Seven exemplary Charles County Public Schools employees were honored by the Board of Education on May 10. Honored were Shirley Foster, Jaime Wright, Christine Krebeck, Jennifer DeAtley, Timothy Cerutti, Margaret Woodley and Earl Harrod.
Foster is a language arts teacher at Matthew Henson Middle School. She was nominated for recognition for initiating a workshop program for parents, for serving as a mentor to new teachers and for being a diligent supporter of students. Foster hosts the “Donuts for Dads and Muffins for Moms” program each year, which is a workshop that gives parents the opportunity to hear presentations on topics such as learning styles, study skills and reading strategies. Foster has taught with Charles County Public Schools for 21 years and uses her experience to focus on increasing language arts skills among her students. She sponsors the school’s drama club and assists with the Living History Museum project, as well as serves on the Minority Achievement Committee. She also supports youth-oriented programs such as Shop with a Cop and Angel Tree, and participates in summer school sessions. Sonia Jones, Henson’s acting principal, said Foster is an educator who demonstrates a strong commitment to student success. “The impact she is making on the students at Henson to create lifelong learners and great citizens can only enhance our communities. She is truly a valuable asset to our school, staff and students,” Jones wrote in a nomination letter.
Wright is a physical education teacher at Indian Head Elementary School. He was nominated for recognition for encouraging physical fitness and positive behavior, for coordinating family fitness nights and for his ability to provide creative lessons for his students. Wright provides his students with opportunities to learn healthy habits and develop positive social interaction. He demonstrates professional growth by attending the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) national conferences and is a member of the physical education steering committee. He demonstrates strong leadership skills and serves as the school bus coordinator, leader of the safety and emergency preparedness team and is the designated administrator for the school in the absence of the principal and vice principal. Indian Head Principal Toni Melton-Trainor said Wright is a role model for students and staff. “He builds comradery among staff and is always dependable. He provides our students with endless opportunities to learn about physical fitness, as well as academic and social skills that integrate into the classroom,” Melton-Trainor wrote in a nomination letter.
Krebeck is a science teacher at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School. She was nominated for recognition for displaying a positive attitude, for delivering exciting and interesting lesson plans and for fostering critical thinking in the classroom. Krebeck focuses on building classroom discussion and teamwork among her students. Her students often work in groups to read aloud and conduct experiments, and listen to their classmates who offer problem solving options and feedback. Krebeck takes time to listen to her students and provides them with opportunities to learn with and from each other. Mitchell Principal Linda Gill said Krebeck is an outstanding teacher who loves to learn. “She is an extraordinary wealth of knowledge, and demonstrates outstanding lesson planning skills and critical assessment abilities. She is a shining example of a teacher who loves learning,” Gill wrote in a nomination letter.
DeAtley is a reading resource teacher at Mary B. Neal Elementary School. She was nominated for recognition for her dedication to the school’s reading program, for monitoring and organizing interventions and displaying an outstanding work et
