The Board of Education at its Feb. 12 meeting honored five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees for their commitment to the school system, and dedication to teaching and learning. Honored by the Board were Vincent Batts, Kelsey Jones, Dana Moyer, Kathleen Stafford and Terence Stone.
Batts is a longtime building service worker at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School. He arrives to work two hours early each day to ensure the building is safe and inviting for students and staff. Batts demonstrates a positive attitude and takes initiative to ensure school grounds are well maintained. He is known among staff as a team player who mentors his colleagues. Batts builds a positive rapport with both students and staff and takes pride in his work. He also takes the lead when the building service manager is out, ensuring all tasks are completed and work orders are processed. Stoddert Principal Christienne Warren said she receives compliments about Batts’ work ethic and demeanor. “Mr. Batts is a beloved member of the Stoddert family. Students, staff, parents and community members look forward to seeing his huge smile. The feedback from our community is that Mr. Batts’ positive attitude is an important component of our school culture,” Warren wrote in a nomination statement.
Jones is a third-grade teacher at J.C. Parks Elementary School. Last year, she helped to relaunch the Destination Imagination (DI) program at Parks. This included the creation of three student teams, one of which advanced to the state competition. Jones is active in new teacher mentoring at Parks and models classroom expectations for her peers. She is an integral part of the school Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) program and helps teachers learn how to use the Class Do Jo system. Jones provides professional development to her colleagues and fills in for administrators as needed. She spends extra time before and after school helping with programs for students. Jones is kind and caring in her interactions with both students and her colleagues. Parks Principal Greg Miller said Jones is a role model teacher. “Kelsey has almost perfect attendance every year. She is dedicated to her craft, often spending countless hours at school at the end of the day. Kelsey is an outstanding educator,” Miller wrote in a nomination statement.
Moyer is a learning resource teacher at Dr. James Craik Elementary School. She has worked for CCPS for 29 years, taught at eight different schools and served in different positions. In her current role, Moyer displays her ability to teach, organize and multitask. She helps to write curriculum and has developed numerous lesson plans for use in the classroom. Moyer is known among Craik staff as the school “cheerleader” because she always demonstrates a positive attitude and kind demeanor. She is committed to supporting each child and staff member. Moyer was recently honored by the Maryland Council on Gifted Education as a 2019 Outstanding Educator for her efforts in gifted education. She greets students and staff daily with a smile and is passionate about education. Craik Principal Michelle Beckwith said Moyer is a role model teacher. “She always finds the positive in all situations. Her hard work, willingness to help and advocacy for children and teachers should not go unrecognized but celebrated,” Beckwith wrote in a nomination statement.
Stafford is the reading resource teacher at Malcolm Elementary School. She helps teachers create activities for use in the classroom so they can focus on instruction rather than creating activities. These activities range from guided reading clipboard charts to implementing technology in instruction. On an average school day, Stafford can be found visiting classrooms to work with students or helping a teacher in need. She is thorough and completes all assignments in a timely manner. Among her colleagues, Stafford is known as a leader who takes initiative and is proactive. She recently worked with her colleagues to assign mentors for students in the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) program at Thomas Stone High School. Through her efforts, 12 mentors signed on to participate this year. She also helps to plan after-school events such as academic and reading nights, formative assessment book studies and Malcolm’s literacy times. Malcolm Principal Mary Finneran said Stafford exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator. “Mrs. Stafford is truly an amazing educator. She exemplifies all that an outstanding employee is. She gives thoughtful and kind feedback to all, even to the new principal. I could not have had such a successful first half of the year without her help,” Finneran wrote in a nomination statement.
Stone is a computer science teacher at St. Charles High School. He is the lead organizer for all Hour of Code events at the school and helps to bridge connections between computer science and other content areas. Stone has helped to grow the computer science program at St. Charles. The program started with one java programming class in 2014, and now includes web design, principals of computer programming, Advanced Placement (AP) computer science principles and AP computer science. Stone has also led the planning and execution of two Hackathon events in which students have 24 hours to work in teams to solve computer science and coding issues. The students then have to present their findings to a panel of judges. Stone oversees all Hackathon aspects, such as securing judges, donors and participants, to building student interest and enthusiasm. He was also selected to testify before the Maryland General Assembly about computer science education, and asked students to participate in a “Girls Who Code” event with legislators. St. Charles Principal Richard Conley said Stone is a consistent promoter of computer science education. “He always finds ways to promote computer science and address national and local initiatives. He helps bridge a connection between computer science and other contents and promotes student, school and county computer science achievements,” Conley wrote in a nomination statement.
