Charles Co. Board of Ed. Honors Staff for Commitment to Teaching and Learning

LA PLATA, Md. (January 13, 2019)—The Board of Education at its Jan. 8 meeting honored five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff members for their commitment to teaching and learning, and their support of student success.

Honored were Kristen Barrett, a social studies teacher at Milton M. Somers Middle School; Robin Figurelle, a fourth-grade teacher at Mary H. Matula Elementary School; Kelly Kavlick, a reading resource teacher at Gale-Bailey Elementary School; Nathan Mouli, a social studies teacher at Maurice J. McDonough High School; and Meagan Fox, a fifth-grade teacher at Arthur Middleton Elementary School.

Barrett teaches seventh grade social studies at Somers and was chosen for recognition by not only her principal, Sandra Taylor, but her colleagues as well. She is dedicated, kind and professional and strives to engage each student in her classroom. Barrett uses a variety of lesson plans and teaching strategies to reach all levels of learners. She goes out of her way to help a colleague in need of assistance and is known by Somers staff as a team player. Barrett shares instructional strategies with her peers, and her students are eager to learn from her each day. She sets high expectations for her students and pushes them to do their best. Taylor said Barrett is a role model teacher. "Ms. Barrett embodies all of the characteristics of an exemplary employee and is truly deserving of this recognition," Taylor wrote in a nomination statement.

Figurelle has been teaching at Matula for several years and provides a welcoming learning environment for students. She collaborates with both the special education and instructional leadership teams to provide engaging instruction. Figurelle opens her classroom for observation to teachers across the system and is a leader among her peers. She is part of a team that helped to implement the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) State Personnel Development Grant at Matula five years ago. Known as the BUZZ grant, Figurelle led the team in the implementation and monitoring of the grant. Since 2013, her students have consistently met or exceeded their learning targets and continue to excel. Matula Principal Carrie Richardson said Figurelle is a model educator. "Robin has embraced the structures of the BUZZ grant across all content areas as well as the strategies learned during Matula's community of practice meetings focused on effective questioning. Robin is a member of the core school-based leadership team and model educator," Richardson wrote in a nomination statement.

Kavlick is a 22-year veteran CCPS teacher who has spent her entire career at Gale-Bailey. She has taught students in first through fifth grades and served as a reading interventionist. Kavlick is an instrumental part of the Gale-Bailey team. She helps to lead schoolwide and countywide professional development opportunities, new teacher orientation sessions and serves as a mentor for her peers. She was inspired to go into education by her second-grade teacher, and provides a welcoming learning environment. Her students know they are important and she tells them each day. Kavlick is active in her community and has served as a Maryland State Certified Emergency Medical Technician for 28 years. She demonstrates commitment, pride and leadership within the school community, and strives to build positive relationships with students, parents and her colleagues. Gale-Bailey Principal Verniece Rorie said Kavlick is a role model teacher. "She has made a positive impact on many children, parents and staff members. As indicated, she has demonstrated commitment, leadership and positive relationships within the Gale-Bailey community to show her love for teaching and learning," Rorie wrote in a nomination statement.

Mouli is an example of an educator who loves the content he teaches. His love for history is apparent in his lessons and in the classroom. In turn, his students are excited and engaged in their learning. Mouli creates a collaborative environment in which students are actively engaged in the learning process. His students leave his class with an enhanced self-esteem and feel empowered to share what they are learning. Mouli primarily teaches students in local, state and national (LSN) government classes, a subject area in which students are assessed and must pass in order to graduate. Mouli's students not only exhibit a desire to learn the content, but they demonstrate their willingness to achieve by scoring well on the exam. He also oversees the student service-learning program at McDonough, which is another high school graduation requirement. He encourages students to go above and beyond to earn their required community service hours and make a difference. Earlier this school year, a group of his students participated in the Lifestyles of Maryland Walk to End Homelessness to show support for the community. Mouli serves as the McDonough social studies department chair and coordinates countywide professional development sessions to share his expertise. McDonough Principal Steven Roberts said Mouli is an exceptional teacher. "He has a thorough knowledge of his subject matter, which he shares with great effectiveness with his students. Understanding the needs of his students, Mr. Mouli's teaching style is such that he creates a space for thoughtful exploration of historical and current topics of a civic nature," Roberts wrote in a nomination statement.

Fox has served as the fifth-grade inclusion teacher at Middleton for the past four years. She strives to reach all levels of learners and is dedicated to ensuring all students achieve success. Fox consistently seeks rigorous teaching strategies to connect with students and helps to write fifth-grade curriculum at the county level. She plans with her colleagues, offering lesson plan ideas, behavior management strategies and support. Fox takes pride in the success of her students and helps them to understand goal setting and achievement. She also works with a student teacher as part of the Teacher Academy of Maryland program, volunteers to assist with academic nights, clubs and the extended-learning opportunity (ELO) program and annually coordinates the fifth-grade Nanjemoy Creek field trip. Middleton Principal Benjamin Harrington said Fox is a vital part of the school. "As a fifth-grade teacher for the last four years, Meagan has shown excellent growth and achievement. Her passion for teaching is not limited to the curriculum. She recently led a Just Say No group of students in the importance of standing their ground in making good choices. Meagan is a vital part of Middleton Elementary," Harrington wrote in a nomination statement.

The Board at its monthly meetings honors CCPS students and staff who are nominated by their principals for recognition.