Junior Achievement Eastern Shore Honors Local Teachers Ahead Of New School Year

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — Junior Achievement Eastern Shore hosted its JA Community Night on Tuesday, honoring and supporting local teachers ahead of the upcoming school year.

With classes set to begin soon, educators had their chance to shine at the event. Parkside High School special education teacher Jennifer Wilson said the recognition provided a meaningful back-to-school boost.

“This is really special. Just being able to have us recognized as teachers because a lot of us, you know, we’re your kids’ first access into the world,” Wilson said.

Teachers play a key role in students’ support systems, and the event offered an opportunity for the community to give back to those guiding local students.

April Schenck, owner of Beaded Creations, said it was an honor to support teachers in the county by gifting them pens and lanyards to help them prepare for the school year.

“Everybody that came today got a goodie bag from me. It was something that I’m making, so I thought that was a nice give-back to our teachers,” Schenck said.

For new JA Eastern Shore President and CEO JJ Skyler, the event was her first of many. She said it was fulfilling to see the community come together to support educators across the Eastern Shore.

“If they didn’t do what they did in advancing the schools, we wouldn’t be able to see all the kids that we see come through the center, and it wouldn’t mean nearly as much. They’re helping us click all of those things into place for them,” Skyler said.

As Skyler prepares for a school year filled with events and programs, she said it is important not to lose sight of what matters most: working together to support students.

“It’s just important to remember that it takes all of us as we shape the future and help empower these students. It’s going to take the educators. It’s going to take Junior Achievement and our team here, but also all of these community partners,” Skyler said.