$27K Prize Awarded To PGCPS Teacher For Job Skills Program

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Charles H. Flowers High School special education teacher LeAnn Holden-Martin has won first place in the national Voya Unsung Heroes program that awards grants to educators in kindergarten through 12th grades across the country to support innovative teaching ideas.

As the first-place winner, Holden-Martin received a $25,000 award and an additional $2,000 for placing as a top 50 national finalist.

According to Prince George's County Public Schools, the funds will support Holden-Martin's brainchild, the school's Sonny House Job Skills Program, which helps high school students with severe cognitive disabilities develop real-world job skills. Through the program, students will receive specialized training for a broad range of jobs including housekeeping, laundry care, grocery bagging/shelving, mail sorting, car detailing, gardening and office work (e.g., shredding and basic computer skills). The skills students learn will promote positive self-esteem for a population that has historically been marginalized.