Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, The District of Columbia
The Aerospace/Hydrospace Engineering and Physical Sciences High School
Theme(s): Aerospace and Hydrospace Engineering
Grade(s): 9-12
Bridgeport Public Schools
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific
Thurman White Academy of the Performing Arts
Theme(s): Arts, Audio Video Technology, and Communications
Grade(s): 6-8
Clark County School District
Henderson, Nevada
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
Redland Middle School
Theme(s): STEM: Agriscience and Robotics
Grade(s): 6-8
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Homestead, Florida
Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, International
JOSHUA HUNTER
Moore Square AIG/GT Basics Magnet Middle School
Theme(s): Gifted and Talented/AIG Basics
Grade(s): 6-8
Wake County Public School System
Raleigh, North Carolina
Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
KRISTIN BUMGARDNER
Baton Rouge Magnet High School
Theme(s): Academic College Preparatory
Grade(s): 9-12
East Baton Parish Public School System
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
MEGAN HEITKAMP
Salk Middle School
Theme(s): Pre-Engineering STEM focus
Grade(s): 6-8
ISD 728
Elk River, Minnesota
At Magnet Schools of America (MSA) we already know great teachers inspire not only their students but their colleagues and others in the community as well. Magnet Teacher of the Year (TOY) Award annually recognizes an outstanding, dedicated full-time teacher who exemplifies excellence in academic achievement and executes innovative programs that promote equity and diversity for students in magnet schools.
This successful teacher-candidate is acknowledged by peers, parents and students for exemplary contributions made to the profession. This teacher inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn. The award honors a PreK through K-12 Magnet School Teacher who has demonstrated excellence in the teaching profession, community, and parental involvement.
Nominees must be full-time magnet teachers (including specialists, resource/lead teachers) who:
All previous regional recipients are not eligible for three (3) years after being awarded.
All previous monetary recipients are not eligible for five (five) years after being awarded.
The following information will be ENTERED ONLINE during the submission process. The narrative for each criteria must be completed by the candidate or nominator.
In no more than 700 words.
Educational History and Professional Development Activities:
In no more than 400 words.
Professional Biography:
In no more than 600 words.
Community/Parental Involvement:
In no more than 600 words.
Philosophy of Teaching:
In no more than 950 words.
Teaching Profession:
The following candidate information will need to be populated during the online submission process:
Upload PDF during the online submission process.
A basic resume (no more than 3 pages) should accompany the application along with a professional headshot (.jpg, .jpeg or .png) of the Teacher. Resume should include education, administrative experience, professional growth opportunities and dates (i.e., memberships and offices held in professional organizations/associations; professional development activities; publications/articles; leadership positions/roles).
Upload PDF during the online submission process.
Download blank signatures page HERE. Three signatures needed:
2019 Teacher of the Year. Walter Carter
Walter Carter, Milford Mill Academy, Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore County, Maryland
Mr. Walter Carter, automotive services teacher at Milford Mill Academy, distinguishes himself as an automotive professional with a large and ongoing body of knowledge in automotive education.
Mr. Carter has taken his lifetime love and involvement in automotive service to develop a program to expand his students’ knowledge and skills. He has developed relationships with the business community and coordinated internships and externships for the automotive students.
Carter, an ASE certified technician since 1985, has been teaching for 12 years, all of them at Milford Mill Academy. From 2008 – 2014, he served on Maryland’s curriculum writing committee for automotive technology. He is a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certified automotive educator and was selected as the school’s own 2019 Teacher of the Year.
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Waterbury Arts Magnet School
Theme(s): Art
Grade(s): 6-12
Waterbury Public Schools
Waterbury, Connecticut
Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, The District of Columbia and International
Milford Mill Academy
Theme(s): Arts & Technology
Grade(s): 9-12
Baltimore County Public Schools
Baltimore, Maryland
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts
Theme(s): Fine & Performing Arts
Grade(s): 9-12
Clayton County Public Schools
Jonesboro, Georgia
Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
BETSY GRAVES
Broughton Global Studies/Language Immersion Magnet High School
Theme(s): Global Studies, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Language Immersion (Spanish & Chinese) beginning in 2 years in connection with magnet pathway elementary and middle schools
Grade(s): 9-12
Wake County Public School System
Raleigh, North Carolina
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
HEATHER WILLIAMS
South Highlands Academic & Performing Arts Magnet Elementary School
Theme(s): Academic, Visual & Performing Arts
Grade(s): 3-4
Caddo Parish Public Schools
Shreveport, Louisiana
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin
JILL JENSEN
Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts & Science
Theme(s): Arts & Science
Grade(s): K-5
District 196
Eagan, Minnesota
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific
Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy
Theme(s): Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Pre-Law, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement, 911 Dispatch
Grade(s): 9-12
Clark County School District
Las Vegas, Nevada
Dr. April Guenzler, Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary, Wake County Public School System, Raleigh, North Carolina
Dr. April Guenzler has been a classroom teacher in North Carolina for 17 years. She became a National Board certified teacher in 2014 and graduated with an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University in May of 2016. Dr. Guenzler loves working with families and their communities and is passionate about integrated curriculum. She has been a part of her school since the conception of its magnet program and her teaching philosophy clearly aligns with the Paideia principles, which provide the foundation for Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary. She believes that learning occurs when students are actively engaged in hands-on authentic experiences and she has facilitated professional development on Paideia Principles, Responsive Classroom, museums approaches to learning, the Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI), and curriculum unit design.
She is also a mentor at her school and works weekly with new teachers (during their first three years of initial licensure) to develop their capacity in teaching. Most recently she was invited by Gardner-Webb faculty to become involved with the Urban Educators Leadership Collaborative (UELC) through Teachers College at Columbia University, NY.
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School
Theme(s): Performing and Visual Arts
Grade(s): K-5
New London Public Schools
New London, Connecticut
Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, The District of Columbia and International
Randallstown High School
Theme(s): Biomedical Technology and Mass Communication, Academy of Health Professions
Grade(s): 11-12
Baltimore County Public Schools
Randallstown, Maryland
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
Howard D. McMillan Middle School
Theme(s): Medical and Health Sciences, Robotics Engineering and Technology
Grade(s): 6-8
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami, Florida
Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
Brooks Magnet Elementary School
Theme(s): Museums
Grade(s): K-5
Wake County Public School System
Cary, North Carolina
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
Southeast Middle School
Theme(s): Digital Arts and Technology
Grade(s): 6-8
East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Franklin Fine Arts Center
Theme(s): Fine Arts
Grade(s): K-8
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago, Illinois
Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming
McLean Science & Technology Magnet
Theme(s): Science and Technology
Grade(s): K-5
Wichita Public Schools
Wichita, Kansas
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific
Las Vegas Academy
Theme(s): The Arts
Grade(s): 9-12
Clark County School District
Las Vegas, Nevada
Raise the level of performance consistent throughout school districts nationwide and creates a platform from which all magnet schools can flourish. Magnet Schools of America’s national certification process is designed to recognize the hard work of the best magnet schools in the nation and to help them as they grow.
