Dundalk Chamber Honors Outstanding Educators

The stress of administering standardized tests is over and the countdown to the last day of school is in full swing.

What better time to throw a party to honor the Dundalk area's outstanding teachers?

The Dundalk Chamber of Commerce did just that on April 26 at Martin's East when it hosted its eighth annual awards program and recognition dinner for deserving teachers from area public schools and The Community College of Baltimore County.

Fourteen educators were nominated for the 2012 awards. One winner was selected for each level of public education schools and the Dundalk campus of CCBC.

The 2012 Chamber of Commerce Outstanding teachers are Kimberly Geho (elementary school), Marjorie McGarry (middle school), Allison Jackson (high school) and Albert Shulley (CCBC Dundalk).

The chamber provided the following profiles of each winner:

Kimberly Geho, Eastwood Elementary Magnet School

Kimberly Geho is an outstanding kindergarten teacher who works tirelessly to ensure that all students have high quality instruction.  She challenges students every day and helps them to excel above and beyond the curricular standards. 

In addition to having all of her students meet kindergarten standards for phonemic awareness, Geho obtained a master's degree in special education and is pursuing national board certification.

She is dedicated to serving the community in which she lives by serving as the coordinator of Camp Invention, a week-long summer adventure program for any child in Baltimore County entering grades one through six. 

Also, for the past five years, she's organized the Eastwood Math-a-Thon for St. Jude Hospital. 

She is a member of the Athletic Booster Club for Sparrows Point High School, which her son attends, and coordinates the Market Day program. 

Geho has taught for seven years in the Dundalk area. 

Marjorie McGarry, Holabird Middle School

Marjorie McGarry is an outstanding science teacher who serves as department chair and leads her team of teachers to provide high quality instruction for all students. 

Through organizing field trips she has engaged students in authentic learning and exposure to the world. 

She has provided training to the entire school staff in regard to the Green School effort and STEM.  Under her leadership, a cyber security club, a STEM club, and a recycling program have been created. 

McGarry is pursuing her national board certification.

The Dundalk community has also benefited from her work for the environment. She has participated in many tree plantings and cleanup efforts in our area and has organized the building of reef balls to be deployed to the Chesapeake Bay to create habitats for bay life.

McGarry has taught for seven years in the Dundalk area. 

Allison Jackson, Sparrows Point High School

Allison Jackson is an outstanding English teacher who is a champion of students through her quality instruction and guidance with after-school programs. 

She is certified by the National Board and is a curriculum writer for Baltimore County Public Schools.

Jackson has a master's degree in creative non-fiction and is currently working on her doctorate in education. 

In addition, she teaches summer school, sponsors the National Honor Society, advises the school's literary magazine and organizes the “Poetry Cafe,” an after-school club. 

She has energetically run the “Pennies for Patients” fundraiser to benefit children with leukemia. Her efforts with this fundraiser have resulted in doubled profits. 

In the community, she teaches Sunday school and tutors for a program assisting inner-city youth.  She has been described as “a whirlwind of energy, enthusiasm, and generosity.” 

Jackson has taught in the Dundalk area for nine years. 

Albert Shulley, CCBC Dundalk

Albert Shulley is an outstanding science teacher who maintains high academic standards while constantly engaging students. 

He is a retired Baltimore County high school teacher who has also been teaching at CCBC for more than 15 years.

He has served as an adjunct mentor and course committee member.  He has been influential in training new faculty and developing engaging and challenging curricula. 

Shulley's ties to the public school system have been instrumental in developing a Parallel Enrollment Program with students at Sparrows Point High School. 

A role model for students and the community, he volunteers at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Maryland Science Center, the Bear Creek Watershed Restoration organization and other local agencies.  He has also helped several students realize their own potential at local service organizations. 

Shulley has taught in the Dundalk Area for 40-plus years. 

Other nominees for the outstanding teacher awards:

Erin DiCello, Colgate Elementary

Tatiana Lowers, Charlesmont Elementary

Brandi Corriggio, Battle Monument School

Sara Mullin, Dundalk Middle

Thomas Szewczyk, Sparrows Point Middle

Ruth Akers, Sollers Point Technical High

Bruce Kahl, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts

Nancy Yetter, Dundalk High

Betsy Gooden, CCBC Dundalk

Kenneth MacLaughlin, CCBC Dundalk