Seven Maryland public school teachers, including one each from Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, have been named semifinalists in the state Teacher of the Year program.

James J. Wharton, a music teacher at Catonsville High School, PTC Kurt W. Bittle, a visual arts teacher at Bel Air High School, and Debra R. Messer, a research program teacher at Hammond High School, are among those competing for Maryland Teacher of the Year honors. The winner will be announced Oct. 16.

Others named as semifinalists are Rachel Younkers, a social studies teacher from Plum Point Middle School in Calvert County; David Chia, a fourth-grade teacher at Georgian Forest Elementary School in Montgomery County; Carol Corwell-Martin, a third-grade teacher at Salem Avenue Elementary School in Washington County and Susan T. Costanzo, an English/journalism teacher at Stephen Decatur High School in Worcester County.

Pub Date: 9/14/98