Board honors outstanding employees
The Board of Education honored five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees during the Nov. 12 Board meeting, including Julie Boucher, Sue DelaCruz, Diane Ryan, Meredith Elrod and Carmencita Bell.
Boucher has been teaching at Dr. James Craik Elementary School since 2006. She teaches second grade but has also taught first grade at Craik. Boucher is a team mentor, who assists novice staff. As the chairperson of the Volunteer Luncheon Committee, she welcomes parents and shows appreciation for their assistance. Over the past three years, she has organized luncheons, entertainment and made personal gifts for each volunteer. In a nomination letter, Craik Principal Penny Nye wrote, “She exemplifies a true professional. She is always ready to have professional conversations that lead to effective teaching strategies, team improvement and to embrace change.”
DelaCruz is a pupil personnel worker (PPW) at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School and Piccowaxen Middle School. DelaCruz connects with students and works to coordinate services to ensure students have what they need to be successful in their learning. As a PPW, she seeks out opportunities to support the school, staff, students and community by coordinating with government and local agencies. DelaCruz also serves as a member of the school’s Student Support Team (SST) and crisis teams at Dr. Higdon. “Mrs. DelaCruz exudes a spirit of professionalism and genuine affection for children and their overall development. [She] is an asset to the Higdon community and Charles County Public Schools,” Higdon Principal Kathleen Morgan wrote in a nomination letter.
Ryan has worked as a prekindergarten special education instructional assistant since 2005 at J.C. Parks Elementary School. Ryan is a member of the school’s math committee and initiated a math incentive program at a local McDonald’s. She presents activities at the school’s math family night and volunteers her time to support disadvantaged families during the holiday season. In a nomination letter, Parks Principal Thadine Wright wrote, “Mrs. Ryan’s long-term excellence in her position as a prekindergarten special education instructional assistant is worthy of recognition and celebration.”
Elrod has taught fourth grade at Malcolm Elementary School since 2009. She has been consistent in her delivery of instruction. Elrod examines the curriculum and finds ways to revise her lessons to challenge her students. Her students are routinely proficient on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) and exceed the county average on benchmark assessments. Elrod provides teachers with support on various instructional strategies and has also provided assistance to special education teachers. She also volunteers and supports schoolwide initiatives. Elrod is an exceptional teacher who brings out the best in all her students according to Wilhelmina Pugh, Malcolm principal.
Bell is the longest serving member of the Benjamin Stoddert Middle School administrative team. She has been a teacher and administrator at Stoddert for 13 years and has served as math department chair, testing coordinator and Edline coordinator. Bell has taken on the tasks of faculty attendance and substitute coverage for the entire 2013-2014 school year to allow other members of the administrative team time to complete formal classroom observations. “Bell is the first staff member in the building every day. She is often the last to leave. [She] is very loyal to the Stoddert community,” Stoddert Principal Robert Babiak, wrote in a nomination letter.
The Board honors several exemplary employees each month.
Board honors outstanding students
The Board of Education honored five students on Tuesday, Nov. 12, for excellence in academic achievement, personal responsibility and career readiness, focus areas of the system’s master plan. The students honored were Iris Golden, fifth grade, Dr. James Craik Elementary School; Gavin Ganter, fifth grade, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School; Kylie Bell, fifth grade, Malcolm Elementary School; Alesia Coleman, fifth grade, J.C. Parks Elementary School; Brandon Hill, eighth grade, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School.
Golden was recognized in the area of academic achievement. Golden has been at Craik since kindergarten. She has earned straight A’s since third grade. Golden is a member of Student Council, Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA), Knowledge Bowl and math team. Golden’s interests outside of school include lacrosse, basketball, soccer, chorus and band. She also volunteers at a soup kitchen and coaches the Lacrosse Chicklets and Bambino Ball for special needs adults and children.
Ganter was recognized in the area of career readiness. Ganter is an honor roll student who is a member of the school’s safety patrol and plays clarinet in the school band. He plans to pursue a college degree beyond high school. Outside of school, Ganter also plays soccer. According to Higdon Principal Kathleen Morgan, Ganter is a bright, articulate and highly able young man who has proven through his years at Hidgon that he has what it takes to be successful in his future endeavors.
Bell was recognized in the area of career readiness. Bell has attended Malcolm since prekindergarten and has been consistently recognized by her teachers as an exceptional student. She is a member of the math team, MESA, Destination Imagination and Just Say No Club. Bell is interested in becoming either a veterinarian or chef when she grows up. According to Malcolm Principal Wilhelmina Pugh, her strong sense of responsibility attributes to her willingness to help others.
Coleman was recognized in the area of academic achievement. Coleman is a member of the school band, MESA and Just Say No Club and supports many events that promote a drug and bully free life. According to Coleman’s teacher, Shannon Bowman, “[She] is the essence of a hard worker who comes in daily ready to do work. She is an active learner who can be depended on to lead classroom discussions, provide leadership skills to her team and ask questions for clarification when needed. I believe she has a very bright future.”
Hill was recognized in the area of personal responsibility. Hill has been a student at Stoddert since the sixth grade and is involved in numerous activities. He is a member of the Student Government Association (SGA) and has advocated against bullying by creating awareness about the negative effects of bulling. As a seventh grader, Hill served as Stoddert’s SGA Vice President. This year, he was elected as the middle school representative alternate for the Charles County Association of Student Councils (CCASC). His teachers have recognized him for his excellent time management, his treatment of fellow students and how he represents Stoddert.
Each month the Board of Education honors students for their success in academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility.