Somerset County Public Schools

Interested in National Board Certification In Somerset County Public Schools? Go For It! Read Ms. Amanda Lankford's story!
I have been saying I was going to pursue National Board Certification "one of these days" for years. When Maryland and SCPS began covering the cost of submitting the portfolios, I decided I had run out of excuses and it was time to do it.
I have always known that I didn't want to become an administrator. I love teaching. I love working with students every day, and I wanted to find a way to continue my professional growth without leaving the classroom. National Board Certification made that possible. Now, with the Lead and Distinguished Teacher positions on the new career ladder, I can stay where I love being while also working with and supporting other teachers. It's exactly what I have always wanted to do!
My biggest obstacle was honestly me. I'm a procrastinator. At first, the directions felt so vague that I wasn't even sure where to begin. I kept waiting until I understood it better, when what I really needed to do was just start. Once I dug into the components, everything began to make sense.
The biggest lesson I learned came from Component 4. Having to use evidence to show how I was meeting my students' needs forced me to become much more intentional about setting specific, measurable goals based on the kids sitting in my classroom, not just what objective I was planning to teach. It changed the way I think about instruction and made me a better teacher.
National Board Certification has also given me confidence in ways I didn't expect. It's rewarding when other teachers come to me for ideas or ask me to mentor them because they recognize the work and reflection that earning this certification represents. It's nice to be viewed as an expert, but even more importantly, I know I'm a better teacher today than I was before I started the process.
If you're thinking about pursuing National Board Certification, my advice is just do it. Don't let the uncertainty at the beginning keep you from getting started. The process will challenge you, and help you discover both your strengths and the areas where you can grow. You'll come out a stronger and better educator.
Seeing those fireworks when the scores were released was one of the best professional moments of my career. I won't pretend that my first paycheck with the National Board salary increase wasn't pretty exciting too! But the greatest reward has been knowing that I became the teacher my students deserve and that I can now help other teachers along that same journey.
-Ms. Amanda Lankford
-SCPS Lead Teacher

Preparing students for careers in science and healthcare, Ms. Angelisa Hosfield brings real-world relevance into the Biomedical Sciences classroom at Somerset County Technical High School. As the school’s 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year candidate, she leads hands-on learning experiences that connect directly to future opportunities.

We wish Ms. Hosfield and all Somerset Teacher of the Year finalists the best of luck. The Elementary, Secondary, and overall Somerset Teacher of the Year will be announced at the 2026–2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2026.

In Sarah Mister’s classroom at Somerset Intermediate School, her 6th grade students are building both math skills and confidence. A 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year candidate, she emphasizes problem-solving and plays an active role in supporting a positive school climate.

We wish Ms. Mister and all Somerset Teacher of the Year finalists the best of luck. The Elementary, Secondary, and overall Somerset Teacher of the Year will be announced at the 2026–2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2026.

2026-2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year candidate, Ms. Susan Finlayson, brings learning to life in her first grade classroom at Princess Anne Elementary through hands-on experiences, including outdoor science in the Monarch Waystation Garden. .

We wish Ms. Finlayson and all Somerset Teacher of the Year finalists the best of luck. The Elementary, Secondary, and overall Somerset Teacher of the Year will be announced at the 2026–2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2026.