Harford County Public Schools and Harford Community College are celebrating a milestone achievement for 22 graduating seniors who have earned both their high school diplomas and an Associate of Arts in Teaching in Elementary and Special Education, making them among the rarest graduates in the nation.
The students are the inaugural cohort of the Teacher Academy of Maryland Plus Early College program, a collaborative partnership between HCPS and Harford Community College. While still in high school, these students completed 60 college credits, earning their associate degree alongside their diploma. Nationally, approximately .02 percent of high school students graduate with an associate degree in a teaching track, making this accomplishment especially noteworthy.
To recognize the achievement, HCPS and Harford Community College hosted a celebration immediately following the students' final exams. Students, families, and program leaders gathered to honor the cohort's success, and students donned their Harford Community College caps and gowns for a formal photo ahead of their official college graduation on May 21, 2026.
The TAM+ Early College program is the result of a collaboration between HCPS and Harford Community College faculty and leadership, including Professor of Education Brigid Cook and HCPS educator Alissa Thomas, who worked together to design and implement the program and expand access and opportunity for students.
"Our students have demonstrated remarkable dedication, perseverance, and passion for the field of education," said HCPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Dyann R. Mack. "They represent the future of our classrooms and our TAM+ program with Harford Community College embodies the power of innovative partnerships within our community."
"This program reflects what is possible when institutions come together with a shared vision," said Thomas. "We are incredibly proud of these students and excited to celebrate all they have accomplished."
Graduates of the program are uniquely positioned to continue their education and pursue careers in teaching, helping to build the next generation of educators in Harford County and beyond.