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Four exemplary Charles County Public Schools employees were honored by the Board of Education at their Nov. 9 meeting. Honored were Pamela Jenkins, Megan Maletto, Michelle Simone and Shannon Morris.

Jenkins is a school counselor at Malcolm Elementary School. She was honored for chairing the school’s technology committee and providing training for Smart Boards and other technology, for planning creative and insightful lessons for students and for her ability to help maintain a positive school environment. Jenkins regularly provides students with lessons that reinforce good character and feature real-life scenarios to connect with subject matter. She maintains outstanding attendance and donates time after school to participate in numerous school committees and events. Jenkins also works with teachers who need assistance in classroom management and provides technology instruction to staff as the committee chair. “Ms. Jenkins is extremely resourceful; she wrote a grant to receive digital video cameras to help enhance school activities. Whenever there is a special project, Ms. Jenkins is readily available,” Principal Wilhelmina Pugh wrote in a nomination letter.

Maletto is a second-grade teacher at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School. She was honored for her dedication, strong leadership, support of the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, and for her work ethic. She is instrumental in the success of the PBIS program, and works closely with the team to ensure good student attendance and to plan events. Maletto demonstrates an energetic work ethic and can often be found working into the evenings after school and on the weekends. She also helps with extracurricular school events and supports the school’s Destination Imagination team and Parent-Teacher-Association (PTA). “She is working on her master’s degree in math, giving her a very full work calendar. Never does she complain and is always the first to find solutions to problems. She shows that it takes more than just teaching to educate children,” Principal Peggy Mertes wrote in a nomination letter. 

Simone is a first-grade teacher at Dr. James Craik Elementary School. She was honored for demonstrating a positive and energetic work ethic, for assisting in the development of reading curriculum and for her dedication to her students. Simone is the first-grade team leader and is a member of the school’s Relay for Life and cheerleading committees. She is the chairperson for the social committee and also works with the school’s morning intervention program for students. Simone demonstrates the importance of professional development by learning new technology to use in the classroom, attending training sessions and working on her master’s degree. She also serves as a mentor to new teachers and puts in long hours after school to help with school events and projects. “Simone is positive, flexible, well planned and works well with at-risk students. She is always willing to go above and beyond to help with any school project,” Principal Penny Berg Nye wrote in a nomination statement.

Morris is a social studies teacher at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School. She was honored for organizing the school’s Harvest for the Hungry food drive, for her professionalism and dedication to her position and her rapport with staff, parents and students. Morris has been teaching social studies at Stoddert for the past seven years. She is the department chair and the student government association (SGA) sponsor, and is also a member of the school improvement team. Morris is working toward her master’s in administration and participated in an internship with the school system’s gifted education program. She was also recognized by State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick in 2008 for organizing a successful food drive at Stoddert. Morris also serves as a mentor for new teachers and works with the student service learning program. “Ms. Morris is always professional with staff, students and parents. As SGA sponsor, students have visited a local nursing home, presented a talent show, and presented at Parent-Teacher-Student-Organization meetings,” Principal Robert Babiak wrote in an award nomination letter. 

The Board honors several exemplary employees each month.

Charles County Public Schools provides 26,858 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 caring community schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.