Semifinalists have been announced for the 2026 Rising Star Award for outstanding second-year teachers. These 16 semifinalists were invited to submit a video for a chance to win this prestigious award – and the $1,000 that comes with it – from education advocates Bill and Teresa McCain.
Following the judging of the videos, three teachers will be named the Rising Star finalists. They will attend the Wicomico Teacher of the Year Celebration with a guest on Thursday, April 9th at Venue 54, where the 2026 Rising Star Award winner will be named.
Congratulations to the semifinalists for the 2026 Rising Star Award. In alphabetical order:
Zachary Adams, Physical Education & Health, Glen Avenue Elementary
Joy Bradshaw, Prekindergarten, Beaver Run Elementary
Ayonna Brunson, Math, Salisbury Middle
Zachary Buckley, Science, Bennett Middle
Justin Conklin, Computer Education, James M. Bennett High
Violet Davis, Prekindergarten, West Salisbury Elementary
Trinity Parker, 5th Grade, East Salisbury Elementary
Shawntel Polk, Special Education, East Salisbury Elementary
Avery Riel, 4th Grade, Delmar Elementary
Kayli Shaw, 1st Grade, Fruitland Primary
Jennifer Thompson, 4th Grade, Pemberton Elementary
Leslie Twining, Health Education, Bennett Middle
SeVonne Whittington, Kindergarten, Charles H. Chipman Elementary
Carolyn Wilkins, 1st Grade, Prince Street Elementary
Amanda Willink, 2nd Grade, Pinehurst Elementary
Rachel Wood, Kindergarten, Westside Primary
Sixty-nine eligible second-year teachers were scored by the principal and a supervisor of assistant principal. The teachers with the top 16 scores moved on to the next round as semifinalists. In this final round, the semifinalists submitted a 90-second video in answer to a prompt.