City Council Honors ACE Educators

Greenbelt City Council honored six educators at its most recent regular meeting on Monday. The introductions for the 2012 Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Education (ACE) Award recipients praised their achievements.

Introductions For 2012 ACE Educator Award Recipients

Annette Lynne Maydag, Greenbelt Elementary School

Ms. Maydag is a first grade teacher at Greenbelt Elementary School. She has been at the school for three years and has worked in education for 16 years.

Ms. Maydag is an outstanding first grade teacher. She has created such a warm and orderly learning environment for her students. She brings many creative and innovative instructional strategies to our school district’s curriculums. As a result, she always engages her students in meaningful student-centered activities. Her knowledge of upcoming education trends, motivational techniques and her sincere love of children is evident in her classroom each and every day. In addition, Ms. Maydag praises her students for their successes and always encourages them to do their best.

Stephanie Kohout, Springhill Lake Elementary School

Gym Teacher and Healthy Schools Coordinator Ms. Stephanie Kohout was selected for the 2012 ACE Educator Award because of her invaluable contributions to the community of the school. Ms. Kohout applied for and received numerous grants for the School’s HEALTHY Program that promotes healthy lifestyle and motivates staff and students to pursue it. She also organized events for staff, families, and students to help improve their eating and fitness habits. I am pleased to say that the grants she has gotten for the school includes some ACE grants! ACE is pleased to recognize Stephanie Kohout as the 2012 ACE Educator. 

Robert Allen, Magnolia Elementary School

Mr. Allen is a 6th grade teacher with a total of 20 years experience, 13 of those years at Magnolia. He always goes beyond the call of duty.  He is extremely influential with all of the students and is often called upon to assist those who are having difficulty and need guidance.

Mr. Allen always promotes the Science Bowl competition with Magnolia students. His students have advanced to several levels of competition, and he has lead his team to a county championship.

As one important way to help students, Mr. Allen received several grants to promote mentoring. He also serves as coordinator of the Positive Direction for Youth program and also serves on the Magnolia School Incentive Committee.

On another level, Mr. Allen has creative talents that he uses to help organize the annual variety show, which is a fantastic hit with the school community.  When it comes to relationships with other teachers, he can be called “the life of the party” because he keeps everyone entertained and laughing.

It is a pleasure to recognize Robert Allen as a 2012 Ace Educator Award Winner.

Kelly Henry, Turning Point Academy

Ms. Kelly Henry was selected to receive the 2011 Ace Educator Award for Turning Point Academy.  She is a 4th grade teacher who has been at Turning Point Academy for two years. Ms. Henry has worked with scholastic books, the honor roll, students who had difficulty in other classrooms, and is the grade level chair.

She is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to instruct her students.  Differentiated instruction is her strong suit.  According to Ms. Henry, all students can learn.  She does not judge a child based upon what she has been told by others, but upon what she can assess herself.  She takes children on field trips to expose them to new situations, and takes the lead with experiential learning aspects as well.

Ms. Henry spends long hours at work, and this is reflected in her presentation in the classroom.  Her use of technology is obvious when you look at the lessons she presents to the children here at Turning Point Academy.  She has integrity, and is a role model for others. 

Dr. Kenneth Jones accepted the award on behalf of Kelly Henry who was not present for the awards ceremony.

Angela Atwell, Greenbelt Middle School

Ms. Angela Atwell was selected for the ACE Educator Award because of the drive and dedication that she brings to her mathematics instruction at Greenbelt Middle. She has been teaching for more than 30 years and has shaped the lives of many students during these years. Ms. Atwell is a truly dedicated professional of human growth and development. She demonstrates daily that all children can and will succeed when they are provided high quality instruction.

Although Ms. Atwell is a seasoned professional, she often seeks out diverse 21st century instructional resources that enhance the learning of the students that she encounters. Ms. Atwell is often the last teacher to leave the building every night of the week. She works beyond the call of duty to ensure that the students of Greenbelt Middle not only are proficient and advanced in mathematics but are prepared for life.

Linda Watson, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Ms. Linda Watson was selected for the ACE Educator Award for Eleanor Roosevelt High School because of her long-term commitment to maintaining the highest performance of the science/technology computer lab and for her work as department chair for the media/computer lab department. Ms. Watson puts in long work hours daily, often working late into the evening. She has even been locked in the building several times. She meticulously prepares the three computer labs for use by students and teachers, and teaches classes about computers. Students in the science/technology research program draw on Ms. Watson’s expertise weekly. She also sets up the labs for the many state and county testing sessions required each school year.

One of Ms. Watson’s endearing qualities is her ability to always be available to help both students and teachers while maintaining her huge smile and pleasant personality. Even when she has multiple tasks to complete, she will always stop and assist someone in need. And when she is “on call” during testing or when she is helping with a computer problem, she walks at triple speed to solve the problem.

She has been at Eleanor Roosevelt High School for almost 32 years.  Ms. Watson began as a business teacher in the school, moving up through the ranks to become s/t computer lab teacher full time, and finally becoming the department chair.

Ms. Watson is a deserving recipient for the Greenbelt ACE Educator Award, as she has made multiple and significant contributions to the positive school experience of all students and staff at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.