Patapsco High's McComb Named Maryland's Top Teacher

Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts added another big honor to its trophy case Friday night when English teacher Sean McComb was named Maryland's Teacher of the Year.

The state Teacher of the Year was announced Friday night by Gov. Martin O'Malley and State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowrey at the annual Teacher of the Year Gala at Martin's West, according to a statement from the Maryland State Department of Education.

McComb was selected from a pool of seven finalists for the honor. Finalists were chosen from 24 semi-finalists representing the top teachers of all 23 counties and Baltimore city, all of whom were honored at Friday's celebration.

"Maryland schools have been ranked No. 1 by Education Week magazine for five years in a row because our teachers are the nation's very best," O'Malley said in the statement. "Sean McComb is a shining representative of the many great educators who dedicate their lives to working with our state's students."

McComb "personifies the cutting edge Maryland educator," according to Lowrey.

"He is an energetic instructor, making certain his students set goals, commit to those targets, succeed and move forward toward college or career," she said.

McComb focuses on "creating critical readers, strong writers and judicious thinkers," according to the statement.

He coordinates Patapsco's Advancement Via Individual Determination program, which helps hone students' work habits and academic skills. He stresses the value of community service by working with students on projects that help feed the Dundalk community's hungry residents.

McComb, who received undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, serves as a curriculum writer and adjunct teacher at Towson University. He is working toward his School Leadership certification from Goucher College.

"Our schools must provide the opportunity for any individual to become educated and economically competitive, " McComb said in the statement. "My teaching is built on the belief that relationships and engagement can turn challenges into opportunity for excellence for all students."

Along with the title of Maryland's top teacher, McComb will receive a cash award, technology equipment, national travel opportunities and the gift of a 2014 Kia Forte donated by the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association.

The Maryland title puts McComb in the running for National Teacher of the Year. All state winners will be honored with a reception at the White House next spring when the nation's top teacher will be announced.

Maryland has had two national winners in the past seven years. Elementary school teacher Kimberly Oliver of Montgomery County Public Schools won the honor in 2006 and Frederick County Public Schools high school chemistry teacher Michelle Shearer was the nation's top teacher in 2011.

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