Prince Frederick, MD – Over 140 employees of Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) were recognized Thursday, Feb. 5 for reaching milestones in their education careers. Employees with 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service in education were feted at CCPS’ 40th annual Service Awards held at Calvert High School (CHS) Atrium.
Director of Human Resources Dr. Victoria D. Karol said, combined, the honorees have logged 3,600 years of service to education.
It has been the tradition of CCPS to honor employees for the entirety of their education careers, regardless of whether an individual has spent his or her entire time working for the Calvert County system.
Assistant Superintendent of Administration Anthony Navarro began his career in 1972 teaching at a Prince George’s County elementary school, earning an annual salary of $6,000. His Calvert County career began in 1984 after he and his family moved to the county. He first taught at Beach Elementary School (BES), then Sunderland Elementary School, served as a vice principal at Patuxent Elementary School prior to returning to BES as a vice principal. In 1999, Navarro was named principal of Mount Harmony Elementary School where he served his longest stint for CCPS. After one year as principal of the Calvert Career Center (now known as the Career and Technology Academy) Navarro left the school system. When Nancy Highsmith was named interim superintendent of schools during the summer of 2013, Navarro returned to CCPS to serve in his present capacity.
“His collaborative approach and high expectations enhance the delivery of instruction,” Karol stated. “He mentors administrative staff effectively and capitalizes on staff strengths.”
Laveeta Hutchins, who currently serves as the Department of Human Resources’ supervisor, began her education career in Calvert County in 1975. Hutchins said she was hired as part of Mutual Elementary School’s (MES) teaching staff before construction of the Port Republic facility was completed. While awaiting the project’s completion and occupation of the new school, the staff taught students at the old Island Creek School on Broomes Island Road. “That was exciting,” said Hutchins of the eventual move into MES. In 1989 she became vice principal at MES and two years later served in that capacity at Huntingtown Elementary School.
From 1996 to 2004 Hutchins was principal of Windy Hill Elementary School and then served eight years as CCPS’ supervisor of Elementary Curriculum. In 2013 she began her ongoing services as the Human Resources Department’s supervisor.
When asked if she has any immediate retirement plans, Hutchins said she did not and plans to keep working “two more years at least.” She said “from time to time” she encounters former students at various places in the community and even in the workplace, where a few have become CCPS teachers.
Other 40-year education veterans saluted by CCPS were Beryl Bishop, who has spent her Calvert career as an instructional assistant at Appeal Elementary School (AES); Angela S. D’Alonzo, a BES teacher; building service worker Robert Esworthy, who has spent the last 23 years at Plum Point Elementary School; and building service worker Daniel Gross, who has spent his career at AES.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel D. Curry, who gave recipients a fist bump (due to his heavily bandaged right hand) when each attendee came up to receive his or her milestone gift, indicated he was impressed with the dedication and longevity of the honored employees.
“So much wisdom represented,” Curry declared. “Hopefully, your work has been one of joy.”
The CHS Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Color Guard presented the colors while the CHS Chamber Choir sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” Two musical selections were performed by CHS Musical Theatre.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
