Four Calvert County Public Schools teachers have been named Outstanding Mathematics and Science Teachers by the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). Krystal Butler, Cara Quade, Lori Berth, and Rob Halstead were awarded for their excellence in teaching at a ceremony that recognized educators from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties.
Science teacher Krystal Butler of Northern High School models excellence in and out of the classroom. In the classroom, Ms. Butler engages students to help them learn biology, chemistry, and biomedical sciences. Dr. Yovonda Kolo, the Supervisor of Secondary Science said, “Ms. Butler entered teaching with a dream of saving lives in the medical field; however, on her journey, she found herself saving lives in the classroom.” One of her students said, “Ms. Butler’s creativity is a highlight of her lessons; she involves students within her lessons and keeps everyone on their toes for what may be coming next.”
Mathematics teacher Cara Quade of Windy Hill Elementary School is inspiring, and her passion for teaching and student achievement is unyielding, said her principal Kelly Griffith. According to Jennifer Young, Supervisor of Elementary Mathematics, “Ms. Quade’s classroom environment is structured for success. Her math lessons are specifically designed to ensure that students are engaging with their peers as they tackle challenging and complex problems in strategic and flexible ways. Failure is not an option in Ms. Quade’s classroom.”
“Kids just enjoy math in Lori Berth’s class,” said Supervisor of Secondary Mathematics Joe Sutton, when describing her classroom at Windy Hill Middle School. Her principal, Mr. James Kurtz, shares that Ms. Berth is a gifted, versatile educator who makes a significant impact with advanced learners as well as students with learning difficulties. She is reflective, collaborative, supportive, and caring. Her peers call her a tremendous resource, data-driven, detail-oriented, kind, helpful, and selfless.
Rob Halstead of Northern High has a passion to bring math to all students. Whether teaching Algebra 2 or Calculus 2, he has an ability to engage students in investigating meaningful mathematical questions. His skill goes beyond his classroom, said Mr. Sutton. “When working with his department, math teachers from other buildings, or administrators, Rob has a balance of idealism and realism that helps the adults in the room come to conclusions and action based not only on where we have been, but on where we need to go next.”