La Plata, MD – The Board of Education honored four Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees at its April 19 meeting for their commitment to teaching and learning, and for being the difference in the lives of children.
Honored were Andrew Blumhardt of Indian Head Elementary School, Rachel Proctor of Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, Mark Pavlecic of Theodore G. Davis Middle School and Quentin Metzgar of Westlake High School.
Blumhardt is a music teacher at Indian Head and has worked at the school since 2011. He was recognized before the Board for demonstrating a high level of initiative and enthusiasm in the classroom. He focuses his lessons on student-centered instruction by encouraging individual responses, and using informal and formal instructional strategies. He holds weekly before-school chorus sessions to enable fourth- and fifth-grade students who participate in band or orchestra an opportunity to participate in chorus. Blumhardt also coordinates community performances for his students to showcase their talents. In addition to his role as music teacher, Blumhardt has served as the technology assistant at Indian Head and assists school administration with data collection. He has also helped to write curriculum and co-authored a countywide musical assessment for elementary school students. Indian Head Principal Timothy Rosin said Blumhardt is a true asset to the school community. “He demonstrates a high level of initiative, dependability, maturity, and enthusiasm in teaching music and has great potential for future growth in educational leadership and supervision,” Rosin wrote in a nomination letter.
Proctor is a fourth-grade teacher at Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy, where she has been teaching for the past eight years. She was selected by her principal, Kristin Shields, for recognition for going above and beyond to help her students be successful. Proctor has initiated several programs to help struggling learners and strives to make learning exciting for students. She develops instructional plans for all levels of learners and is a go-to resource for other teachers. Proctor is active in the school’s positive, behavioral, interventions and supports (PBIS) program and coaches the math and Destination Imagination (DI) teams. She plans all fourth-grade field trips and coordinates the school’s annual participation in the summer meals program. Shields said Proctor is an outstanding teacher with a strong work ethic. “Rachel has an outstanding rapport with the faculty, students and parents. She enjoys her job and is always willing to help others even if it means extending herself beyond the duties of her position,” Shields wrote in a nomination letter.
Pavlecic is a chorus teacher at Davis and sets high expectations for his students. He has helped to develop a strong choral program at the school. He goes above and beyond in the classroom and has the best interests of his students in mind. Under Pavlecic’s direction, Davis’ choral students have been invited to perform at key events, such as a recent holiday party for foreign ambassadors at the White House and by Secretary of State John Kerry. Several of his students have also been selected for the All-State Chorus. Davis Principal Kim McClarin said Pavlecic is an exemplary role model teacher. “Mr. P continues to go above and beyond my expectation. He is a valuable member of the Davis community. There is nothing he will not do for the students and school,” McClarin wrote in a nomination letter.
Metzgar is the testing coordinator at Westlake and was a science teacher at the school for several years. As the testing coordinator, he schedules and plans all assessments and works with teachers to develop a testing schedule. He provides training for local and state tests and has helped to write curriculum and assessments. Metzgar is a teacher and participant in the Governor’s Academy for Biology and serves as a Biology High School Assessment (HSA) tutor. Metzgar has been honored as an outstanding science teacher by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) and was nominated for a Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. In her letter of recommendation, Westlake Principal Chrystal Benson said Metzgar is a key member of the Westlake faculty. “As a member of Westlake’s core instructional team, he has a very keen insight on the formative assessments needed in order for the students to perform well on summative assessments,” Benson wrote.
The Board honors several exemplary employees each month.
Charles County Public Schools provides 26,300 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 36 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.