Meade High’s Jing Dai named Teacher of the Year
With Anne Arundel County award, she’s up for state honor
Meade High School Chinese language teacher Jing Dai was named the Anne Arundel County Public Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year on Thursday night.
Principal Frederick Rivers said Dai creates an environment where students can feel supported while learning entirely in Chinese. She teaches everything from introductory Chinese to Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme courses.
“Walking into her classroom is like walking into an educational adventure where no two days are ever the same,” Rivers said.
Dai has taught with the school system for nine years and is in her second year teaching at Meade.
“This award really belongs to all the teachers in AACPS and it belongs to all the teachers at Meade High School,” Dai said in a statement provided by the school system. Jennifer Quinn, Meade High School’s International Baccalaureate coordinator, wrote when nominating Dai that she shows “unparalleled dedication to the students in the Chinese program not just at Meade, but at other schools as well.”
Jenna Lerro, coordinator of the Middle Years Program, said students might come to Chinese class in a bad mood, but by the time they leave they feel better.
“She really does brighten up a room,” Lerro said.
Meade Senior Hope Terrell said Dai keeps students engaged during online learning.
“She does everything within her power that she can do while we’re all on this special platform,” Terrell said.
This is the second year the Excellence in Education Awards were held virtually because of COVID-19. In February, teachers were asked to return to physical classrooms after teaching remotely since March of 2020.
Hybrid learning started for large groups of students in March of 2021. Teachers have needed to adjust again and teach virtually to online learners and in-person to hybrid learners at the same time.
Student Board Member Drake Smith said this past year has been an unexpected chal
lenge that teachers have met.
“Our teachers not only fill our minds with knowledge, they fill out hearts with hope,” Smith said.
Dai will now be considered for 2021-2022 Maryland Teacher of the Year award this fall.
Other finalists for the award who were recognized during the ceremony include: Kellie Goforth, an AVID teacher at North County High, Sarah Rippeon, a language arts teacher at Crofton Middle, Jessica Scanlon, a first grade teacher at Glendale Elementary and Timothy Stedman, a physical education teacher at Crofton High.
St. Mary’s High School’s English Department Chair Myles Healy won the Independent Schools Teacher of the Year award. Healy teaches British Literature, AP English Literature, and Cinematic Art. Jacquelyn Touhey, a third grader teacher at Rockbridge Academy, was a finalist for the Independent Schools award.
“The thing that makes Mr. Healy special is the way he cares not only about his students but the community of St. Mary’s in general,” St. Mary’s student Reagan said in a video recorded for the award ceremony.