Donald R. Morrison was born and raised in Harford County and is a proud 1962 graduate of Edgewood High School. He received his associate degree from Harford Junior College (now Harford Community College) in 1968, and he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from Towson State College (now Towson University) in 1970. In 1978, he earned his master’s equivalency as a result of graduate work at Morgan State and Towson State.

Mr. Morrison credits two very special teachers in his life for having the most influence on his decision to become a teacher. He admired his high school English teacher and baseball coach, Mr. Charles “Chuck” Marzen, for the way in which he took a personal interest in his students. He later patterned his teaching after his high school U.S. History teacher, Ms. Jacqueline Fried, who was a remarkable teacher with great knowledge of the subject and a knack for conveying it to students.

Mr. Morrison was a teacher and coach at Aberdeen High School for 8.5 years, from 1970 to 1978. He loved the interaction with the students, especially when they came to realize how important an understanding of history was to their lives. Teaching mostly juniors and seniors, he was able to see his students mature and develop purpose for their lives. In addition, as both a basketball and baseball coach, he was afforded the opportunity to share his passion for sports with his students and get to know them on a far more personal level. One of his many accomplishments at Aberdeen High was organizing the annual Human Relations Day, where representatives from various human services organizations visited the school to talk one-on-one with the more than 1,700 students about issues impacting their lives. Full Article and Photo Gallery

Dr. Dennis L. Kirkwood was born in Harford County and is a proud product of Harford County Public Schools. He was raised and still resides on his family’s farm, Newark, which has been in his family since 1793, supporting the eighth generation at present. The farm is located in north western Harford County.

Dr. Kirkwood’s great uncle was C. Milton Wright, and he also had two aunts who taught in Harford County. In addition, his grandmother taught in a one-room school in Harford County around the time of 1915. So, teaching ran in his family. But Dr. Kirkwood credits his teachers from Jarrettsville Elementary and North Harford Jr. and Sr. high schools for inspiring him to follow their excellent example.

Dr. Kirkwood attended McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College) where, in 1974, he earned his Bachelor of Science Summa Cum Laude in biology and physical education. He went on to Northern Illinois University to complete the Master of Science of Education in Outdoor Teacher Education in 1977. At University of Maryland College Park he pursued his Doctor of Education in Educational Policy and Administration, which he completed in 2000. Full Article and Photo Gallery

C. Scott Sharnetzka is a native of York Pennsylvania. He graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 1968 with a Bachelor in Science in Music Education and from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in 1973 with a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance. Serving as a member of the 327th Army Band, Edgewood Arsenal brought Mr. Sharnetzka to Harford County. Mr. Sharnetzka credits his high school band director with having the most positive and influencing force on his decision to teach. He taught music at Bel Air High School from 1973 to 1979 and when C. Milton Wright High School opened, he transferred to that school for the remainder of his career with Harford County Public Schools (HCPS). Mr. Sharnetzka made many significant contributions to the music program and to the school system during his career. As band director and department chair, he quickly made a reputation for that school’s music program. His bands soon became organizations to be envied and imitated. He inspired young brass players and taught them the knowledge, skills, responsibility and pride it takes to be a musician.

Mr. Sharnetzka’s passion for music and his dedication to his students was always at the forefront of his teaching career. He considers sharing his love of music and witnessing the success of his students to be a true blessing in his life. In addition to serving on the county-wide Gifted and Talented Committee, he was the recipient of numerous awards and honors during his career, including the Maryland Music Educators Association Award of Excellence – Outstanding Music Teacher of the Year Award in 1997, the Maryland House of Delegates Resolution for Excellence for Outstanding Service to the Youth of Harford County in 1998, and most recently, induction in the Maryland Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 2012. Mr. Sharnetzka retired from HCPS in 2003, but remained very active in the music community. He has held the position of director of the Bel Air Community Band and the Bel Air Jazz Ensemble since 1996. He is presently on the staff of Harford Community College as an adjunct professor of music. In addition, he has served as a guest conductor throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and he has performed with the Ice Capades, the Ice Follies, the Moscow Circus and numerous off-Broadway shows as a freelance trumpet player.

Mr. Sharnetzka lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, also a retired music teacher from Harford County. In his spare time, he teaches private trumpet lessons and enjoys fishing, hunting, reading and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Mr. Sharnetzka was nominated for induction in the HCPS Educator Hall of Fame by Charlsie Brooks, with letters of endorsement from Paula Roberty, Esther Dombrowski and the Scarborough family. Full Article and Photo Gallery

James R. Murdza was born May 18, 1938, in Mount Caramel, Pennsylvania. In 1959, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St. Vincent College. Later, he earned his master’s equivalency from Towson University. Mr. Murdza credits his Aunt Julie, who was an elementary school teacher, for inspiring him to enter the field of education. When he was offered a job with Harford County Public Schools (HCPS), he moved to Harford County to begin his career and went on to devote 30 outstanding years of selfless dedication to students, faculty, staff and community. From 1959 to 1963, Mr. Murdza taught at Jarrettsville, Slate Ridge and Highland elementary schools. In 1963, he transferred to Edgewood High School where he taught music until his retirement in 1989.

