Talbot County Public Schools announced the 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year with a surprise presentation at each winner’s school. The Teacher and Support Staff of the Year Program recognizes outstanding educators who have innovative ideas, focus positive attention on education, and demonstrate superior commitment to students.

The 2021-2022 Talbot Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Lauren Greer. Mrs. Greer earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Gettysburg College and a Master of Arts in Teaching – Secondary Earth Space Science from Towson University. She began her career with Talbot County Public Schools in 2012 as a middle school science teacher at St. Michaels Middle High School. She has since taught a broad spectrum of classes at the middle and high school level, including Environmental Science, Earth Systems, Anatomy and Physiology, Advancement Placement Biology and Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science.

Mrs. Greer has served in many leadership roles on campus. She is an Equity Team leader, co-advisor for the National Technical Honor Society, and chairs the Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) Committee. She has lead St. Michaels Middle High School’s effort to achieve “Green School” status and served as head coach for Junior Varsity Field Hockey for two seasons. She is fully certified as a Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science teacher, has been a curriculum writer for Earth Systems Science and Biology, and has participated in numerous state level conferences as a researcher, attendee, and presenter.

“Lauren Greer is an example of a true educator. She is caring, compassionate, trustworthy, devoted and reflective,” said Theresa Vener, Principal of St. Michaels Middle High School in her nomination statement. “She never stops learning and is not afraid to try new things. She is a master at technology and is always searching for new ways to improve her craft. She genuinely cares for each one of her students and colleagues and works diligently to foster positive relationships.”

Ms. Ayonna Hayman has been chosen as the 2021-2022 Support Staff of the Year.
An alumnus of St. Michaels Middle High School, Ms. Hayman has served as a Media Center Instructional Assistant at St. Michaels Elementary School since 2019. In that role, she creates and executes lessons for students in grades Pre-K through 5 in literature and media. Her work with students extends into the community, as she is also a Dance Teacher at the Perkins Family YMCA and has previously taught dance at the Academy of the Arts. An accomplished photographer, she seeks to “inspire greatness in others” through her work in the arts.

“Ayonna is the definition of ambition, creativity, vision, motivation, and most importantly, heart,” said Kelly Coutts, a St. Michaels Elementary School teacher who nominated Ms. Hayman for this award. “Ayonna takes time to build relationships with each of her students. The students love her and respect her. She goes above and beyond to give each student a voice, to ensure that each student can see themselves represented in the curriculum, and to hold each student to a high level of expectation.”

“I am so excited to see these outstanding members of the TCPS recognized as our 2022 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent. “Mrs. Greer and Ms. Hayman, along with all of this year’s finalists, truly exemplify excellence in education, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”