PG County Teachers Honored for Excellence

From PGCPS:

Nineteen Prince George’s County Public School teachers achieved National Board Certified status, while Greenbelt Elementary School is one of only three schools in the state of Maryland to be recognized and honored for its gifted and talented program.

The National Board Certification is the most prestigious teaching credential that educators can obtain in the United States. This year’s honorees include nine new nationally-certified teachers and 10 renewal National Board Certified Teachers:

• Catherine Abbott — Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
• Melissa Alfano — Thomas Claggett Elementary School
• Catalina Ballitoc — Glenridge Elementary School
• Sarah Barias — Panorama Elementary School
• Alexis Cortez — Riverdale Elementary School
• Maria Darza — James Ryder Randall Elementary School
• Ayana English Brown — Largo High School
• Karen Gibson — Forest Heights Elementary School
• Coit Hendley III — Eleanor Roosevelt High School
• Barbara Hughes — High Point High School
• Bianca Johnson — Parkdale High School
• Ella McCarty — Chillum Elementary School
• Christy Neff — University Park Elementary School
• Freda Perry — High Point High School
• Leanne Puglia — Riverdale Elementary School
• Talitha Simeona Moon — Office of Talent Development
• Yau-Jong Twu — Eleanor Roosevelt High School
• Marlen Walderman — H. Winship Wheatley Early Childhood Center
• Maya Yamada — Eleanor Roosevelt High School

As a 2014 recipient of the Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education School Award, Greenbelt Elementary School demonstrated superiority in student identification, curriculum and instruction, professional development, and program management and evaluation.

“I want commend principal Monica Gaines and the entire team at Greenbelt Elementary School on this achievement, as well as thank our new nationally-certified teachers for their commitment to professional growth, high standards in instruction, and improvement in learning outcomes for our students,” said Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer for PGCPS.

“It’s a job well done and a great demonstration of the caliber of teachers we employ and the type of quality instructional options available to students and families in PGCPS,” Dr. Maxwell added.