MEET SOMERSET INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL!
Somerset Intermediate School is home to the 6th and 7th grade students of Somerset County Public Schools. The school is led by Principal Dr. Terra Taylor, Vice Principal Ms. Vestina Davis, and Dean of Students Ms. Carol Wheeler. Together, they are committed to creating a supportive, engaging, and student-centered learning environment where students can grow and thrive.
SIS Mission Statement:
To provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed for success in the global and technologically complex society in which they will live.
Dr. Taylor's Message:
Welcome to Somerset Intermediate School. I believe that a student-centered approach to learning, data driven instruction, and strong relationships with all stakeholders are the keys to building a strong educational foundation for our students. Our goal is to maintain a positive climate, ensure accountability for realizing high expectations, and provide engaging learning opportunities for all students. As the only middle school in the county, our staff aims to use our educational opportunities to set the trajectory of every student of Somerset County with success for their future. SIS is truly the epitome of all that our #smallbutmighty county has to offer!
SIS 26-27 School Theme:
“Lights! Camera! Growth in Action!” with a play on Hollywood and the red carpet. The focus is using best practices through relationship building, purposeful planning, data-driven strong instructional practices, and community partnerships to continue on our upward trajectory for student and professional growth. Let’s shine a light on all the great things happening at SIS!
As an educator with a true passion for teaching, I have one word that always comes to mind: impact. This word has guided my day-to-day life as a teacher, shaping the relationships I build with my students and the ways I positively impact them through both instruction and personal connections.
When I was given the opportunity to become a National Board Certified Teacher within Somerset County, I knew this was the right next step in my educational journey. Having the opportunity to deepen my knowledge, strengthen my instructional practices, and expand my experience as an educator through National Board Certification has not only helped me tremendously in my teaching, but has also allowed me to better support the individual needs and interests of each learner in my classroom. This past winter, I completed and passed all components and finally saw the “fireworks” that signified my achievement of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher.
I would encourage any educator who is thinking about pursuing National Board Certification to take the leap and do it. This certification has truly been a blessing throughout my educational journey, giving me the opportunity to grow as an educator and take the next step toward creating an even deeper impact for my students. Becoming a National Board Certified Teacher has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I would love to support anyone who is considering taking the next steps toward pursuing this accomplishment as well.
Thank you, Ms. Hoffman, for sharing your story on your journey to become a National Board Certified Teacher.
Are you interested in starting your NBC journey? Please reach out to SCPS Human Resources for more information.
I was inspired to pursue NBC because I knew I wanted to grow as an educator. I knew that the process to become Nationally Board Certified was a lot of work, but I knew that the achievement was going to be something that I could be proud of. I knew that in order to become a NBCT that I would be faced with the challenge of self-reflection
(something that I struggled with). Going through this process allowed me to analyze my
self and my teaching in a way that I had never done before. It changed the way I approached teaching.
Time management was the largest challenge I faced. You sometimes feel as if you have all the time in the world to
complete these components when actually you do not. Keep yourself on a schedule and follow through with it. Realize that you can not do everything and that is okay! I would give myself a checklist to complete both daily and weekly. Something about crossing off the components on my list gave me the satisfaction to continue working hard each
day/week.
Through the NBC process, I learned that in order to be a successful NBCT you have to understand your students. In the second component for Early Childhood, you have to write about your class as a whole, as well as two students in detail. found that I was able to write effortlessly about these things because I built a great classroom
community. I always had thought that I had made great relationships with my students and their parents, but this solidified it!
Becoming a NBCT has allowed me to embrace self-reflection. I learned to look at how I was teaching and shift it to fit each student’s needs. When I am finished with each lesson, I am now more self-aware of which students benefited from the lesson and which students need a different approach to the information presented to them. Becoming a NBCT has also shown me that sometimes the “cute” things we do in the classroom is just that-cute. Becoming a NBCT has allowed me to make my teaching intentional to benefit all students.
Create a community with others who are also pursuing NBC. Once you complete a component or piece of a component, have a colleague read over it. Another piece of advice would be to read the instructions entirely. There is so much to do in certain components that it is easy to miss a “piece of the puzzle”. If you think you understand
what the component is asking of you, read it again just to be sure! Once you are finished with your component, go to the rubric and read it. Make sure you have every single part of that rubric on your work. Most importantly-don’t stress. You have all the tools you need to certify!
Thank you, Mrs. Evans, for sharing your story on your journey to become a National Board Certified Teacher.
Are you interested in starting your NBC journey? Please reach out to SCPS Human Resources for more information.
NBC teacher. Ms. Myresha Bevins, shares her journey! Read all about it!
