Debbie Sparby
I am an AACPS: Science Teacher, Severna Park Middle School | 2017 Teacher of the Year Nominee
People arrive at their destination based on a compilation of all their experiences in life. While my resume may speak to my collaborations and pursuit of perfecting my craft, I would not be who I am without you knowing that it was a combination of personal and professional endeavors that made it evident that the profession of teaching is my purpose. I was adopted at birth and have grown up with the philosophy that I am lucky to be here and that God had a reason that I was. I always loved Science in school, and thought I would go into the research or health care profession. I am the first child in my family to go to college and luck, and lack of money, initially got me in the classroom as a substitute teacher to pay for college. I immediately chose my major, graduated with honors, and taught at Folger for two years. Something was pulling me back to pursuit of the health care industry, so I returned to college to study medicine, but with a family, had to work as well. I was hired as the first female Industrial Salesperson at Tate Andale and loved traveling the country working with engineers. I became their number one salesperson, and I loved my work, but traveling was too difficult with a family. The decision to return to teaching and focus in Science actually seemed almost like my destiny. I don’t know why former AACPS Interim Superintendent (2005-2006) Nancy Mann remembered observing me, but she walked my application to HR and I was hired at SPMS the following week for the upcoming school year. Without leaving teaching, I would not have as much real world scientific knowledge or such a sense of belonging in the classroom. That passion led me to pursue every program possible to acquire more effective teaching practices and increased first-hand collaboration with scientists in the real world to bring back these wonderful opportunities to enhance student experiences.
