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Howard County Public School System Names 2017 Principal and Teacher of the Year

February 2nd, 2017

Running Brook Elementary School Principal and Applications and Research Laboratory Teacher Selected

The Howard County Public School System today announced its 2017 Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year. Running Brook Elementary School Principal Troy Todd and Applications and Research Laboratory teacher Maddy Halbach were awarded the honors, respectively. Both will serve as the Howard County nominees for the Washington Post Principal and Teacher of the Year. Halbach additionally will be the Howard County nominee for Maryland State Teacher of the Year.

“The contributions made by two excellent educators, who are committed to supporting their students’ success, help prepare our students for the future and build bridges to the community,” said HCPSS Superintendent Renee A. Foose. “It is a testament to the growing recognition of the quality of our teachers and leaders that we had more than twice as many nominations as last year. I am delighted that these extraordinary people are being recognized this year.”

Troy Todd has been the principal of Running Brook Elementary School since 2008. He has served the Howard County Public School System for over 20 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.

Todd is being recognized for his exemplary leadership and for building a positive school environment that creates a real sense of community. Todd has taken on the exciting challenge of the Elementary School Model to propel students at Running Brook Elementary School to academic and social success.

In her nomination letter, Running Brook Math Support Teacher Kristen Mangus stated that Principal Todd, “demonstrates dedication and caring for our school’s children, staff and community by working hard to build positive relationships.”

Troy Todd principal of the year in gymnasium surrounded by students and staff
Troy Todd, Principal of the Year, Running Brook Elementary School

Maddy Halbach has been a teacher in Howard County for 14 years and an Academy of Finance instructor at the Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL) since 2007. Her student-centric approach has had a powerful impact on her students.

In describing Halbach, Sharon Kramer, Career and Technology Education coordinator at ARL, says, “She empowers her students to be responsible for their own learning.”

Called “one of the finest teachers I have had the pleasure of working under” by one of her former students, Halbach is being honored for helping high school students become aware of financial literacy through personal passion and high academic standards.

Maddie Halbach Teacher of the Year group photo with students
Maddy Halbach, Teacher of the Year, Applications and Research Laboratory

Additional nominees for Principal of the Year were:

Additional nominees for Teacher of the Year were: