[Baltimore Sun] Lake Shore Elementary music teacher wins Anne Arundel teacher of the year
Read Time:1 Minute, 52 Second
Lake Shore Elementary music teacher Elizabeth Heist was named Anne Arundel schools’ Teacher of the Year at a Friday night ceremony.
Elizabeth Heist, a music teacher at Lake Shore Elementary School for 11 years, tonight was named the 2024 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. (AACPS/Courtesy phgoto)
Heist, who has spent her entire 11-year career at Lake Shore, is the first teacher from her school to win this honor.
“I am blessed to have had so many champions throughout my life,” said Heist. “I wouldn’t have gotten to this point without each and every one of them.”
During her acceptance speech, Heist thanked her college band director and her other professors for their help and inspiration on her own musical journey. Heist graduated from Grove City College in Pennsylvania in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in music.
“They taught me to always put relationships and connections first and the rest would eventually fall into place,” she said.
Also, while addressing those in the audience at the Live Event Center at Arundel Mills and watching the ceremony streamed live, she urged everyone to seek every opportunity to help children.
“No matter your role in education – student, caregiver, administrator, secretary, custodian, educator, or something else – take the time to make connections a priority,” she said. “Set high expectations and make the small moments count.”
Heist wasn’t the only teacher honored on Friday night. In all, 69 teachers from public and private schools, four principals, and an education support professional were recognized during this year’s Excellence in Education program.
Other finalists for this year’s Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year honor were:
Patrick Alexander, instrumental music, Piney Orchard Elementary School
Jesse Bragg, math, Meade Middle School
Amy Chitwood, special education, Ridgeway Elementary School
Kellie Skinner, special education, Annapolis High School
AACPS educators have won Maryland Teacher of the Year in three of the last seven years. Mary Kay Connerton of Annapolis High School (2023), Teresa Beilstein of South Shore Elementary School (2020) and Josh Carroll of South River High School (2018). AACPS Teachers of the Year have also been finalists for Maryland Teacher of the Year in eight of the last nine years.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0