ROCKVILLE, MD—Kimberly Oliver, kindergarten teacher at Broad Acres Elementary School, has been named Maryland Teacher of the Year. Each of the 24 Maryland school jurisdictions selects an outstanding teacher to compete for the award. Oliver was one of seven finalists selected by the Maryland State Department of Education. Finalists were interviewed by a panel of judges as a part of the final selection process. Announcement of the winner was made at a dinner and reception at Martin’s West on October 7, 2005.

"It only takes about five minutes watching Kimberly teach her kindergartners to realize why she deserves this high honor. She connects with her students and gets them excited about learning each and every day," said Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of schools. "We are so proud of her and the work she has done to help the students at Broad Acres succeed."

Oliver is credited with having a major role in the instructional design of the restructuring of Broad Acres. As a result of declining test scores, Montgomery County Public Schools worked to restructure Broad Acres internally beginning with the 2001-2002 school year. As a kindergarten teacher and team leader, and in additional leadership positions, including serving as a mentor, training new teachers at New Educator Orientation, and modeling teaching lessons that explored options for differentiation, Oliver was recognized as always one of the first teachers to offer to help. At the end of the third year of the restructuring, Broad Acres students achieved Adequate Yearly Progress, meeting or exceeding all requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act for the 2003 and 2004 school years.

Oliver has achieved certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Through her leadership in professional development, she has encouraged other teachers at Broad Acres pursuing certification. A graduate of Hampton University, with a M.Ed. in elementary education from Wilmington College, Oliver has been a kindergarten teacher at Broad Acres since 2000.



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