expansive refreshment offerings.

Mackert introduced and thanked members of the School Board and DCPS Executive Team for their ongoing contributions of service, and Board of Ed staff who worked tirelessly on behalf of the awards reception, notably, Valerie Goff, DCPS Communications & Community Outreach Specialist.