Baltimore County Public Schools
2013-2014
Teacher of the Year
Ceremony
May 6, 2013
George Washington Carver Center
for Arts & Technology
Baltimore County Board of Education
Lawrence E. Schmidt, Esq.
President
Valerie A. Roddy
Vice President
S. Dallas Dance, Ph.D.
Secretary-Treasurer
Members
Michael H. Bowler
Cornelia Bright Gordon, Esq.
Michael J. Collins
Rodger C. Janssen
Charles McDaniels, Jr.
George J. Moniodis
H. Edward Parker
David Uhlfelder, PA
Romaine N. Williams, Esq.
Olivia Adams (student)
Congratulations
to all the nominees
and finalists!
Teacher of the Year Package
program
$1,000 for classroom supplies & technology
The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc.
Music ........................................... Loch Raven High School String Quartet
Edward R. Goldstein, Director
Dell Laptop
Data Systems
Welcome ................................................................ Todd Porter, Emcee
1-year gym membership
Brick Bodies
Professional development conference attendance
BCPS Professional Development
Weekend stay at the Crowne Plaza
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
Dedicated Teacher of the Year parking spot
BCPS Physical Facilities
Symphony tickets
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Gift certificate & basket
American Visionary Arts Museum
Gift certificate & basket
National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD
Gift certificate
The Manor Tavern
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Teacher of the Year Selection Process
The 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year was selected by a committee comprised of
students, teachers, principals, administrators and stakeholders, including a
representative from the Teachers Association of Baltimore County. Teachers
were nominated by their principals and then narrowed to a group of finalists
based on seven criteria: student engagement; teaching and learning; leadership;
technology; respect of colleagues; contribution to teaching profession; and
community involvement. Interviews were conducted with each finalist to
determine the 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year.
Pledge of Allegiance & National Anthem ............................ Tres McMichael,
George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology
Greetings from the Board of Education ................. Lawrence E. Schmidt, Esq,
President of the Board
Remarks ...................................................................... Orrester Shaw,
Representing County Executive Kevin Kamenetz
Remarks .............................................. Dr. S. Dallas Dance, Superintendent
Announcement of the 2013-2014 Principal of the Year
Remarks ................................................. 2013-2014 Principal of the Year
Presentation of Teacher of the Year Nominees
Reading ............................................. Johana Gourdin, Dulaney High School
Introduction of 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year finalists............Brittany Benner,
Chesapeake High School
Will Erdman,
Riderwood Elementary School
Khoriana Wyatt,
Johnnycake Elementary School
Miguel Nazario,
Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
Collin Stiers,
Cockeysville Middle School
Remarks ................................................................... Angela Rountree,
2012-2013 Baltimore County Public Schools Teacher of the Year
Announcement of the 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year
Remarks .................................................. 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year
Conclusion
2013-2014 Principal of the Year Nominees
Brent Grabill, Arbutus Elementary
Dwight Easterly, Battle Monument
Vicky Ciulla, Berkshire Elementary
Michael Thorne, Catonsville Middle
Bonnie Hess, Chadwick Elementary
Marsha Ayres, Charlesmont Elementary
Renee Johnson, Chesapeake Terrace Elementary
Kevin Connelly, Colgate Elementary
Paul Shouldice, Dundalk High
Thomas Evans, Eastern Technical High
Yasmine Stokes, Edmondson Heights Elementary
Amy Grabner, Essex Elementary
Karen Harris, Fort Garrison Elementary
Charlyne Maul, Franklin Middle
Anissa Brown Dennis, Gunpowder Elementary
Patricia Kaiser, Hampton Elementary
Yvonne Barhight, Hawthorne Elementary
Bonnie Lambert, Loch Raven High
Steve Buettner, Lutherville Laboratory
Kevin Lindsey, McCormick Elementary
Beth Strauss, New Town Elementary
Samuel Mustipher, New Town High
Patrice Goldys, Norwood Elementary
Marcia Wolf, Orems Elementary
Elizabeth Parker, Overlea High
Ryan Imbriale, Patapsco High
George Roberts, Perry Hall High
Allen Zink, Perry Hall Middle
Sandra Reid, Pine Grove Middle
Edmund Bennett, Ridge Ruxton
Mary Maddox, Riverview Elementary
Karen Barnes, Southwest Academy
Jane Barranger, Towson High
Anne Gold, Vincent Farm Elementary
Susan Hershfeld, West Towson Elementary
Marguerite DeCrispino, Westchester Elementary
Murray Parker, Western School of Technology
Maralee Clark, Woodhome Elementary
Brian Scriven, Woodlawn High
Edith Howard, Woodmore Elementary
the Year Nominees
Kate Bonning, Sparrows Point Middle
Deborah Mintzell, Stemmers Run Middle
Kelly Ronson, Stoneleigh Elementary
Timothy Brocato, Summit Park Elementary
Nancy Schlenoff, Sussex Elementary
Diana Tedesco, Timber Grove Elementary
Caryl Connor, Timonium Elementary
Christine Roberts, Towson High
Linda Gaylor, Victory Villa Elementary
Magan Chyko-Leigh, Villa Cresta Elementary
Stewart Emmerich, Vincent Farm Elementary
Cynthia Bands, Warren Elementary
Rachel Zeller, Wellwood International Elementary
Bethany Birago, Western School of Technology
Renee Whelehan, West Towson Elementary
Andrea Gibble, Westchester Elementary
Amy Spencer, Westowne Elementary
Terri Janiak, White Oak School
Gerald Oehler, Windsor Mill Middle
Kari Kuehn, Winfield Elementary
Jessica Campbell, Woodbridge Elementary
Melissa Daniels, Woodholme Elementary
Amy Davis, Woodmoor Elementary
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“It is the supreme art of the teacher
to awaken joy in creative expression
and knowledge.”
