Archives
T.O.Y. Stories Blog
The Power of Community
January 11, 2019
Erin Doolittle
Frederick County Teacher of the Year, 2015
My school is a truly special place. We have the privilege to educate a population ...Learn more 
Using Every Tool in the Education Toolbox
October 30, 2018
Carol Detrick Garner
Allegany County Teacher of the Year, 2013
The mighty Gymnogyps californianus was proving to be one tough bird.
To make a long genetic bottleneck ...Learn more 
Teaching Kids, Not Classes
September 13, 2018
Sarah Desrosiers, M.Ed.
Charles County Teacher of the Year, 2015-2016
Today’s children need so much more than we did when we went to school. Society has ...Learn more 
Maintaining a Positive Learning Environment
July 6, 2018
Thomas Mills
Dorchester County Teacher of the Year, 2014-2015
I teach chemistry and physics – two subjects which cause students to become intimidated and lose self-confidence. ...Learn more 
“Live, Laugh, Love & Learn”
April 30, 2018
Kimberly C. King
Charles County Teacher of the Year, 2014-2015
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. These words need to be at the heart of every teacher and ...Learn more 
We Are Teachers
March 16, 2018
Kelly O’Hara
Elkton High School
Social Studies 9-12 Grade
Cecil County
2015 Cecil County TOY
During my first year of teaching, in the middle of an observation, a girl ...Learn more 
TOY Stories Blog: We Are Family – Thoughts on Teaching in an Open Space Classroom
November 19, 2015
By Dana Jo Reinhardt
Open space school design gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s with the hopes of recreating the wholesome “one ...Learn more 
TOY Stories Blog: Connecting Students with the World Around Them
October 13, 2015
By Ryan Kaiser
I come from a family of teachers. My grandmother taught elementary school and both my parents were teachers and educational administrators. It ...Learn more 
Be the Refuge for Your Students
September 4, 2015
By Laura Ann Collins
No matter what you think you know, you simply don’t really know, so don’t assume you do. Always, always, always give children ...Learn more Creating Positive Student-Teacher and Student-Student Interaction
August 5, 2015
By Derek Berger
Posing a thought provoking question to high school students is often met with the same result – the sound of silence. Even ...Learn more 
TOY Stories Blog: Positivity is the Key – Encouraging Parental Involvement
July 10, 2015
By Jodie Hogan
What is the first thing on my to-do list on Friday mornings? You guessed it! It is to make one positive phone ...Learn more 
TOY Stories Blog: Problem-based Hands-on Learning is Key
June 12, 2015
By Chad Shelly
There is one huge challenge all teachers face. We have to find a way to manage 25 or more student behaviors, while helping ...Learn more T.O.Y. Stories Blog: Students as Student Leaders in Classroom Instruction
May 14, 2015
By Jon Cox
In my co-taught math classroom, the instructional team often includes student leaders. Students in this class typically collaborate in a small ...Learn more 
TOY Stories Blog: Parents are key to help struggling readers succeed
April 20, 2015
By Mary Bailey
We’ve all heard the saying, “reading is fundamental.” As a Reading Recovery teacher who works with students who are already falling behind ...Learn more 
TOY Stories Blog: From Detaining to Restoring
March 2, 2015
By Sean McComb
Assign detention to raise achievement. Really?
Detention is usually considered a punitive and preventative “last resort” for most teachers. Early in my career ...Learn more 
Adventures in ‘Close Reading’: A Teacher Prepares for PARCC
February 6, 2015
PARCC exams help teachers focus on instruction that builds students’ real-world skills
By Christina Houstian
“All this?” asked Dana, a sophomore in my Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. ...Learn more TOY Stories Blog: On My Knees with Meter Sticks
January 29, 2015
Carol Detrick Garner
TOY Stories: An Education Blog Sharing Thoughts, Ideas and Strategies from Maryland’s Teachers of the Year.
By Carol Detrick Garner
Why you might ask ...Learn more 
TOY Stories Blog: Using Project-Based Learning to Expand Student Success
January 15, 2015
By Laura Shelton
8th Grade Science
Benjamin D. Foulois Creative and Performing Arts School
Prince George’s County Maryland
I want ALL of my students to do well in ...Learn more 
T.O.Y. Stories Blog: Facing the Challenge
December 18, 2014
Anne Cross
T.O.Y. Stories: An Education Blog Sharing Thoughts, Ideas and Strategies from Maryland’s Teachers of the Year.
Facing the Challenge
By Anne Cross
You know the kid. ...Learn more 
T.O.Y. Stories Blog: A Teacher’s Best Practice for Parent Engagement is Positive Communication
November 20, 2014
T.O.Y. Stories
Marlo Coppage
An Education Blog Sharing Thoughts, Ideas and Strategies from Maryland’s Teachers of the Year.
Welcome to MSDE’s T.O.Y. Stories Blog. The blog capitalizes ...Learn more 