The St. Maryโ€™s County Board of Education Thursday honored the systemโ€™s 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year, Bernadette Sheetz. She is a math teacher at Esperanza Middle School.

Sheetz received a certificate of recognition and will compete with her teacher peers selected by the other 23 school systems for the Maryland Teacher of the Year at a ceremony in October. Sheetz appeared with her principal, Ms. Snyder-Mills and her family and friends and posed for a picture with school board members and School Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano.

Sheetz said of the award, โ€œThis is quite an honor.โ€ ย She said she is married to a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and they have experienced other school systems, but she is happy to call St. Maryโ€™s her home. She praised the school system for the support it gives to teachers.

Sheetz said she is sorry to see the school year wind down: โ€œI donโ€™t feel I have enough time. I have more things I want to do with them (her students).โ€

According to information presented to the board for the ceremony: โ€œThe Maryland Teacher of the Year Program has a single objective โ€“ to draw public attention to the work being done by the stateโ€™s many fine teachers. The Maryland Teacher of the Year Program is an awards program sponsored and coordinated by the Maryland State Department of Education.โ€

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