NORTH HARFORD HIGH SCHOOL
211 PYLESVILLE ROAD, PYLESVILLE, MD 21132
410-638-3650
VOLUME 43 ISSUE 6
FEBRUARY 25, 2022
Teacher of the Year nominees narrowed down HANNAH KRIZEK Op/Ed Editor Nominees for the 2022 Teacher of the Year Award have since been narrowed down to 5In the North Harford community, eighth grade teacher Mr. George Curry, along with fourth grade teacher Mrs. Jennifer Covert had advanced to the top 10, but were not selected to move forward into the final 5. Both say they are so grateful for the opportunity and Covert and Curry both said they felt similar feelings of shock after learning of their nominations.. Covert added, “I could not believe how thoughtful they were to nominate me for such an honor. It just made me smile and feel really good inside!” Curry has a similar reaction. “It took a few minutes to sink in. It is still surreal in some ways,” the social studies teacher said. In the beginning of the process, letters are written by the nominators about these teachers. Curry was nominated by several
individuals including Joseph UcCurry adds he hopes students, together as a team to help the ciferro, a student from last year “Never, EVER allow a number or whole child, we will meet with and his mother, Dr. Wickman letter on a piece of paper or com- greater success,” as a message to (NHMS Principal), Lori Frendak puter screen to define who [they] her coworkers, along with any (retired co-worker and former are or [their] success. It can nev- parent of a student enduring an Teacher of the Year), and Tamara er truly measure your effort and education. Rush (parent of HCPS graduates growth. It’s only one part of the Curry talks about how he hopes and former Board of Education bigger pic- for his coworkers to view him representative for North Harsaying, “I hope they would say I ford). am a hard worker that always “I do not just care Covert said her nomination tries to do whatever I can for about helping my stucame from “Melanie Kane my students and fellow from Harford Glen Eneducators.” dents become better mathemavironmental Education If he wins, Curry ticians and readers, I aim to help Center and Sarah Guy, said he would tie his the school counselor here them build confidence, desire to hear achievement in with at North Harford Eleabout their extra-curricular activ- the military. “I would mentary School.” like to start an initiaities, and be there for them when Both Curry and Covert tive to recruit and eduare veteran educators. “I cate veterans to become they lose a pet or another loved do not just care about helpteachers. The military is one,” -Jennifer Covert, ing my students become beta constant cycle of learnNHES teacher ter mathematicians and readers, ing and teaching. They have I aim to help them build confiall the skills needed to be great dence, desire to hear about their teachers and can be a positive inextra-curricular activities, and be ture.” fluence on students. It’s not what there for them when they lose a Covert says, “We all have days you see on TV and in movies,” he pet or another loved one,” Covert that are more overwhelming than says, being a former veteran himsays. others. However, if we work self.
Covert said she already feels like a winner but if she gets the top prize, she would use it to help with certain initiatives regarding the school system. She said, “students' mental health and well being have risen to the top of the ladder of importance. I would love to have more supports in place for students (and faculty, too!) As they navigate mental health concerns.” Curry states his teaching philosophy is “Keep trying-never quit. Rule #1 in my class: Try. Try again. Keep trying. Don’t stop, keep trying. Don’t quit, you got this. Because amazing things can and will happen when you try.” Similarly, Covert’s philosophy is that “a child cannot learn as well if they are hungry, feel unsafe, feel unloved, or like they do not belong. Much of what I aspire to do is to lead with love and to make each child feel important.” She continues to say, “NHEM is a family, and it is my joy and honor to be here everyday.”
NHHS celebrates agricultural education;
FFA week features opportunities for students NOEL BAILEY Reporter From February 22-25, students and staff celebrated FFA week. According to organizers, the week was used to teach about education and opportunities in the agriculture industry, as well as to develop leadership skills. FFA is a national organization that is also in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are 735, 038 national FFA members. 120 of them are at North Harford. Erika Edwards, one of the FFA leaders and agriculture teacher at the Nest, says the organization wants to let people know that there is a misconception that they are just known as the Future Farmers of America. FFA is also “open to all as the National FFA [and] the organization focuses on leadership in all fields,” says Edwards. Edwards said the organization wants to “showcase that [the] FFA focuses on building their knowledge and skills for careers in agriculture and not just farming.” The organization has several areas in which students can get involved including community service, fundraising, agriculture
club, and social committees. Each one had a different part of FFA week that they had to plan and work with. Among the people involved with planning this event are FFA president Bev Bigelow, as well as committee chairs and seniors Teagan Flaherty, Zach Wyatt, Malinah Jerscheid, as well as sophomores James Ortt, and Mia Coleman, who is leading the humane society donation drive. To generate enthusiasm about the week, the officers of FFA decorated each other's lockers with a magnet emblem. The members also
wore spirit week clothes featuring themes like America, careers in agriculture, FFA pride, and FFA jackets. These days helped
“promote [the program] in a positive way,” says Edwards. They also have recruited middle schoolers to join them, by
making goodie bags and sending them to the middle schoolers. FFA members also had teacher appreciation day where they gave out gifts to teachers who have been their biggest supporters. They also went to Tractor Supply to sell paper emblems that people could add to their purchases. The week also had certain celebrations for the FFA members to participate in including FFA trivia, taking a picture with an FFA officer, sharing favorite advisor quotes, and favorite FFA memory. Wyatt has been a part of the club since his freshman year of high school. He said he was most
excited about being “more involved with our members” since this year was the first year they have had FFA week in person. Wyatt is a part of the plant science for FFA. “FFA also opens up opportunities for kids to explore career areas outside of their ag[riculture] class,” says Edwards. Students can be taking floral design classes at school but can be focusing on animal science for FFA. The students who are a part of FFA stay after school and study the path that they are on for career development. The career development classes they have this year are nursery landscape, floriculture, vet science, meat evaluation, and public speaking. There are three advisors of the North Harford FFA chapter including Edwards, Mrs. Aimee Densmore, and Ms. Hannah Schantz. They are all co-advisors; they each “take on their different roles,” says Edwards. Densmore collects all membership dues, Edwards takes the lead with their fundraising this year. Schantz is an alumna of North Harford who was also an FFA member and a state officer for FFA.