Greencastle Elementary School Teacher Honored as American Star of Teaching for Maryland

Amy Corbman, a second grade teacher at Greencastle Elementary School, was honored today by the U.S. Department of Education as the American Star of Teaching for Maryland in a surprise ceremony led by Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education John McGrath, and state and local education leaders.

Corbman was nominated by a group of teachers, counselors, and paraeducators at Greencastle Elementary School. She was chosen from among nearly 100 teachers in Maryland who were nominated for the award by their teaching colleagues.

Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines are being honored this fall as American Stars of Teaching. One teacher will be recognized in every state and the District of Columbia. A committee of former teachers at the U.S. Department of Education selected the American Stars from among 5,000 nominations nationwide based on their success in improving academic performance and making a difference in their students’ lives.

Corbman is known for using creative and innovative methods and materials to appeal to a variety of learning styles. She teaches her students reading strategies, spelling, vocabulary, the writing process, and math concepts through the use of original songs, poems, and chants accompanied by kinesthetic motions she has created. Corbman teaches a spectrum of special needs and high-performing students. Her special needs students typically begin the year reading far below grade level and end the year performing to grade-level standards. Her students consistently meet and exceed standards in mathematics.

According to Greencastle Principal Andrew Winter, Corbman has an incredible ability to relate to her students and to make them feel valued and respected. “She builds a hunger for learning that I have rarely seen in my career,” he says.

“Teachers like Amy Corbman combine a passion for teaching with high expectations that every child can learn,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. “We at the U.S. Department of Education are proud to recognize these dedicated, hard-working professionals, who are committed to closing the achievement gap and challenging every child to achieve his or her potential.”

Started in 2004, the American Stars of Teaching program is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative, which includes regional and district workshops, roundtables for teachers and principals, regular e-mail updates, and digital learning.