Educator Of The Month: Tammy Chilipko

Three-year-olds. They’re newly potty trained and temper-tantrum prone. Yet, Tammy Chilipko’s prekindergarten 3 students always ran happily into her classroom. Chilipko started volunteering at Severna Park United Methodist Church Nursery School (SPUMCNS), lovingly nicknamed Snoopy School, three years ago when her granddaughter was a student. For the 2024-2025 school year, she came out of retirement to teach because she loves it so much.

“Mrs. Chilipko is truly one of the best,” said SPUMCNS Director Catherine Myers. “She brings a wealth of teaching experience, and her presence this year has been nothing short of magical. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a remarkable educator shaping young minds and sparking a lifelong love of learning.”

When the 73-year-old returns this fall, it will be her 40th year teaching. She’s wanted to be a teacher since she was 6 years old and never wavered. Both of her parents regarded teachers highly. Her brother became a teacher too.

“Teaching is in our blood,” Chilipko said.

The nursery school teacher earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University. She later began teaching without a degree in education at St. Rose of Lima School with a promise she’d get one. Chilipko stayed true to her word for the Catholic school in Brooklyn, Maryland, earning a master’s equivalent in education from Loyola College (now Loyola University Maryland).

“Teaching is a gift from God,” Chilipko said. “If you’re a good teacher, and you strive to be a good teacher, you are constantly learning and evolving. And I think that’s the gift I got.”

Later, she’d set her sights on St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park. She called the nun every day and asked, “Could I please have a job?” Persistence was key. She went on to teach for two years before marrying and moving to Connecticut.

Her family eventually moved back to the area. She and her husband, Frank Chilipko, a former assistant principal at Severna Park Middle School, have been Shipley’s Choice residents for about 36 years.

Years ago, when Chilipko was registering her youngest daughter in preschool, she was hired on the spot at St. John’s in Linthicum, where she taught for seven years.

The bulk of her career — 17 years — was spent at Solley Elementary School in Glen Burnie, where she first retired in 2017. She taught first grade mostly, as well as 3- and 4-year-olds and second- and third-graders. Over the years, Chilipko has developed several inspiring teaching philosophies.

“I want children to feel safe,” she began. “That’s my number-one concern.”

She wants them to know they can be themselves, and she’s here to help them every day.

She always has their backs. And she will never, ever embarrass a student. Chilipko will come to their rescue every time.

“If you make mistakes — that’s OK because you cannot learn without making mistakes,” she said. “So, we all make mistakes … I tell them all the time, ‘I made a mistake; will you forgive me?’ and the class will say ‘Yes!’ Why do they say that? Because we’re a team.”

Sometimes people have to look hard to find kind gestures. Not with Chilipko. Every encounter with her radiates kindness.

“With gentle guidance and a heart full of kindness, she creates meaningful learning adventures that inspire every child to grow and thrive,” Myers said. “Whether transforming the classroom into a circus or leading a day of superhero fun, she fills each moment with imagination and joy.”

Even when working with a challenging student, Chilipko remembers to be kind, often with a helpful trick. She will start the day with three paper clips in her pocket. Chilipko will say one nice thing to the student and move one paperclip to her other pocket. By the end of the day, she will move all three paper clips, symbolizing each compliment. With each kind word, she builds a relationship.

Her kindness extends beyond the classroom. She’s gotten kids glasses, shoes, backpacks and other necessities – sometimes through grants; other times out of her own pocket.

“Raggedy Ann is kind of my hero,” Chilipko said. “She accepts all. She’s kind. I want to be like her.”

She has won many awards including the Literacy Educator of the Year from Loyola College. She was even in the running for 2015 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. But Chilipko’s legacy is her enduring kindness.