Six Charles County Public Schools teachers were recently honored by the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) for their accomplishments in the area of mathematics and science.
Honored as Outstanding Mathematics Teachers of the Year were: Brad Buzby, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School; Linda Breitinger, Piccowaxen Middle School; and Elizabeth Thoma, La Plata High School.
Honored as Outstanding Science Teachers of the Year were: Erin Beauvais, Milton M. Somers Middle School; Carrie Lamb, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School; and Daryl Faustini, Westlake High School.
Buzby teaches fifth-grade accelerated math, geometry, algebraic thinking and problem solving. He creates unique and exciting lessons for his students and encourages them to solve problems using creativity. He promotes teamwork in the classroom to foster learning and provides students with opportunities to work together to solve problems while learning from their peers. Buzby also volunteers to coach the Higdon math team each year and provides guidance to other math coaches in the county.
Breitinger teaches Algebraic Thinking and pre-algebra and is the sixth-grade team leader. She sets high standards for her students and differentiates her methods of instruction to correspond to individual learning styles. She also works with students and staff during her free time and co-teaches and co-plans with other math teachers. Breitinger also works with struggling students to increase their understanding of mathematics concepts and to raise their ability to perform well on assessments. In addition to working with other math teachers at Piccowaxen, Breitinger has also helped write curriculum at the county level.
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Thoma teaches algebra and is an integral part of the La Plata algebra team. She meets with the team regularly to discuss student data, design assessments and schedule support for students who are struggling with algebra. She also works with the algebra team to develop strategies for each student as well as improving lessons and assignments. Thoma is also a member of the school improvement plan committee and helps develop schoolwide improvement plans in all content areas. She has attended the Maryland Governor’s Academy on Algebra and is working on her master’s degree.
Beauvais teaches eighth-grade physical science and has been teaching at Somers since 2006. Her lesson plans and instructional practices address the needs of all students and engages all levels of learners in the curriculum. Most of her lessons are designed to emphasize practical application of scientific concepts through hands-on and interactive processes. Beauvais also hosts after school tutoring sessions, evening programs for parents and works with struggling students or faculty during her free time. She also co-sponsors the Destination Imagination team and led the school’s Green School application process last year.
Lamb teaches sixth- and seventh-grade science and has been teaching at Stoddert since 2009. She approaches her lessons through scientific inquiry which helps students learn critical thinking and problem solving skills. She provides Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based opportunities to her students including guest speakers and Web casts where students can interact with scientists and engineers. She also solicits feedback from her students to better prepare lessons and activities. Lamb is also the sponsor of the school Math Counts team and coordinates the robotics challenge program.
Faustini teaches Biology and has been teaching at Westlake for the past five years. He helps sponsor the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) team and motivates students to do their best. Faustini also works with students in the Advancement Via Individual De
