Washington County Teacher of the Year thanks principal for 'taking the chance on me'

When Salem Avenue Elementary teacher Raymond Weber approached the podium Wednesday night after being named the 2023-2024 Washington County Teacher of the Year, he said he didn't have any jokes in the speech he wrote the previous night.

But he got a lot of laughs midway through his speech at the Fountain Head Country Club when, while thanking administrators and supervisors for their guidance and opportunities to "grow as an educator," he specifically noted Principal Tom Garner — who told Weber when he was hired that he was Garner's "second choice."

"I appreciate you taking the chance on me," said Weber, 36, of Falling Waters, W.Va.

After the ceremony, Garner said, "It was meant to be."

"He was also my best pick. Everything happens for a reason. I like to be proven wrong by my teachers and this works out well," said Garner, grinning from ear to ear.

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Garner said the fifth-grade teacher "defends his kids to the end. He loves them so much, he asks a lot out of them and that's what counts."

Weber's father, Art, said Raymond "wasn't given everything as a kid. He had to earn it. He paid for his own college education."

Raymond Weber said he got a job young and saved up to pay for college out of pocket. That included being a server at the Outback Steakhouse in Martinsburg, W.Va., and later at the Olive Garden when it opened in Halfway.

Art and Jill Weber said their son had perfect attendance as an elementary student, going to school even when he was sick.

"He's very self-motivated," Art Weber said.

"I was just so proud and so happy for him. We think he deserves it, of course," Jill Weber said.

Weber was nominated for teacher of the year by Salem Avenue Elementary parent Shakeela Awan, Washington County Public Schools spokesperson Erin Anderson said.

According to Anderson, Awan wrote in the nomination form, "All three of my kids have been in Mr. Weber's fifth-grade class and he has instilled so much confidence in them and prepared them for their future. Mr. Weber cares about his students so much and deserves the Teacher of the Year award."

Weber reacts to the honor

"It was definitely overwhelming," Weber said of the moment his name was announced during the ceremony, which was hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

He told the crowd in Fountain Head's ballroom that the award is "not just a recognition of my teaching, but also a testimony to the support and encouragement I have received through my teaching career and throughout my life."

"To my incredible family, thank you for being my best friends, my biggest supporters throughout my entire life. You have always provided me a safe and supportive environment that has aided me in developing a strong sense of self and confidence in my abilities, which has allowed me to develop the same environment in my classroom," he said.

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"I have been privileged to work alongside many extraordinary educators. And I am a reflection of their passion, character and strength," Weber said.

Weber told the crowd he was especially grateful to his sounding board, Rebecca Bland, who retired last year from teaching fifth-grade at Salem Avenue. Weber thanked her "for bestowing her wisdom upon me and being the perfect model of a caring, compassionate and dedicated teacher."

Bland, who taught for WCPS for 27 years, said of Weber: "No one deserves it more. He is amazing."

After his speech, Weber said he was excited to share the news with his students on Thursday morning.

He teaches math and English Language Arts to a class of about 18 fifth-graders, and another math class to a similar-sized group.

Weber said he's been a WCPS teacher for 13 years, all at Salem Avenue Elementary in Hagerstown's West End.

A 2004 Hedgesville High School graduate, Weber said he was a student-teacher at Frederick County Public Schools in Virginia and applied for teaching jobs in the region to stay in the area.

He earned his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Shepherd University and his master's in instructional design and technology from West Virginia University.

What does the teacher of the year receive?

The main sponsor is Hagerstown Honda/Hagerstown Kia, which lends the winner a vehicle for a year. This year, Weber had the option of a Honda Accord or a Kia Sorento Hybrid. He said he was leaning toward the Sorento, a sport utility vehicle, as he has only driven SUVs.

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WCPS gives the winner $5,000, in addition to the $1,000 each of the finalists gets, according to Anderson. That money must be used for resources in the teachers' classrooms, she wrote in an email.

The chamber arranges other prizes, Anderson wrote. This year the prize package includes free Chick-fil-A for a year.

Who were the other Teacher of the Year finalists?

The other finalists for the 2023-2024 Washington County Teacher of the Year were:

• Amy Deeds, a health education teacher at South Hagerstown High School

• Kimberlie Grabenstein, a fourth- and fifth-grade STEM magnet teacher at Williamsport Elementary School

• Erin Orth, a third-grade teacher at Fountaindale Elementary School in Hagerstown's North End

• Erika Osborne, a chorus teacher at Springfield Middle School in Williamsport

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Teacher of the year thanks principal, who hired him as his 2nd choice