The Board at its monthly meetings honors CCPS students and staff who are nominated by their principals for recognition.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,108 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 36 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
[ This article originally appeared here ]
Batts is a longtime building service worker at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School. He arrives to work two hours early each day to ensure the building is safe and inviting for students and staff. Batts demonstrates a positive attitude and takes initiative to ensure school grounds are well maintained. He is known among staff as a team player who mentors his colleagues. Batts builds a positive rapport with both students and staff and takes pride in his work. He also takes the lead when the building service manager is out, ensuring all tasks are completed and work orders are processed. Stoddert Principal Christienne Warren said she receives compliments about Batts’ work ethic and demeanor. “Mr. Batts is a beloved member of the Stoddert family. Students, staff, parents and community members look forward to seeing his huge smile. The feedback from our community is that Mr. Batts’ positive attitude is an important component of our school culture,” Warren wrote in a nomination statement.
Jones is a third-grade teacher at J.C. Parks Elementary School. Last year, she helped to relaunch the Destination Imagination (DI) program at Parks. This included the creation of three student teams, one of which advanced to the state competition. Jones is active in new teacher mentoring at Parks and models classroom expectations for her peers. She is an integral part of the school Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) program and helps teachers learn how to use the Class Do Jo system. Jones provides professional development to her colleagues and fills in for administrators as needed. She spends extra time before and after school helping with programs for students. Jones is kind and caring in her interactions with both students and her colleagues. Parks Principal Greg Miller said Jones is a role model teacher. “Kelsey has almost perfect attendance every year. She is dedicated to her craft, often spending countless hours at school at the end of the day. Kelsey is an outstanding educator,” Miller wrote in a nomination statement.
Moyer is a learning resource teacher at Dr. James Craik Elementary School. She has worked for CCPS for 29 years, taught at eight different schools and served in different positions. In her current role, Moyer displays her ability to teach, organize and multitask. She helps to write curriculum and has developed numerous lesson plans for use in the classroom. Moyer is known among Craik staff as the school “cheerleader” because she always demonstrates a positive attitude and kind demeanor. She is committed to supporting each child and staff member. Moyer was recently honored by the Maryland Council on Gifted Education as a 2019 Outstanding Educator for her efforts in gifted education. She greets students and staff daily with a smile and is passionate about education. Craik Principal Michelle Beckwith said Moyer is a role model teacher. “She always finds the positive in all situations. Her hard work, willingness to help and advocacy for children and teachers should not go unrecognized but celebrated,” Beckwith wrote in a nomination statement.
Stafford is the reading resource teacher at Malcolm Elementary School. She helps teachers create activities for use in the classroom so they can focus on instruction rather than creating activities. These activities range from guided reading clipboard charts to implementing technology in instruction. On an average school day, Stafford can be found visiting classrooms to work with students or helping a teacher in need. She is thorough and completes all assignments in a timely manner. Among her colleagues, Stafford is known as a leader who takes initiative and is proactive. She recently worked with her colleagues to assign mentors for students in the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) program at Thomas Stone High School. Through her efforts, 12 mentors signed on to participate this year. She also helps to plan after-school events such as academic and reading nights, formative assessment book studies and Malcolm’s literacy times. Malcolm Principal Mary Finneran said Stafford exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator. “Mrs. Stafford is truly an amazing educator. She exemplifies all that an outstanding employee is. She gives thoughtful and kind feedback to all, even to the new principal. I could not have had such a successful first half of the year without her help,” Finneran wrote in a nomination statement.
Stone is a computer science teacher at St. Charles High School. He is the lead organizer for all Hour of Code events at the school and helps to bridge connections between computer science and other content areas. Stone has helped to grow the computer science program at St. Charles. The program started with one java programming class in 2014, and now includes web design, principals of computer programming, Advanced Placement (AP) computer science principles and AP computer science. Stone has also led the planning and execution of two Hackathon events in which students have 24 hours to work in teams to solve computer science and coding issues. The students then have to present their findings to a panel of judges. Stone oversees all Hackathon aspects, such as securing judges, donors and participants, to building student interest and enthusiasm. He was also selected to testify before the Maryland General Assembly about computer science education, and asked students to participate in a “Girls Who Code” event with legislators. St. Charles Principal Richard Conley said Stone is a consistent promoter of computer science education. “He always finds ways to promote computer science and address national and local initiatives. He helps bridge a connection between computer science and other contents and promotes student, school and county computer science achievements,” Conley wrote in a nomination statement.
The Board at its monthly meetings honors CCPS students and staff who are nominated by their principals for recognition.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,108 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 36 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
[ This article originally appeared here ]