Willards Elementary teacher receives this months “Teacher Who Makes A Difference Award”

SALISBURY, Md. — Willards Elementary School received a special visit from WMDT today for this month’s nominee for Teachers Who Make a Difference, sponsored by Pam Price.

Willards Elementary School second grade teacher Jeff Thamert said, “Thank you to whoever sent it in. I don’t really like having the spotlight on me.”

Thamert was nominated because he has helped students build confidence in going to school and wanting to learn.

“You need to know your kids and what you’re dealing with, and sometimes you’ve got to change up everything just to make sure it works and make sure they get it,” Thamert said.

He said it is important to understand each student and sprinkle in a little fun between lessons.

Thamert explained, “When they come in, you say hi, check in on them — how are you doing, things like that and you see them smile. You try to keep them happy, and then it makes it a little easier to teach them and they want to be here.”

Thamert has been teaching for 27 years. He said his interest in teaching has been years in the making.

“Both my parents — my mom was an orchestra teacher in the county for 30-some years, and my father was a history teacher. Then he was a vice principal and a principal in the county for 35 years,” Thamert said.

He said the best thing about being a teacher is the unlimited surprises.

“They come up and they’re like, ‘Hey, Mr. Thamert, how are you doing?’ They come up and hug you, so it makes you feel good.”

Congratulations to Jeff Thamert.

If you’d like to nominate your favorite teacher for next month, you can click the link here.