COE Alumna Named as Finalist for Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award

COLLEGE PARK, MD (April, 2017) – Cherin (Orlin) Hershowitz, a 2003 graduate of the University of Maryland College of Education, is one of three educators who have been named finalists for the 2017–2018 Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award. The award is given to teachers who have at least five years of teaching experience in Montgomery County.

Hershkowitz is a math content specialist at Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown, where she’s been teaching for three years. Prior to that, she worked at South Lake Elementary in Gaithersburg for 11 years.  

“Being recognized for getting to do something you love to do is incredible,” she said. “I hope to continue to live up to and exceed the expectations of the wonderful colleagues and students who graciously spent their time nominating me for this honor.”

Hershwokitz, whose teaching is described as “superb, innovative and engaging,” has been recognized for helping students understand math concepts through real-world experience that help bring lessons to life, analyzing grade-level data and teaching continuing professional development classes to other Montgomery County educators. 

In addition to her accomplishments in the classroom, Hershkowitz has planned and put together Math Nights to help parents better understand Common Core, and is often present during school community events, including the Clemente’s first 5K, the Rock the World Concert—which was held to raise money for a sister school in South Africa—and a program to provide holiday gifts to families in need.

“I look up to Ms. Hershkowitz,” a student wrote in a nomination letter. “She motivates me to excel beyond, and when I become a cardiac surgeon and win Doctor of the Year, I promise she will be right there, standing next to my mother crying with joy, because she will be the reason I am on that stage.”

Montgomery County’s Teacher of the Year will be named on Wednesday, April 26, at the system’s annual Champion for Children Awards Celebration. The event, co-hosted with the Montgomery County Business Roundtable, will be held at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown.

Along with Hershkowitz, Melissa Segal, fourth grade team leader at Luxmanor Elementary School in Rockville, and Nancy Shay, English resource teacher at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, were named as finalists for Teacher of the Year.