Mr. Murdza made many significant contributions to the music program and to the school system during his career. He spearheaded the creation of the jazz program as an afterschool activity, which later led to the addition of Jazz Esemble as a credit course at Edgewood High School and eventually throughout HCPS. In addition, he was instrumental in expanding the HCPS music program to include jazz improvisation, music theory and piano lab. In 1965, he founded the Edgewood High School Chesapeake Jazz Festival, and in just a few years, this event drew high school jazz ensembles from up and down the east coast. Mr. Murdza believed that learning happened outside the four walls of a classroom or music room, and he provided students real-world learning through a series of jazz ensemble field trips and concerts. He and his students traveled up and down the east coast competing in many competitions and being recognized as one of the best high school bands in the country on several occasions. Mr. Murdza also organized two trips to the All American Jazz Festival in Mobile, Alabama and even took his students to Switzerland one year. Each year at the annual band banquet, Mr. Murdza was known for reminding seniors and their parents, “We can replace the instrument, but not the student.” Former students of Mr. Murdza credit him with sparking their interest in music and encouraging and supporting them to reach their full potential as musicians. Mr. Murdza was an inspiration to those he taught, and his positive influence had a lasting impact, well beyond high school graduation.

Following his retirement in 1989, Mr. Murdza continued to be very active in the school community. He came out of retirement in 1990 for one year to assist the Fallston High School band director who was terminally ill. When the band director passed away, Mr. Murdza continued to teach his students and led them in their performances for the remainder of the year. He also directed the Alumni Jazz Band Concert, which brought together former Edgewood High School music students. A scholarship was established in Mr. Murdza’s name for an outstanding senior who is continuing music education in college. Mr. Murdza was nominated for induction in the HCPS Educator Hall of Fame by Stephen Moyer, with letters of endorsement from David Roberts, Gloria Bruch, Robert Bruch, Ted Buis, Nancy Dall, Bill Reiber, Mark Sanders and Derrick Terry. Full Article and Photo Gallery

Patricia L. Skebeck was born and raised in Indiana, Pa. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Following the completion of her project entitled The Effects of Standardized Testing on Teaching in the Elementary Schools, she earned her Master of Education in Elementary Education from Towson University. She went on to complete post-graduate work at Towson University, Loyola College and Goucher College. Ms. Skebeck was the first in her family to choose a career in teaching, and she credits her high school English teacher, Mrs. Blair, for inspiring her. What she loved most about teaching was watching a child “get it” and seeing the look of pride on his or her face. She was passionate about ensuring every year that each of her students left her classroom having learned something.

Ms. Skebeck began her career with Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) teaching third grade at George D. Lisby Elementary School at Hillsdale, and she went on to devote 30 outstanding years of selfless dedication to students, faculty, staff and community. She was next promoted to a teaching assistant principal at Meadowvale Elementary School, where she was in a fifth grade classroom in the morning and the office in the afternoon. She became a full-time assistant principal at Youth’s Benefit Elementary, and was then promoted to principal at Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary. She transferred to William Paca Elementary before being promoted to executive director of elementary education at the school system’s central office. Following the untimely passing of Superintendent Jacqueline C. Haas, Ms. Skebeck served as interim superintendent until she retired in 2009. Ms. Skebeck made several significant contributions to the school system during her career. She was instrumental in HCPS becoming a more data-driven system, bringing more resources to the school levels with mentor teachers and instructional facilitators accessible to the schools and teachers. Under her leadership as director, pre-kindergarten was instituted and kindergarten expanded to a full day, three new elementary schools were built and staffed and five elementary schools were renovated. She worked with curriculum supervisors to change curriculum to meet standards and worked with schools to build school improvement plans that used data to make decisions about teaching and learning.

