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Updated: May 8, 2024 @ 4:27 am
Frederick County Middle School Instructional Technology Coach Debbie Martin (right) gets a congratulatory hug Tuesday from Jodi Zeis, supervisor of instructional technology for Frederick County Public Schools, after she was named 2024 Educator of the Year by Discovery Education. Martin is one of five teachers nationwide to receive the honor and one of two teachers in Virginia to win. Zeis nominated Martin for the award. Discovery Education is a provider of comprehensive K-12 curriculum resources. At right is Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent George Hummer.
Frederick County Middle School Instructional Technology Coach Debbie Martin holds her 2024 Educator of the Year Award presented to her by Christian Avalos of Discovery Education on Tuesday at the school.
Frederick County Middle School Instructional Technology Coach Debbie Martin (right) gets a congratulatory hug Tuesday from Jodi Zeis, supervisor of instructional technology for Frederick County Public Schools, after she was named 2024 Educator of the Year by Discovery Education. Martin is one of five teachers nationwide to receive the honor and one of two teachers in Virginia to win. Zeis nominated Martin for the award. Discovery Education is a provider of comprehensive K-12 curriculum resources. At right is Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent George Hummer.
Frederick County Middle School Instructional Technology Coach Debbie Martin holds her 2024 Educator of the Year Award presented to her by Christian Avalos of Discovery Education on Tuesday at the school.
A Frederick County Public Schools teacher was one of five educators nationwide to be named a Discovery Education Educator of the Year on Tuesday.
Debbie Martin, an instructional technology coach at Frederick County Middle School, is the one of two teachers in Virginia to receive the award in its inaugural year. The other is Frank Bogden, an instructional facilitator of technology for Loudoun County Public Schools.
“I don’t know why, but I just have always felt this special attachment to Discovery because, you know, they have such fantastic people that work there, and over the years, so many nice people have been in different positions and have interacted,” Martin said. “So I think that a company that has been special to me is saying back to me, ‘Well, you’re special to us.’”
Discovery Education provides digital media classroom resources like podcasts, science experiments, videos, electronic investigations, articles and more. They also have their own “tech books,” offer virtual field trips and curate professional development opportunities for teachers.
Throughout her career, Martin says she’s embraced these tools in her classroom, and has helped other teachers to do to same. This is what made her a candidate for the Discovery Educator of the Year Award, which is meant to honor educators who spark curiosity in their students and help them to enjoy learning.
“Debbie has relationships with teachers and students that just is so trusting,” said FCPS Supervisor of Instructional Technology Coaches Jodi Zeis, who nominated Martin for the award. “And teachers know that she’s committed to their growth and the growth of her students. And she just has that connection that makes her a natural fit to really elevate the level of teaching and learning that happens here at this school. And I knew that when I saw this opportunity, she was somebody that needed to be nominated.”
The recognition also comes at a pivotal point in Martin’s career. After teaching in Frederick County for 28 years, 21 of which were spent at FCMS, she’s decided to retire at the end of this school year.
“I did not mention in the application at all that she was retiring,” Zeis said. “… I wanted her value and her skills to be reflected in that application.”
However, the fact that Martin is retiring does add another special layer to winning the award. It’s validating, she said — a testament that she has been doing right by her students all these years.
“This has been the best job,” she said. “I have been so, so fortunate to have this position. Just so blessed to work with the people I have worked with. This has been, to me, a fantastic school division to be in. So many wonderful people through the years. And I have loved it.”
Going forward, Martin is looking forward to spending time with her five grandchildren. But she said she hopes to impart some of her knowledge and memories on those who remain at FCMS before she retires.
She remembers the school’s former location and has a deep knowledge of the new building, like the features which were meant to be integrated into curricula, the fun facts and the traditions.
“I’m afraid that as older teachers leave, that history will get lost,” she said. “But I hope it doesn’t. I hope that we are good at telling the stories and that other people are good at listening to them and retelling them.”
Now, as Martin’s final school year winds down, one responsibility remains: finding the perfect spot for the shiny, glass trophy in her home office.
For more information about the Discovery Education Awards, visit https://www.discoveryeducation.com/details/districts-schools-and-educators-nationwide-honored-as-the-inaugural-winners-of-the-discovery-education-awards/.
— Contact Molly Williams at mwilliams@winchesterstar.com
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