The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum hosted its inaugural Education Professionals Gratitude Day last Friday, welcoming dozens of teachers, administrators, and support staff from across the region and beyond. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum hosted its inaugural Education Professionals Gratitude Day last Friday, welcoming dozens of teachers, administrators, and support staff from across the region and beyond. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

By Mikayla Heiss, Marketing & Communications Coordinator

ST. MICHAELS, Md., June 30, 2023 – Dozens of education professionals met critters living in CBMM’s oyster cages in the Miles River, grooved to live music, and enjoyed some sweet treats at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s first Education Professionals Gratitude Day last Friday.

Teachers, paraprofessionals, school and district administrators, and support staff were invited to spend a day by the water as guests of honor for the festivities.

“I live and grew up in this area, but we haven’t been to CBMM since my daughters were children,” said Michelle Smith, a second-grade teacher at White Marsh Elementary School. “I was so excited to come up here. We haven’t been here since they were little girls, and now they’re 21 and 23.”

The special guests stayed busy throughout the day, taking part in hands-on activities and exploring CBMM’s 18-acre campus.

A lighthouse enthusiast, Smith particularly enjoyed touring the Hooper Strait Lighthouse and learning more about the lighthouses of the Bay, while Jessica Kastel, an English Language Arts teacher at St Michaels Middle High, brought her son Chance to CBMM for a visit filled with relaxation and reminiscing.

“I’m just looking at how everything has changed since I was here in fifth grade,” Kastel said.

CBMM welcomes teachers from across Talbot County, the Eastern Shore, and beyond to campus on a daily basis during the school year.

Education Professionals Gratitude Day was born out of a desire to give back to these community leaders for their tireless work, compassion, and dedication. This year, the event was made possible by the generous support of CBMM’s community partners Easton Velocity, Mid-Atlantic Waste Systems, PNC Bank, and Shore United Bank.

“We were thrilled to welcome so many education professionals for this new event, recognizing all of the hard work they put in throughout the school year to support our PK-12 students” CBMM’s Vice President of Education & Interpretation Jill Ferris said. “We welcome education professionals all year on field trips, but Education Professionals Gratitude Day gave them a chance to start summer break by with a relaxing visit CBMM with their families and loved ones. With the support of our community partners, we look forward to continuing these efforts next year and beyond.”

CBMM's Education Professionals Gratitude Day festivities included live music, hands-on activities, frozen treats from Hoots Shaved Ice, swag bags, and more. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

CBMM’s Education Professionals Gratitude Day festivities included live music, hands-on activities, frozen treats from Hoots Shaved Ice, swag bags, and more. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

Last week’s event was designed to celebrate everyone involved in education and attracted a wide range of attendees.

Makayla Moore is just getting started with her career in education. With some experience already under her belt, Moore is going to Chesapeake College to become a teacher.

“I really like working with kids and giving them a positive experience, especially with through the challenges presented by COVID, and showing them that they can do anything,” said Moore, who remembers participating in CBMM’s Lighthouse Overnight Adventure as a Girl Scout.

The festivities drew education professionals from across the region and as far away as San Francisco. That included plenty of guests who live and work on the Eastern Shore, and others, like Amy Higgins, who savored the opportunity to make a special trip here.

“I grew up in the area, and when I received the notice about the day today, I knew I wanted to come be a part of it,” said Higgins, a technical assistant for fine arts in the Howard County Public School System. “I grew up playing on these grounds. I feel like the chance to learn more about the Bay, and especially for our kids, is priceless.”

For more information on CBMM’s youth education programming, including Lighthouse Overnight Adventures, CBMM Summer Camp, STEAM Team, and more, visit cbmm.org/youtheducation.

Education Professionals Gratitude Day

ST. MICHAELS, Md., May 12, 2023 – During Teacher Appreciation Week, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is excited to announce its inaugural Education Professionals Gratitude Day coming this summer.

CBMM is inviting anyone involved in education – teachers, administrators, and support staff – to be celebrated on its waterfront campus Friday, June 23, from 10am-2pm. Admission is free for PK-12 education professionals with valid school or district ID and their immediate families for the festivities, which are set to include live music, hands-on activities, frozen treats from Hoots Shaved Ice, swag bags, and more.

CBMM hosts thousands of students, plus their teachers and chaperones, annually for field trips from across Talbot County, the Eastern Shore, and beyond, and this celebration was sparked out of a desire to recognize everyone working in education for their support, guidance, and leadership on a daily basis.

“Schools everywhere have faced unprecedented challenges the past few years, and we know that education professionals have been an incredible support resource for their students through it all,” said CBMM Vice President of Education & Interpretation Jill Ferris. “We hope that many of these community champions will be able to join us next month for this celebration, so that we can express our continued gratitude for all that they do.”

Education Professionals Gratitude Day is open to all PK-12 public, private, and charter school personnel, including teachers, paraprofessionals, school and district administrators, and support staff providing maintenance, transportation, security, clerical, food and other services within schools.

There is no need to RSVP. PK-12 education professionals from near and far can simply present their school or district ID or other appropriate documentation at the Welcome Center and enjoy their visit. For any questions or additional information, contact Ferris at jferris@cbmm.org.

In conjunction with this celebration, CBMM is also launching the Talbot County Public Schools Gratitude Give-Back Program to provide all TCPS staff with four free general admission passes and an offer for a discounted CBMM Membership.

CBMM shares a deep connection with TCPS through annual field trips and in-classroom experiences for all third, fifth, and seventh graders in the school district, as well as its Rising Tide after-school program for local middle school students.

For more information on this youth education programming, as well as Lighthouse Overnight Adventures, CBMM Summer Camp, STEAM Team, and more, visit cbmm.org/youtheducation.

CBMM’s education professional recognition initiatives are made possible by the generous support of its community partners Easton Velocity, Mid-Atlantic Waste Systems, PNC Bank, and Shore United Bank.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization that preserves and explores the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and makes this resource available to all.

Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.