Ms. Skebeck was the recipient of many awards and honors throughout her career, including the prestigious Milken National Educator Award. She was also selected as a member of the State Superintendent’s Talent Pool. She worked on numerous state and national committees exploring curriculum; teaching strategies; professional development; and title one, gifted education and special education programs. Ms. Skebeck continues to be very active in the community and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Citizens Rehabilitation and Nursing Home and chairs a scholarship program sponsored by the Ravens Nest 1 that has given more than $100,000 to student athletes in each high school in Harford County. She has three daughters. Lisa is a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Lori is assistant principal at C. Milton Wright High School and Julie is a middle school math chair in Virginia. In addition, she has four grandchildren: Katie, a graduate of Fallston High and Ross, a sophomore at Fallston High; and Nate and Noah, seventh and fourth graders, respectively, in Virginia. Most know Ms. Skebeck as an avid Ravens fan. Ms. Skebeck was nominated for induction in the HCPS Educator Hall of Fame by Dr. Rachael R. Reid, with endorsements from Dr. Leslie D. Goodwin, Richard Hyson and Len Chapel. Full Article and Photo Gallery

Paul M. Metzger was born and raised on a farm in Springfield, Ohio, the third oldest of eight children. He graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1967 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts. He went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Vocational Education from the University of Maryland in 1973 and later received his advanced professional degree in administration and supervision from Morgan State University in 1975.

Mr. Metzger knew as a seventh grade student that he wanted to become a teacher and coach. His high school teachers and coaches further influenced his dream of teaching, and his parents encouraged him to attend college. His father was an aeronautical engineer and the first astronaut in the world to spend seven days in a closed space capsule, and he served as Mr. Metzger’s mentor and gave him direction in his life. Mr. Metzger settled in Harford County when he was recruited by Mr. Don Judy and Dr. Earl Lightcap, who offered him the opportunity to teach woodshop and coach at Edgewood High School.

Mr. Metzger selflessly devoted 30 years to Harford County Public Schools students, faculty and staff and the community. His entire career was spent at Edgewood High School. As a wood shop teacher, Mr. Metzger initiated an annual woodworking show for students to display their projects and accomplishments. In 1972, he developed and implemented the first work experience program at Edgewood High School and contributed to the countywide work experience program. In this role, he chaired several countywide work experience banquets to recognize and nearly 500 students and employers. He also opened the Edgewood High School bookstore, which was solely operated by students under his guidance, and was part of the effort to redesign the school logo to the ram. Full Article and Photo Gallery

Terry L. LaPorte was born and raised in Tyrone, Pennsylvania and attended Clarion State College where, in 1967, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. He received a Masters of Education in instructional technology from Towson University in 1975 and also holds degrees in elementary education, library science, and business management with an emphasis in hotel management. He has completed additional work at Loyola University, the University of Maryland and the University of Miami in Ohio.

Mr. LaPorte has been a resident of Harford County for 45 years and selflessly devoted 40 of those years to Harford County Public Schools students, faculty and staff and the community. Mr. LaPorte says that entering the education field came naturally because his mother, father and aunt were teachers when he was young. He began his career at Havre de Grace Middle School as a media specialist in 1967, where his school media program was named an outstanding model by the U.S. Department of Education. Mr. LaPorte has also served as media specialist at Havre de Grace Middle, Jarrettsville Elementary, North Harford Middle, Fallston High, and Fallston Middle schools. He was promoted to Supervisor of Library Services in 1995, a position he held until his retirement in 2007.

During his career, Mr. LaPorte participated with the Maryland State Department of Education as an in-service presenter at meetings for eastern shore counties. He also served on the Mandarin Library Automation Advisory Board and on the Curriculum and Education Resource Finder (CERF) Curriculum Advisory Board. Mr. LaPorte has been a member of the American Library Association and the Maryland Library Association, and was a founding member of the Harford County Media Association in 1970. In 1986, he was named ‘Outstanding Educator” by the North Harford Middle School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Full Article and Photo Gallery

Sarah S. S. Spencer was born and raised in Havre de Grace, Maryland and attended Maryland State Normal School at Towson where, in 1934, she earned a teaching certificate. In 1943, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Towson State Teachers College.

Mrs. Spencer was a resident of Harford County for 80 years where she devoted 27 outstanding years of selfless dedication to students, faculty, staff and the community. From childhood, Mrs. Spencer aspired to become a teacher. She began her teaching career at Aberdeen Elementary School at the young age of 19 where she first taught a combined fifth and seventh grade class. She was appointed teaching principal of Havre de Grace Elementary School in September 1945 by C. Milton Wright, a position she held until her resignation as principal in 1948. She remained a fifth grade teacher at Havre de Grace until December 1949 when she became a stay-at home mother. Mrs. Spencer then returned to teaching 16 years later in 1965 at Oakington (now known as Roye Williams) Elementary where she remained until her retirement in 1977.

During her career, she served as president of the Harford County Teachers’ Association from 1939 to 1941 and became a member of the Alpha Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Society in 1945. Full Article and Photo Gallery

Dr. Gerald E. Scarborough was born and raised in Churchville, Maryland and attended Marshall College, the University of Maryland and Towson State College where, in 1969, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. He completed graduate work at Johns Hopkins University and Towson State College where, in 1972, he received his Masters of Education. In 1975, he received his Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Maryland.

