Nominees for the 2022 Teacher of the Year Award have been narrowed down to 10, and ultimately in just  a few weeks, to the top 5, and ultimately, a single winner. In the North Harford community, eighth grade teacher Mr. George Curry, along with fourth grade teacher Mrs. Jennifer Covert have been moved on to the top 10. 

     Both say they are so grateful for the opportunity and  Covert and Curry both said they  felt similar feelings of shock after learning of their nominations.. Covert added, “I could not believe how thoughtful they were to nominate me for such an honor. It just made me smile and feel really good inside!” Curry has a similar reaction.   “It took a few minutes to sink in. It is still surreal in some ways,” the social studies teacher said.

     In the beginning of the process, letters are written by the nominators about these teachers.  Curry was nominated by several individuals including Joseph Ucciferro, a student from last year and his mother, Dr. Wickman (NHMS Principal), Lori Frendak (retired co-worker and former Teacher of the Year), and Tamara Rush (parent of  HCPS graduates and former Board of Education representative for North Harford).

     Covert said her nomination came from “Melanie Kane from Harford Glen Environmental Education Center and Sarah Guy, the school counselor here at North Harford Elementary School.”

     Both Curry and Covert are veteran educators. “I do not just care about helping my students become better mathematicians and readers, I aim to help them build confidence, desire to hear about their extra-curricular activities, and be there for them when they lose a pet or another loved one,” Covert says.

     Curry adds he hopes students, “Never, EVER allow a number or letter on a piece of paper or computer screen to define who [they] are or [their] success. It can never truly measure your effort and growth. It’s only one part of the bigger picture.”

     If he wins, Curry said he would tie his achievement in with the military. “I would like to start an initiative to recruit and educate veterans to become teachers. The military is a constant cycle of learning and teaching. They have all the skills needed to be great teachers and can be a positive influence on students. It’s not what you see on TV and in movies,” he says, being a former veteran himself. 

     Covert said she already feels like a winner but if she gets the top prize, she would use it to help with certain initiatives regarding the school system.  She said, “students’ mental health and well being have risen to the top of the ladder of importance. I would love to have more supports in place for students (and faculty, too!) as they navigate mental health concerns.”

  Curry states his teaching philosophy is  “Keep trying-never quit. Rule #1 in my class: Try. Try again. Keep trying. Don’t stop, keep trying. Don’t quit, you got this. Because amazing things can and will happen when you try.”

   Similarly, Covert’s philosophy is that “a child cannot learn as well if they are hungry, feel unsafe, feel unloved, or like they do not belong. Much of what I aspire to do is to lead with love and to make each child feel important.”