Howard County Public School Teacher Named Washington Post 2016 Teacher of the Year

April 8th, 2016

Centennial High School Biology teacher Shalonda Holt has been named The Washington Post’s 2016 Teacher of the Year. Holt will be featured in an article in the Washington Post Sunday Magazine on Sunday, April 10. She will also receive a trophy and $7,500 as part of her recognition.

Holt was chosen out of 19 finalists from school systems in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The finalists and the winner were chosen by a panel of experts, educators and parents.

She was recently named the Howard County Public School System 2016 Teacher of the Year. As such, Holt will be the Howard County nominee for Maryland State Teacher of the Year for 2016-2017.

“Shalonda has such a powerful impact on her students and fellow teachers,” said HCPSS Superintendent Renee A. Foose. “She is a dedicated educator who truly cares about her students and strives to improve the education experience. I am extremely proud of her and this accomplishment.”

Holt has taught biology at Centennial High School for nine years. She is described as “a hard working, tender hearted and determined teacher” by one of her students.

Centennial High School Assistant Principal Tracy Scaltz called Holt, “one of the most talented teachers and compassionate individuals I have ever met.”

The Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award (formerly known as the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Awards) recognizes excellence in teaching, encourages creative and quality instruction, and contributes in a substantive way to the improvement of education in the Washington metropolitan area.

Washington Post Teacher of the Year nominees must be teachers who instill in students a desire to learn and achieve; understand the individual needs of students, encourage their talents and foster their self-esteem; demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students; foster cooperative relationships with their colleagues and the community; and demonstrate outstanding leadership.

Learn more about Shalonda Holt by watching a “Staff Focus” video created by the Howard County Public School System.