Shelby Hultquist, a special education teacher at Havre de Grace Elementary School, has been named Harford County’s Teacher of the Year.
Hultquist, who grew up on a dairy farm in the county, is in her ninth year of teaching. She was chosen for the honor from among 54 nominees from each school across the county.
Harford County Superintendent Sean Bulson said Hultquist exemplifies the best within the school system.
“Her unwavering dedication to her students, her innovative approach to teaching, and her passion for education are truly inspiring,” he said in an emailed statement. “Shelby reminds us all of the profound impact one teacher can have on a school, a community and the future.”
Hultquist describes herself as a chameleon, according to Havre de Grace Elementary School Principal Jennifer Gasdia, as she works to give each student or teacher exactly what they need to succeed by meeting them where they are.
“She’s one of the most humble people you’d ever meet,” Gasdia said. “She is someone who advocates for teachers and wants to be the voice of teachers. She has said … she wanted to be that voice at the table when decisions are made or just advocating for teachers, for kids and public education in general.”
Gasdia said Hultquist’s heart of service is her strongest characteristic, as she’s always pushing to do things that she feels are in the best interest of students.
“She always walks into every opportunity to help a kiddo grow or help a kiddo learn with trying to figure out where they are and how she can take them to the next level,” she said.
Hultquist serves as chair for the school’s special education team, is a member of the school’s Performance and Achievement Team and has coached a nonprofit lacrosse team for the last eight years.
She was recognized by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce this week with the Harford Chamber Education Foundation’s Apple Award at its annual Education and Scholarship breakfast.
In Hultquist’s address to attendees, she communicated a message of learning from experiences and mistakes and to continue pushing through.
“Solutions don’t come from complaining, they come from doing,” she said during her speech.
Some other educators recognized at the breakfast included the county’s Principal of the Year, Melissa Williams of Joppatowne High School.
With the county’s Teacher of the Year recognition, Hultquist will be added to a list of 24 teachers from across the state competing for Maryland Teacher of the Year. The statewide winner will be announced during a live ceremony in October.
“She is such a light in our profession,” Gasdia said. “So, just having her be a voice for education, having someone who represents educators today has been so impactful for all of us.”
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