Dr. Scarborough has been a lifelong resident of Harford County where he devoted 37 outstanding years of selfless dedication to students, faculty, staff and the community. He began his teaching career at Rock Glenn Middle School in Baltimore City in the spring of 1969 and started teaching at Bel Air Middle that fall. During his teaching career, he also taught at Southampton and Havre de Grace middle schools before being promoted to teaching assistant principal at North Harford Middle, in 1986. In 1990, he was promoted to assistant principal and then principal of North Harford Middle in 1992. He served as supervisor of social studies from 1998 to 2001 and then as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for seven years before his retirement in 2008. He is currently an adjunct professor at Towson University.

Dr. Scarborough assisted with the review and improvements of the grading and reporting policies of HCPS and with the review and revision of all HCPS curriculum guides. He served as the regional director and member of the Maryland Board of Directors for the Odyssey of the Mind Program. He chaired the review of the Comprehensive Secondary School Reform Plan for HCPS and co-chaired the Maryland Middle School Steering Committee. From 2003-2008 he served as the HCPS point of contact for the Bridge to Excellence Master Plan. He also served as a chairman for the HCPS Middle School Reform Committee and established and co-chaired a committee of educators from HCPS and Harford Community College to address common issues and concerns. Full Article and Photo Gallery

Levin Heath was born in Nanticoke, Wicomico County, Maryland and attended Salisbury State Teachers College where, in 1950, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1945, serving into 1947. While in the service, he had the opportunity to study at Virginia Military Institute and Texas A&M. In 1956, he received his Masters of Education from the University of Delaware and later completed additional studies at the University of Maryland and Northern Michigan University.

Mr. Heath wanted to live in a rural setting near a larger city, so he settled down in Harford County where he devoted 30 outstanding years of selfless dedication to students, faculty, staff and the community of Harford County Public Schools. He enjoyed working with youth when he was a teenager, and since there were five in his immediate family that had teaching as a profession, he was drawn to the career.

He began his teaching career at Havre de Grace Elementary School in 1950. He was promoted to teaching principal at Slate Ridge Elementary School in 1952, and went on to continue serving in his leadership role as a non-teaching principal at Dublin Elementary School from 1955 to 1956. In 1956, he was appointed principal of William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School and remained in that capacity until 1963 when he was appointed to the role of supervisor of elementary schools. Mr. Heath served the faculties and students of Homestead/Wakefield, Deerfield, Highland, Youth’s Benefit, Churchville, Magnolia and Slate Ridge elementary schools for 17 years until retiring in 1980. Full Article and Photo Gallery

Donald R. Osman was born and raised in Kennedy Township, a part of McKees Rocks, PA, a city located just outside of Pittsburgh. He attended the College of Steubenville where, in 1965, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. In 1972, he furthered his education by earning his Masters of Education in Reading from Loyola College.

Mr. Osman always knew he wanted to be a teacher. He was influenced by the outstanding teachers he had throughout his school years, especially Mrs. Leydig in second grade, Mrs. Acklin in fifth grade, Mrs. Christiansen in eighth grade and Mr. Cook in eleventh grade. Mr. Osman is the only one of nine children in his family to earn a college degree. During his senior year at the College of Steubenville, he met with recruiters from Harford County Public Schools (HCPS). After visiting the area, he was impressed with the rural areas and the friendliness of the small towns. It was reminiscent of his hometown, and he and four other members of his graduating class signed contracts and relocated to Harford County.

Mr. Osman devoted 40 outstanding years of selfless dedication to students, faculty, staff and the community of HCPS. He taught at Oakington Elementary School (now Roye-Williams Elementary) from 1965 to 1967, Havre de Grace Middle School from 1967 to 1973 and Havre de Grace High School from 1973 to 2005. In addition to teaching, Mr. Osman coached junior varsity wrestling and softball and served as assistant coach of the varsity wrestling team. Mr. Osman founded and sponsored S.M.I.L.E.S. (Service Makes an Individual’s Life Extra Special) and coordinated the CARE-PAIR-SHARE Mentoring Program. He also served as advisor of the sophomore class and junior class, intramural director, drama productions coordinator and was a member of the school improvement team and faculty advisor committee......."   Full Article and Photo Gallery

Over the last nine years, Kristin Schaub has made numerous contributions to the school and community of Havre de Grace Elementary. She began her journey by attending towson Unviersity where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary education and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2004. Ms. Schaub later received her master's degree in instructional technology from Towson University in 2012. She consistently implements cutting-edge approaches to education in order to meet the needs of her title I students. Ms. Schaub also shares her passion for education by serving as a classroom model, a School Improvement Team facilitator and a team leader.

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