Albert Einstein
2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4 T e ac h e r o f
Lisa Feidler, Arbutus Elementary
Kelly Boyle, Arbutus Middle
Sandra Rodriguez, Baltimore Highlands Elementary
Heather Imirie, Battle Grove Elementary
Tamara Cole, Battle Monument Resource Center
Erica Blouin, Bear Creek Elementary
Tonia Roberts, Bedford Elementary
Danielle Raut, Berkshire Elementary
Bonnie Rowe, Campfield Early Childhood Center
Rachel Single, Carney Elementary
Jill Vengerik, Carroll Manor Elementary
Nicole White, Catonsville Elementary
Debbie Stephens, Catonsville High
Charlotte Forman, Cedarmere Elementary
Alison Benkovic, Chadwick Elementary
Diana Ciccotelli, Chapel Hill Elementary
Heather Young, Charlesmont Elementary
Jude Silverman, Chase Elementary
Kristin Bull, Chatsworth Elementary
Michelle Baskin, Church Lane Elementary
Laura Marvin-Basta, Colgate Elementary
Michelle Classon, Cromwell Valley Elementary
Valerie Luddy, Deep Creek Elementary
Nakia Younger, Deep Creek Middle
Christopher Baker, Deer Park Elementary
Laura Rode, Dogwood Elementary
Eric Adams, Dumbarton Middle
Beth Thompson, Dundalk Elementary
Rhonda Footman-Jackson, Eastwood Center
Elementary
Rebecca Dow, Edgemere Elementary
Kristin Weston, Edmondson Heights Elementary
Calvin Statham, Elmwood Elementary
Susan Neumeister, Essex Elementary
Joan Mickiewicz, Featherbed Lane Elementary
Tracey Schultz, Fifth District Elementary
Bre Marsh, Fort Garrison Elementary
Linda DeCarlo, Franklin Elementary
Jackie Gordon, Franklin Middle
Tara Jones, Fullerton Elementary
Jason Adams, General John Stricker Middle
Shelbi Bardoff, Glenmar Elementary
Jill Snell, Glyndon Elementary
Amy Wesloski, Golden Ring Middle
Danielle Gemmell, Halethorpe Elementary
Jen Mesaros, Harford Hills Elementary
Candice Beizavi, Hawthorne Elementary
Fay Davenport, Hebbville Elementary
Wendy Schanberger, Hereford Middle
Tricia Denholm, Hereford High
Mia Allen, Hernwood Elementary
Kate Jaudon, Hillcrest Elementary
Mary Lou Shears, Holabird Middle
Nicole Keen, Jacksonville Elementary
Mary Goetschuis, Joppa View Elementary
Michael Cooney, Lansdowne Elementary
Luisa Renzi, Mars Estates Elementary
Anita Bondarenko, McCormick Elementary
Jamie Drury, Middle River Middle
Eric Nowicki, Milbrook Elementary
Mary Ches, New Town Elementary
Jennifer Hoer, Norwood Elementary
Stacey Bentley, Oliver Beach Elementary
Molly Glassman, Padonia International
Elementary
Kathryn Knight, Parkville Middle
Carrie Smith, Perry Hall Elementary
Stephanie Wienhold, Perry Hall High
Jennifer Givens, Pikesville Middle
Vernon Fains, Pine Grove Middle
Avenia (Kerry) Raup, Pleasant Plains Elementary
Elizabeth Soper, Pot Spring Elementary
Thesha Lewis, Powhatan Elementary
Jean Dixon, Prettyboy Elementary
Betsy Book, Randallstown Elementary
Megan Higdon, Red House Run Elementary
Pam Szeliga, Relay Elementary
Stephanie Fanshaw, Ridgely Middle
Kristin Toth, Riverview Elementary
Katie Lark, Rodgers Forge Elementary
Caitlin Lalia, Sandalwood Elementary
Corinne Goddard, Sandy Plains Elementary
Erika Moore-Thames, Scotts Branch Elementary
Jordan Bach, Seneca Elementary
Jon Reed, Seventh District Elementary
Lois Edwards, Shady Spring Elementary
Kim Miller, Southwest Academy
Melinda Hoffman, Sparks Elementary
2013-2014 Principal of the Year Finalists
Bonnie Hess
Chadwick Elementary
Yasmine Stokes
Edmondson Heights Elementary
Karen Harris
Fort Garrison Elementary
Yvonne Barhight
Hawthorne Elementary
Bonnie Lambert
Loch Raven High
Beth Strauss
New Town Elementary
George Roberts
Perry Hall High
Anne Gold
Vincent Farm Elementary
2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4 T e ac h e r o f t h e Y e a r F i n a l i s t s
Andrea Bissell, Chesapeake High School
In her nearly six years at Chesapeake High School, Andrea has
made a significant impact on students both inside the classroom, where she’s a dedicated algebra and AP calculus
teacher, and out in the world, where she spends one weekend
a month giving her students life experiences as a Girls Empowerment Mission (GEM) group leader with the Living Classrooms Foundation. Andrea sees both environments as key to
