LEXINGTON PARK, Md. (Jan. 6, 2009) - Ms. Anne Fogel, a special education teacher at Spring Ridge Middle School, had been named the Sam Kirk Educator of the Year by the Learning Disabilities Association of America.
Fogel was selected in the fall of 2009 to represent the State of Maryland for this national award by the Learning Disabilities Association of Maryland. The Sam Kirk Educator of the Year award is given annually to an educator who has made outstanding contributions to the education of persons with learning disabilities. It is named in honor of the late Dr. Samuel A. Kirk, psychologist, educator, scholar, humanitarian, and pioneer in the field of learning disabilities.
"Anne Fogel is very deserving of this award and I am so proud of her," said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools. "She is caring, compassionate, dedicated, and hard working on behalf of each one of her students."
Fogel joined St. Mary's County Public Schools in 1976 as a teacher at Great Mills High School. Shortly thereafter, she became part of the team that opened what was referred to as the "new" Leonardtown High School. Her career then led her to Town Creek Elementary School, followed by her current assignment at Spring Ridge Middle School where she has taught for the past eight years. Colleagues credit Fogel for having a "plethora of knowledge" and experience teaching at many levels, including college level courses. Currently, she serves as the vice president of the Learning Disabilities Association of St. Mary's County, an organization she joined in 1987, and also served as the chapter's librarian and secretary since that time.
Fogel will formally be recognized by the Learning Disabilities Association of America in February 2010 during the organization's national conference in Baltimore.
Source: St. Mary's County Public Schools