What inspired me to pursue my National Board Certification was my desire to lead by example. As an educator, I am always encouraging and pushing my students to do better, challenge themselves, and become the best versions of themselves. I realized that I needed to do the same for myself. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone, challenge myself professionally, and prove that I could accomplish something that required dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
One of my biggest challenges throughout the process was making sure I had all the required information and completing everything by the deadlines. At times, the process felt overwhelming because there was so much to keep track of. I overcame this challenge by taking everything one step at a time. Instead of focusing on the entire process at once, I broke it down into smaller pieces and made time management a priority. This helped me stay focused, organized, and committed to reaching my goal.
Throughout this journey, I learned that nothing in life is simply handed to you. If you truly want something, you have to be willing to work hard for it. There were moments when I may have doubted myself, but I continued to push forward. The process taught me the importance of perseverance and reminded me that hard work and determination can help turn a goal into an accomplishment.
Becoming an NBCT has impacted my life both personally and professionally. It has encouraged me to find new and creative ways to challenge my students and inspire them to strive for greatness. At the same time, it has taught me to continue challenging myself, dreaming big, and believing that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
My advice to anyone considering pursuing National Board Certification is simple: never give up. The process may be challenging, and there may be times when you feel like giving up, but keep going. Take it one step at a time, manage your time wisely, and believe in yourself. There truly is a light at the end of the tunnel. Becoming an NBCT showed me that when you are willing to work hard, stay committed, and believe in yourself, you can accomplish goals that once seemed impossible.
Are you interested in becoming a National Board Certified teacher in Somerset? Check out Ms. Tammy Proctor's story...
Becoming a National Board Certified Teacher in inclusive special education was important to me both as an educator and as the mother of a child with special needs. Being a parent has allowed me to experience special education from both sides of the table. I understand how important it is for families to know that their child is seen for their strengths, supported in their areas of need, and given meaningful opportunities to be successful alongside their peers.
Teaching in a rural school district made pursuing National Board Certification even more meaningful. In a rural setting, our classrooms often include students with a wide range of academic abilities, learning needs, backgrounds, and life experiences, while access to additional resources and specialized services may be limited. I wanted to strengthen my own practice so that I could better meet students where they are and provide high-quality instruction without allowing a disability, learning gap, or lack of resources to determine what a child can achieve.
Given any thought to becoming a National Board Certified Teacher? Read about Ms. Anna Breland's journey and why NBC is worth it!
My journey to National Board Certification began years before I uploaded a file for my portfolio or recorded a lesson. During my interview for Somerset County Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2014, I mentioned my dream of one day becoming National Board Certified. At the time it seemed far off, something I’d tackle when the stars aligned.
Life, as it has a habit of doing, took a turn.
Instead of diving headfirst into the world of National Board Certification, I went to school to get my second Master’s degree, I started my baking business, and grew my family.
Fast forward to September 2022. My classroom neighbor stopped by my room to ask one simple question: "Do you want to be my National Board buddy?" Without hesitation, I replied, "Sure!"
I had no idea that a simple, "sure" would launch me into one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my professional life. Eager to get the ball rolling, I jumped right in and signed up for all four NB components at once!! I thought it would be much like getting a degree - log in, do your work, submit, move on. Oh, how naive I was!!
National Board Certification required me to do so much more!
It demanded that I reflect, be vulnerable, be intentional, and push myself analytically like never before. At the same time, life did not slow down. I continued teaching my students with the same passion and commitment I always had. I was raising three children, growing my baking business, and balancing countless responsibilities at home and at school. There were long nights, early mornings, moments of doubt, and times when I wondered how I would fit it all in. I spent my fair share of late nights, early mornings, time in tears, but I stayed my course... The process asked me to dissect every aspect of my teaching. I was blessed to have the most supportive
Why did I make this choice? What impact did that choice have on student learning?
I uncovered strengths that I had perhaps not yet fully realized and areas that needed and would continue to benefit from growth. I became more intentional, more reflective, and ultimately, a better teacher.
And then it was December 9, 2023 and I saw them - fireworks!
I was officially National Board Certified in World Languages. Dream. Come. True!
While the certification is an amazing honor in and of itself, the journey I traveled to get there was the true gift. National Board Certification not only has changed how I think about teaching and learning, it has reignited my love for this profession, made me a stronger and more deliberate educator, and reinforced my belief that no matter how many years we spend in the classroom, there is always more to discover and explore.
The dream that started as something I expressed during an interview back in 2014 became a reality just shy of a decade later. In hindsight, every detour, every stumbling block, and every bit of growth I experienced throughout my journey has been a lesson learned and an integral piece of the educator I am today. Standing beside fellow National Board Certified Teachers, Professional Learning Facilitators, Ambassadors, and Lead Teachers, I proudly carry with me the dream I dared to share so long ago.
