The Washington Post has named UMBC alumna Shalonda Holt its 2016 Teacher of the Year. The recognition comes after Holt was named Howard County Teacher of the Year in February.

Holt ’07, biological sciences, teaching certificate in education, teaches biology at Centennial High School in Ellicott City, where she began her teaching career after graduating from UMBC.  A panel of experts, educators, and parents chose Holt out of 19 finalists from school systems in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. for The Washington Post Teacher of the Year honor.

A Post feature story published on April 7 describes Holt’s childhood, when she first developed a passion for education and learning: “She became a dedicated student inside the classroom and out, spending her weekend nights reading books while other kids looked for parties.” In describing her current teaching position, the article notes “her peers consider her a model educator and her students regard her as an ideal mentor.”

“Shalonda has such a powerful impact on her students and fellow teachers,” said HCPSS Superintendent Renee A. Foose in a Howard County Public School System press release announcing the recognition. “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.”

In a Career Q&A on UMBC’s Alumni Blog, Holt discusses her innovative teaching methods and provides more background about why she decided to enter the education profession. Read more about her work in a Baltimore Sun article announcing her recognition as Howard County Teacher of the Year, and learn more about Holt in a Howard County Public School System “Staff Focus” video below.

Image: Shalonda Holt ’07, named 2016 Washington Post and Howard County Teacher of the Year. Photo by Nicholas Griner, Howard County Public School System.