Mark Wanamaker of Bayside Toyota, left, presents Calvert County 2016 Teacher of the Year Donna M. Miller with the keys to her car.
Chesapeake Beach, MD – A middle school science teacher who has been recognized by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) has been selected as Calvert County’s top educator for 2016. During its annual ceremony in Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) honored 49 employees—24 teachers and 25 educational support persons—who were nominated for the high honors.
Donna M. Miller of Windy Hill Middle School (WHMS) was selected by a six-member panel to be 2016 Teacher of the Year. Last year, NSTA selected the 28-year teaching veteran as a member of the Northrup Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy.
In accepting the honor, Miller thanked WHMS Principal James Kurtz and CCPS Supervisor of Instruction JoAnn Roberts, who she identified as “the one who always pushed me to do more.”
Miller told The BayNet that she started her teaching career in New York before moving to Calvert County.
A panel of judges also selected the 2016 Educational Support Person of the Year. The honoree is Carole J. Butler, an instructional assistant at Northern Middle School (NMS). Butler’s nomination summary noted her proficiency in technology and her involvement in NMS extracurricular activities. The latter includes her sponsorship of the NMS “Math Counts” team. During her acceptance speech, Butler mentioned that it was during a Math Counts competition over a decade ago in which her sons were involved that she was approached by then-NMS Principal Susan Johnson about applying for an instructional assistant’s job.
“I know from personal experience what a positive impact the educators in this county have on the kids,” said Butler. “I feel honored that I am now considered one of those educators.”
In addition to instructional assistants, educational support staff includes secretaries, custodians, safety advocates and nurses. Calvert County remains one of the few Maryland jurisdictions to formally and—quite lavishly—honor the top performers among the ranks of school support staff.
About 10 years ago, with the support of the local business community, CCPS began honoring the year’s top teachers and support staff at banquets held at the Rod ‘N’ Reel restaurant. Just a few years ago the ceremonies were combined. The event is organized and coordinated by CCPS Director of Human Resources Dr. Victoria Karol and her department staff.
Each of the teacher and support staff honorees received a plaque and gift. Additional gifts were awarded by community sponsors.
For Miller there is a next level of competition. She is now a candidate for Maryland Teacher of the Year and will be representing Calvert at a variety of statewide functions in the months to come. The state’s top teacher will be announced this fall at a black tie affair in Baltimore. The honoree will vie for National Teacher of the Year.
“Just enjoy the ride,” Robert James, Calvert’s 2015 Teacher of the Year advised the nominees prior to the announcement of the 2016 selection. The “ride” includes a free car for the next two years, courtesy of Bayside Toyota. The vehicle is tagged with the words that identify the driver as the teacher of the year, something James said would bring the honoree instant celebrity “whether you like it or not. But the car is worth it!”
James, who teaches history at Huntingtown High School, joked “it takes a little more time” to drive to his job driving a high profile vehicle.
“Collectively, our job is the education of our children,” said Sharon Kruder, CCPS’ 2015 Education Support Person of the Year. The Calvert High School (CHS) instructional assistant said CCPS employees are charged with being “a mature and mentoring person.”
Calvert County Commissioners’ Vice President Tom Hejl [R – At large] told the audience his daughter is a teacher and “I know first-hand what she does every day and it’s impressive.” Hejl admitted the county’s educators are underpaid and drew applause when he declared “we hope to start remedying that in the future.” For the upcoming fiscal year 2017, all CCPS employees have been promised a modest pay step increase.
During the program the attendees were entertained by CHS student Andre Jones, who sang the Rolf Lovland-Brendan Graham song “You Raise Me Up.”
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
