Tulip Grove Educator Named Prince George's County Teacher of Year

>>Want more news? Get the daily Bowie email newsletter.

Renee Roth, third-grade science teacher at Tulip Grove Elementary School, has been named the 2015 Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made at the school system’s annual Teacher of the Year Celebration at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt.

“Our new Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year epitomizes excellence in teaching,” said Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer for Prince George’s County Public Schools. “Ms. Roth not only demonstrates mastery in the field of science; she instills a passion for learning in her students and prepares them for future success as they enter the next level in their education.”

Roth has served Prince George’s County Public Schools students for the past 30 years, starting as a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Berkshire Elementary School in August 1985. She transferred to Tulip Grove Elementary School in 1998, where she has taught third- and fourth-graders in Reading/Language Arts, science, social studies, and health.

“Mrs. Roth’s students know and understand that learning is important,” said Jaime Coffen, principal of Tulip Grove. “Children get their foundation for future academic and social success in elementary school. Mrs. Roth understands this and has provided the children of Prince George’s County Public Schools a firm foundation to stand on, and her dedication and commitment to students, fellow educators, and pre-service educators is the reason I believe she makes an ideal candidate for Teacher of the Year.”

Dana Olfus, seventh-grade Reading/English Language Arts teacher from Benjamin Tasker Middle School, was the runner-up for Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year. Samantha Kornegay, fifth- and sixth-grade math teacher at Allenwood Elementary School, and Kimberly Wilson, eighth-grade Reading/English Language Arts teacher at Accokeek Academy, were finalists.

“All of our outstanding nominees for Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year demonstrate excellence in their classrooms every day,” said Board Chair Segun C. Eubanks. “Their passion and dedication earns them the respect of students, parents, and colleagues alike, and their ‘star quality’ is evident in all that they do. I am proud to have the opportunity to join them as we celebrate their success.”

Roth was nominated by her peers at Tulip Grove not only for her skills in the classroom, but for her support of colleagues through her role as Professional Development Lead Teacher. She provides dynamic, engaging training opportunities in the latest educational practices to enhance instruction throughout her school. She has also acted as the school’s Science Coordinator, presented classroom management strategies to new PGCPS teachers, participated in the Effective Educator’s STEM Academy, mentored new teachers, and served as a model classroom for the district’s Balanced Reading Training Program. She started the Tulip Grove After-School Science Club in 1999, served as coordinator for 14 years, and also coordinates the school’s annual STEM fair.

In 2002, she was awarded the City of Bowie’s “Excellence in Education” Award. Always focused on improving education, Roth went on to earn National Board Certification in 2004, the highest certification in the nation available to teachers. In 2009, she was named the City of Bowie Teacher of the Month.

Outside of her school community, Roth has served as an adjunct professor and mentor teacher at Bowie State University, helping to prepare pre-service interns to become successful educators. She is involved in many of Tulip Grove’s community outreach programs, and serves on her church’s Christian Education team to provide educational opportunities for preschoolers through adults. She also teaches Vacation Bible School and serves as a lector and mentor for the confirmation class.

Roth received a bachelor’s degree in human development from Marquette University, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Maryland, College Park.

She will compete statewide with representatives from all 24 Maryland counties for the title of 2015-2016 Maryland Teacher of the Year, coordinated by the Maryland State Department of Education. The winner will be announced in the fall and will go on to represent Maryland in the national competition.

The following Prince George’s County educators were also nominated for Teacher of the Year:

• Stephen Biller, Fifth-Grade Science Teacher, Beacon Heights ES
• Pauline Brown, Sixth-Grade & Technology Chair, William Paca ES
• Michelle Campbell, Special Education Teacher, James E. Duckworth Regional School
• Valerie Dent, Instrumental Music Teacher, Surrattsville HS
• Brenda Durant, Fourth-Grade Math & Science Teacher, Fort Washington Forest ES
• Nadine Gaujean, Sixth-Grade Science Teacher, Walker Mill MS
• Susan Holmes, Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Math & Science Teacher, Judith P. Hoyer Montessori
• Laurie Koronowski, First-Third Grade Teacher, John Hanson Montessori
• Erin Nauman, Fourth-Grade Math & Science Teacher, Imagine Andrews PCS
• Chukwuemeka Nwokorie, Seventh-Grade Reading/English Language Teacher, Walker Mill MS
• Danielle Ritthaler, Art 1/Art 2 Drawing & Painting Teacher, Bowie HS
• Kiesha Tate, Fifth-Grade Math Teacher, Tayac Academy