For only the second time, a Maryland teacher has been named the National Teacher of the Year. Michelle Shearer, a chemistry teacher, at Urbana High School in Frederick County was honored yesterday by President Obama at a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House.

The photograph here is on the Frederick County school system website. We would like to hear from Shearer's students, who I believe may have taken the Advanced Placement chemistry exam a couple days ago. Give us some examples of why you like your teacher or why she has inspired you to do your best.

And since this is Teacher Appreciation Week, I would encourage any other students in the region  to weigh in with stories of great teachers who have changed their lives. Please take the time to post a comment here. It is nearly the end of the year, a good time, particularly for graduating seniors, to look back and give a shout out to some of their best teachers.