student success, saying, “It’s my responsibility to prepare my
students to be successful members of the 21st-century global
workforce. We need to take students where they are and move them beyond where
they ever thought they could be.” Andrea holds a bachelor’s degree in integrated mathematics from Kent State University and a graduate certificate in leadership and technology integration from Johns Hopkins University.
Lynn Detter, Riderwood Elementary School
After spending nearly a decade as an accountant, Lynn Detter
became a teacher because she wanted to leave an imprint on
the world. Now, she does just that as a 4th-grade teacher,
where she sets a high bar for her classroom with the goal of
creating not just great students but great thinkers. Lynn has
spent 11 of her 13 years as a teacher at Riderwood Elementary
School, where she’s organized volunteer activities and served
as faculty advisor to the Student Council. She says, “More than
ever, it is of paramount importance for teachers to develop a
relevant, student-centered learning environment. It is only through teamwork and
practice coupled with trial and error that the young mind becomes comfortable and
confident with problem solving.” Lynn holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from
Pennsylvania State University and a master’s of science from McDaniel College.
Cara Detwiler, Johnnycake Elementary School
You might call it a homecoming: Cara Detwiler has spent the
last seven years of her nine-year teaching career in the same
elementary school she attended as a child. Striving to make a
difference in her community by “honoring the light” in each of
her 4th-grade students, Cara says, “I consciously endeavor to
make my classroom a space that is safe and comfortable for
risk-taking in learning. I aim to provide daily enriching and
dynamic experiences in my classroom.” Cara also provides
those experiences outside the classroom as a member of her
school’s Literacy Leadership Team and the director of the school’s A Cappella club.
Cara holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a certification in elementary education
from St. Mary’s College of Maryland; this May she will complete her master’s in leadership in teaching at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Sean McComb, Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
As an English teacher, and AVID coordinator, Sean stays with
many of his students from 9th grade through graduation. In
the process, for many students he becomes not only a teacher
but a mentor who facilitates discussions on gratitude while
serving meals to the homeless and promotes social media
responsibility through Twitter chats. During his seven years
at Patapsco, Sean has worked to create stronger English curriculum guides to support instruction and helped his students
build a “Teacher of the Month” initiative to highlight outstanding educators in the school. He says “the hallmarks of my learning activities are a
focus on intentional skill-building through backward mapping, allowing student choice
to encourage ownership and authenticity through real world connections.” Sean holds a
bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh.
Kay Soonfah-Senior, Cockeysville Middle School
Kay Soonfah-Senior has been a teacher for 35 years. During
that time, she’s developed a myriad of lessons and techniques
for helping students in her Spanish classes achieve success in
meeting the high expectations she holds for them. Some of
those lessons and techniques are inside the classroom, where
Kay is a teaching mentor and has an open door policy for
teachers to observe her and share recommendations. Some
are outside of the classroom, where she’s led an after-school
prayer group for those in need of spiritual support. She
says,“My greatest reward is students’ success and the development of a deep love for
knowledge, foreign languages and diverse cultures.” Kay holds a bachelor’s degree from
the University of the West Indies and a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts -- Amherst.