My advice to those considering National Board Certification - DO IT! Sign up, persevere, grow as an educator, learn, reflect, and reignite your passion for teaching!
Interested in National Board Certification In Somerset County Public Schools? Go For It! Read Ms. Amanda Lankford's story!
I have been saying I was going to pursue National Board Certification "one of these days" for years. When Maryland and SCPS began covering the cost of submitting the portfolios, I decided I had run out of excuses and it was time to do it.
I have always known that I didn't want to become an administrator. I love teaching. I love working with students every day, and I wanted to find a way to continue my professional growth without leaving the classroom. National Board Certification made that possible. Now, with the Lead and Distinguished Teacher positions on the new career ladder, I can stay where I love being while also working with and supporting other teachers. It's exactly what I have always wanted to do!
My biggest obstacle was honestly me. I'm a procrastinator. At first, the directions felt so vague that I wasn't even sure where to begin. I kept waiting until I understood it better, when what I really needed to do was just start. Once I dug into the components, everything began to make sense.
The biggest lesson I learned came from Component 4. Having to use evidence to show how I was meeting my students' needs forced me to become much more intentional about setting specific, measurable goals based on the kids sitting in my classroom, not just what objective I was planning to teach. It changed the way I think about instruction and made me a better teacher.
National Board Certification has also given me confidence in ways I didn't expect. It's rewarding when other teachers come to me for ideas or ask me to mentor them because they recognize the work and reflection that earning this certification represents. It's nice to be viewed as an expert, but even more importantly, I know I'm a better teacher today than I was before I started the process.
If you're thinking about pursuing National Board Certification, my advice is just do it. Don't let the uncertainty at the beginning keep you from getting started. The process will challenge you, and help you discover both your strengths and the areas where you can grow. You'll come out a stronger and better educator.
Seeing those fireworks when the scores were released was one of the best professional moments of my career. I won't pretend that my first paycheck with the National Board salary increase wasn't pretty exciting too! But the greatest reward has been knowing that I became the teacher my students deserve and that I can now help other teachers along that same journey.
-Ms. Amanda Lankford
-SCPS Lead Teacher
Superintendent W. David Bromwell will be hosting a series of community forums this April to share updates on the FY27 operating budget, the school system’s structure, and how our work is aligning with the Maryland Blueprint for Education.
These sessions are a chance to hear directly from system leadership, learn more about how decisions are being made, and ask questions.
📍 Dates & Locations:
• Greenwood Elementary School
🗓️ Monday, April 20 | 🕔 5:00 PM
• Deal Island Elementary School
🗓️ Wednesday, April 22 | 🕔 5:00 PM
• Carter G. Woodson Elementary School
🗓️ Thursday, April 23 | 🕔 5:00 PM
All SCPS families, staff, and community members are encouraged to attend.
We hope you’ll join us for these conversations as we continue planning for the upcoming school year and working to support our students.
We wish Ms. Bevins and all Somerset Teacher of the Year finalists the best of luck. The Elementary, Secondary, and overall Somerset Teacher of the Year will be announced at the 2026–2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2026.
Preparing students for careers in science and healthcare, Ms. Angelisa Hosfield brings real-world relevance into the Biomedical Sciences classroom at Somerset County Technical High School. As the school’s 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year candidate, she leads hands-on learning experiences that connect directly to future opportunities.
We wish Ms. Hosfield and all Somerset Teacher of the Year finalists the best of luck. The Elementary, Secondary, and overall Somerset Teacher of the Year will be announced at the 2026–2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2026.
In Sarah Mister’s classroom at Somerset Intermediate School, her 6th grade students are building both math skills and confidence. A 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year candidate, she emphasizes problem-solving and plays an active role in supporting a positive school climate.
We wish Ms. Mister and all Somerset Teacher of the Year finalists the best of luck. The Elementary, Secondary, and overall Somerset Teacher of the Year will be announced at the 2026–2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2026.
We wish Mrs. Asano and all Somerset Teacher of the Year finalists the best of luck. The Elementary, Secondary, and overall Somerset Teacher of the Year will be announced at the 2026–2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2026.
2026-2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year candidate, Ms. Susan Finlayson, brings learning to life in her first grade classroom at Princess Anne Elementary through hands-on experiences, including outdoor science in the Monarch Waystation Garden. .
We wish Ms. Finlayson and all Somerset Teacher of the Year finalists the best of luck. The Elementary, Secondary, and overall Somerset Teacher of the Year will be announced at the 2026–2027 Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2026.
