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At its 64th
Annual Teacher Recognition Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 12, the Chesapeake
Gateway Chamber of Commerce honored 24 area teachers with Outstanding
Educator Awards. The dinner was the Chambers opportunity to reflect
with its members and guests on accomplishments of the past year and
to look forward to a successful year ahead. The Chambers Education Committee
recognizes one teacher from each Chamber member school, both public
and private. The teachers, nominated by their principals and chosen
by the committee, meet the criteria of five or more years of service
in education; demonstrated classroom leadership; involvement in extra-curricular
activities and after-school events; respected by colleagues and the
student body; and positive role model for students. Baltimore County
Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Hairston described how education
is the future of our society. We recognize that economic growth and
development is predicated on the next generation that can preserve world
peace and fuel the economy, he said. That doesnt happen unless you have
great teachers. Over my 12 years [as superintendent] Ive always said
that a community that ceased to support its young people is a decaying
community, Hairston explained. Im proud to say that Baltimore County
is a community that has committed itself to taking care of its young
people. Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis, president of the Community College of
Baltimore County, summed up her feelings with a Japanese proverb: Better
than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.
Kurtinitis said she always enjoys the opportunity to acknowledge the
great teachers because most dont work for the money or the fancy cars
or houses. They actually work for the satisfaction of seeing the good
learning ignited in the eyes and hearts of young people, she commented.
Although most students do not remember their college presidents, such
as herself, Kurtinitis said, Every student remembers the name of a special
teacher. Anthony Rivera, the honoree from Eastern Technical High School,
said he had a long list of people who inspired him to become a teacher.
But the cool thing about wanting to be a teacher, he opined, is when
you step into that classroom and you take that inspiration and you gotta
do something with it. What really brings him joy in teaching is to see
a student walking across the stage at graduation after having gotten
to know them, and he knows that student will become passionate and caring
as they move on to the next phase of their life. There are many people
who inspire us to become better individuals, Rivera acknowledged, and
I hope to be one of those people for my students. Honoree Lisa Bell,
from Deep Creek Middle School, spoke about the power entrusted with
her as an educator. Knowing that Im a stakeholder in the academic success
of so many young, creative minds is terrifying, yet empowering, she
explained. Just as we encourage our students to explore many avenues
of learning, we too need to do the same with teaching. Carol Ruter,
the honoree from McCormick Elementary School, expanded on the need for
encouragement in the classroom. A motivated teacher needs encouragement,
she stated. An unmotivated teacher needs more encouragement. Ruter noted
she has been fortunate to have received that encouragement, as well
as dialogue on what teachers could do to make things better. Likewise,
students need that encouragement from teachers, she said. There must
be unrelenting coaching and support until standards are met, Ruter declared.
Teachers and students are both invested; learners must receive ample
encouragement throughout the process to sustain motivation and success.
Other nominees of the evening were Jan Moure, of CCBC; Stephanie Caldwell,
of Calvert Hall College High School; Lara Potter, of Chesapeake High
School; Brett Molin, of Kenwood High School; Barbara Petr, of Our Lady
of Mt. Carmel Upper School; Jesse Wasmer, ofPerry Hall High School;
Linda Salihi, of Golden Ring Middle; Lindsay Bugda, of Middle River
Middle; Leanne Voos, of Parkville Middle; Nkenge Barker, of Stemmers
Run Middle; Denise Bosworth, of Carney Elementary; Tracey Collins, of
Deep Creek Elementary; Ken Gogel, of Essex Elementary; Margaret Hart,
of Fullerton Elementary; Eileen Fitzgerald, of Glenmar Elementary; Candice
Beizavi, of Hawthorne Elementary; Kerry Flanigan, of Joppa View Elementary;
Jenifer Crisp, of Mars Estates Elementary; Mary Rocks, of Our Lady of
Mt. Carmel Lower School; Meredith Pitts, of Sandalwood Elementary; and
Amy Holland, of Seneca Elementary.
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