EASTON, MARYLAND — Maryland’s Teacher of the Year short list is out. Talbot is not on it. Two Mid-Shore systems are.

The Maryland State Department of Education and the State Board of Education announced Sept. 3, 2026, seven local-system finalists for 2027 Maryland Teacher of the Year. The Mid-Shore names are Alice Tickler of Queen Anne’s County Public Schools, a National Board Certified first-grade teacher and literacy leader at Church Hill Elementary School, and Dr. Chelsea Taylor of Wicomico County Public Schools, a tenth-grade English teacher, literacy coach, and instructional leadership team co-chair at James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury. No Talbot County Public Schools teacher appears on the seven-name list.

The other finalists are Alison Benkovic, Baltimore County; Emily Brynes, Carroll County; Michael James, Harford County; Kacy Valentine, Howard County; and Clara Allsup, Prince George’s County. MSDE says the finalists were chosen from the 24 local school system teachers of the year. The statewide winner will be announced Friday, Oct. 9, at a gala at Martin’s Valley Mansion in Cockeysville and will compete later for National Teacher of the Year.

What “finalist” means here. It is a recognition step on MSDE’s statewide short list. The selection criteria listed are student achievement, teaching philosophy, academic results, community involvement, and knowledge of educational issues. MSDE’s release does not publish classroom “proficient” rates for these teachers.