Madeline Hanington, staff development teacher at Hallie Wells Middle School, has been named a finalist for the 2019-2020 Maryland Teacher of the Year.

The Maryland State Department of Education named Hanington and six other educators across the state as finalists for the honor. A winner will be named during a gala reception and dinner in Baltimore on October 25. The winner will receive cash awards, technology equipment, national travel opportunities, and a new car valued at more than $25,000, donated by the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association.

In April, Hanington was named the 2019-2020 Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) Teacher of the Year during the annual Champions for Children celebration.

Once an English Language Learner herself who holds an undergraduate degree in art, Hanington’s teaching style is dynamic, challenging, innovative and nurturing. Data demonstrate the effectiveness of her approach. Academic intervention programs she created and implemented increased Maryland State Assessment scores by at least five percent. A 2011 Milken Educator Award Winner, Hanington is also not only a mentor to the school’s English teachers, but also supports and advises the rest of the staff and others outside Hallie Wells. She serves as co-sponsor of the Junior National Honor Society, as well as the school’s Lady Scholars program, an after-school program to support young women in achieving their highest potential. 

Hanington is competing against teachers in six other Maryland districts. The other finalists are: Teresa Beilstein, Anne Arundel County; Brandi Jason, Carroll County; Jossie Perry, Cecil County; Michael Franklin, Frederick County; Paige Milanoski, Harford County; and Joshua Edwards, Washington County.