Top Maryland teacher candidate continues career in Carroll County; Teachers of Promise recognized

Abigail Walker, who graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors in History and a minor in Secondary Education, was named a Distinguished Teacher Candidate by the Maryland Association of Teacher Educators and plans to continue to teach for Carroll County Public Schools. Additionally, seven Education graduates were named Teachers of Promise by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Abigail Walker MATE Distinguished Teacher Candidate — Abigail Walker of Westminster, Maryland, was named a Distinguished Teacher Candidate by the Maryland Association of Teacher Educators (MATE).

Abigail Walker was named a Distinguished Teacher Candidate by the Maryland Association of Teacher Educators (MATE).

Colleges in Maryland and Washington, D.C., are invited annually to select one exemplary teacher candidate from each institution for this honor.

Walker of Westminster, Maryland, graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors in History and a minor in Secondary Education. She was recognized on dean’s list every semester during her time at the college and achieved President’s List, ranking among the top one percent of the student body.

A founding member of History on the Hill, McDaniel’s History club, she was inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society and Pi Gamma Mu international social sciences honor society.

She also had the opportunity to serve as a long-term substitute at Westminster High School, where she attended high school, and is continuing to teach for Carroll County Public Schools.

“I have absolutely loved this opportunity to jump right into my career,” Walker said.

Education graduates named Teachers of Promise

The Maryland State Department of Education recognized seven Education graduates as Teachers of Promise.

McDaniel’s Teachers of Promise awardees were:

Katelyn Baur of Elkridge, Maryland, an Elementary Education major who graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors in Education. Baur has accepted a position with Carroll County Public Schools and will be teaching third grade at Cranberry Station Elementary School.
Joseph Campbell of Essex, Maryland, an English major with a minor in Secondary Education. Campbell graduated magna cum laude, earning departmental honors in English and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Aleigh Freed of Westminster, Maryland, who graduated cum laude with a major in Elementary Education. She also earned The Joan Develin Coley Award for Excellence in Education. Freed has accepted a position with Carroll County Public Schools.
Madyson Hill of Mount Airy, Maryland, an Elementary Education major who graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors in Education. Hill has accepted a position with Frederick County Public Schools and will be teaching at Ballenger Creek Elementary School.
Victoria McArthur of Columbia, Maryland, an Elementary Education major who graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors in Education. McArthur has accepted a position with Howard County Public Schools.
Paul Steinert of Dundalk, Maryland, an Elementary Education major who graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors in Education. He also earned The Michael and Polly Beaver Award for Excellence in Education. Steinert has accepted a position with Baltimore County Public Schools and will be teaching at Dundalk Elementary School.
Dylan Walker of Hampstead, Maryland, who graduated magna cum laude with a major in Political Science and a minor in Secondary Education.

These students are nominated based on GPA, service, leadership, and their performance during their student teaching semester. Each Teacher of Promise is matched with a veteran teacher to mentor and guide them through their transition from college to the classroom.

They also had the opportunity to participate in a one-day Teachers of Promise Institute, underwritten by the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA), Education Systems, First Financial Federal Credit Union, and sponsors of the Teacher of the Year Program.

Aleigh Freed earned The Joan Develin Coley Award for Excellence in Education.

commencement 2025 — Paul Steinert earned The Michael and Polly Beaver Award for Excellence in Education.