Windsor Knolls Middle science teacher Nicole Rhoades was named the 2023-24 Frederick County Public Schools Teacher of the Year this morning at a surprise ceremony attended by students, teachers, administrators and community and education leaders.
Rhoades is the sixth FCPS middle school teacher to be named Teacher of the Year and the first from Windsor Knolls Middle, where she has taught grades 7 and 8 science for 13 years.
At Windsor Knolls, Rhoades organized the first schoolwide science fair, planned a career day for science, technology, engineering and math professions, and developed full-day experiences for students in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
“Ms. Rhoades believes that every student, regardless of background, can succeed in science classrooms,” FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson said. “She is always looking for new ways to support students and develop classroom strategies that support middle school teachers throughout FCPS.”
After achieving National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Science in 2013, she served as a coach for others pursuing this certification. She believes in the value of professional development for educators and has shared lesson plans and sessions for other teachers in the county.
Prior to joining the Windsor Knolls Middle faculty, Rhoades taught in Baltimore County and conducted biomedical research at Johns Hopkins Medical Research. Her first teaching position with FCPS was at Walkersville Middle. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in biology from Salisbury University.
Rhoades has earned several honors in her teaching career, including an Excellence in Gifted & Talented Education award. She is also a past nominee for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Teacher of the Year is the most prestigious honor bestowed upon an FCPS educator. She will be the FCPS nominee in the Maryland State Teacher of the Year program.
Rhoades was grateful to receive gifts from community partners supporting the FCPS Teacher of the Year, including Dynamic Automotive, FERKO Maryland Federal Credit Union and Educational Systems Federal Credit Union.
All FCPS schools were eligible to name a School-level Teacher of the Year. A list of 2023 nominees and their photos are online at www.fcps.org/toy, as are details about the FCPS Teacher of the Year program.