A Harford County teacher has been recognized on the state level.
In late April, vocal teacher Christian Slattery was named the 2011-12 Harford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year at a banquet for finalists. As the Harford County Teacher of the Year, Slattery, of Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School in Aberdeen, was entered into the state competition.
Slattery has been named one of the seven finalists for the 2012 Maryland Teacher of the Year competition, the school system announced Thursday.
The next step for Slattery, according to the release, is an oral interview on Sept. 24 with the Maryland State Department of Education. Their decision will be announced at a state gala reception on Oct. 14 and the winner will receive awards including cash, technology equipment, a new car and opportunities to travel.
Following the Maryland title, if selected as the winner, Slattery will then proceed to the national competition, with a winner announced in April 2011, according to the release.
Slattery, who has been teaching music at Hall's Cross Roads for the past nine years, is no stranger to recognition, having received the National Milken Educator Award in 2008, with only 80 other teachers that year.
His dedication to music and students was evident in an interview with The Aegis in May, as the teacher described his own experiences having to teach himself music because his elementary school didn't have a music program.
"It was my own passion for music and not having that program when I was little that really inspired me to go into teaching younger students my love and passion," he said then. "I have lots of students who are like me, who are always moving, tapping, they learn that way."