HCPSSHoward County’s Maddy Halbach Selected as Maryland 2017-18 Teacher of the Year Finalist
September 7th, 2017
Howard County Public School System Academy of Finance teacher Dr. Maddy Halbach this morning was named one of seven finalists for the Maryland State Department of Education 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year. The state winner will be announced at an awards gala on October 27. Interim Superintendent Michael J. Martirano announced the honor during a surprise visit to Halbach’s classroom.
“I am proud to have Maddy Halbach represent Howard County and excited that she has been named a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year,” said Martirano. “Maddy’s work at the Applications and Research Laboratory is critical to helping us ensure that our graduates are college and career ready.”
Halbach, who this spring was named the Howard County Public School System Teacher of the Year, has been a teacher for the school system for 14 years, and has taught at the Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL) since 2007.
“I’m humbled and honored to be selected as a finalist from among so many wonderful teachers in Maryland that work so hard to support their students and communities,” said Halbach. “I’m thrilled to be able to share my passion for helping all students of diverse backgrounds develop the financial skills to prepare them for college, careers and life.”
Noted for a dynamic and student-centric approach, Halbach was described by a former student as “one of the finest teachers I have had the pleasure of working under.” A National Board Certified Teacher, she was recognized as the 2016 Maryland Financial Literacy Teacher of the Year and has trained teachers nationwide on financial literacy. Halbach’s students are two-time national and four-time state winners of the Personal Finance Challenge.