Five exemplary Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees were honored by the Board of Education on October 9. Honored were Nina Ogasawara, Tracy Bell, Shirley Turner, Crystal Holm and Jason Bursick.
Ogasawara is a school counselor at Gale-Bailey Elementary School. She was nominated for recognition for displaying excellence in her position and for her successful implementation of a behavior management program at the school. Ogasawara is the chairperson for ROAR, which is the school’s positive behavior program. Students are rewarded for positive behavior and personal responsibility. The program has helped support the school’s vision of supporting student achievement while providing children with a safe and orderly learning environment. Gale-Bailey Principal Carrie Richardson said that Ogasawara is a genuine and unassuming individual. “Nina’s tireless commitment and dedication to the entire Gale-Bailey school community has resulted in tremendous positive growth worthy of recognition,” Richardson wrote in a nomination letter.
Bell is a third-grade teacher at Mary H. Matula Elementary School. She was nominated for recognition for demonstrating a high degree of pride in her work and for her work ethic. She is the leader of the third-grade team and serves as the cosponsor of the schools Destination Imagination (DI) teams. Bell displays a high level of commitment and excellence in her work and works tirelessly to help students and staff in any way possible. Matula Principal Timothy Rosin said Bell serves as an invaluable support to teachers and school staff. “She maintains a positive, professional ‘can-do’ attitude in her interactions with students, colleagues, and parents,” Rosin wrote in a nomination letter.
Turner is a first-grade teacher at Arthur Middleton Elementary School. She was nominated for recognition for her strong passion for technology in the classroom and for life-long learning. Turner has innovative teaching ideas, and shares them with her colleagues. She takes on leadership roles and is an effective communicator with the Middleton community. To better communicate with her ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students, Turner seeks out various resources to help learn their native language. Middleton Principal Sabrina Robinson-Taylor said that Turner is a valuable staff member. “She is hard-working, consistent, effective and dedicated to her profession,” Robinson-Taylor wrote in a nomination letter.
Holm is a mathematics teacher at Milton M. Somers Middle School. She was nominated for recognition for her high level of expertise and professionalism in the classroom. Holm works with her students to make sure their abilities and needs are met. She is responsible and highly accountable for the performance levels of each of her students, and accepts responsibility in a competent and professional manner. She cosponsors Somers’ Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA), LEGO robotics and Sea Perch teams, as well as the spirit squad and faculty step team. Somers Principal Stephanie Wesolowski said Holm is the perfect example of an excellent teacher. “Ms. Holm exhibits the personal and professional traits that
