AESI - AESI Helps Sponsor Educators of the Year Awards

		AESI Helps Sponsor Educators of the Year Awards Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Top Educators in County For Immediate Release: Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Top Educators in County - Awards Best of College, Private Schools, and Public Schools (HAGERSTOWN, MD April 24, 2003) - The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce held the annual Educators of the Year Award Banquet. Colleges, private schools and the Washington County Public Schools participated in the joint awards program. According to Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jim Pierne, "It's important to our community that we recognize the best in teaching and administration of all of our educational institutions. What a wonderful event, honoring the best teachers of the public and private schools, the best professors of our colleges, and our county's top administrators. It is exciting to see such excellence in education." More than 250 people attended Thursday evening's event, held at the Four Points by Sheraton - Hagerstown. According to enrollment statistics, more than 32,700 students attend schools in Washington County (including private, public, and colleges). Chamber of Commerce President Fred Teeter said, "All of the honored teachers and administrators share one trait, and that is their love of teaching. The Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to be involved in this worthwhile effort of recognizing excellence in education in Washington County." Pamela Michael, a Reading Teacher at Winter Street Elementary School in Hagerstown, was named the Washington County Public Schools Teacher of the Year 2003. Ms. Michael received a plaque, the use of a 2003 Honda Accord EX from Hagerstown Honda-KIA, including full monthly maintenance services and a total mileage limit of 15,000 miles, checks totaling $1,100, and other prizes. Ms. Michael will advance to the Maryland State level Teacher of the Year competition this May. Principal Ellen Hayes nominated Ms. Michael, along with fellow teachers, parents, administrators, and the Washington County Reading Council. Pamela Michael has been a public school teacher in Washington County for the past 15 years, and she has also taught at HCC and FCC. In addition to teaching, Ms. Michael is involved with various outside organizations and volunteers many hours. She received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Hood College. A team of judges from the private and professional education sector reviewed all of the nominations, and selected Pamela Michael as Teacher of the Year. Outstanding Educators who were fellow finalists for the Teacher of the Year were Deborah Zacher, Rebecca Cline, John Evans, and Robert Hovermale. A total of thirty Washington County Public Schools' educators were honored as Outstanding Educators: Elementary School Nominees were Rebecca Bland (Bester Elementary), Annette Mummert (Bester Elementary), Deborah Zacher (Bester Elementary), John Miller (Boonsboro Elementary), Wendy Murphy (Boonsboro Elementary), Linda Stump (Boonsboro Elementary), Rebecca Cline (Clear Spring Elementary), Kari Kitts (Fountain Elementary), Lura Clingerman (Hickory Elementary), Stephanie Tracy (Hickory Elementary), and Pamela Michael (Winter Street Elementary). Middle School Nominees were Allen Haines (Boonsboro Middle), Susan Schaefer (Boonsboro Middle), Timothy Ackinclose (Clear Spring Middle), Ruth Stenger (Clear Spring Middle), John Evans (Smithsburg Middle), Linda Nairn (Smithsburg Middle), Kristin Ganoe (Western Heights Middle), Kelly Miller (Western Heights Middle), Peggy Pugh (Western Heights Middle), and Catherine Siepielski (Western Heights Middle). High School and other Nominees were Mary Brown (Clear Spring High), Robert Hovermale (Washington County Board of Education), Paul Newman (Washington County Job Development Center), and Steve Frame (Washington County Technical High). Administrative and other educator nominees were Cynthia Glass (Bester Elementary), April Bishop (Boonsboro Middle), Sue Gordon (Conococheague Elementary), Leslie Hobbs (Washington County Board of Education), and the Administrator of the Year was Yogi Martin (Washington County Board of Education). There were ten Private School Educators honored: Paula Bright (Broadfording Christian Academy), Rob Culler (Broadfording Christian Academy), Pam Cook (Broadfording Christian Academy), Christy Spicher (Broadfording Christian Academy), Renee Peterson (Grace Academy), Rosalind Renner (Grace Academy), Yvonne Bell (Laurel Bell), Katie Donia (Laurel Hall School), Robert Lund (Laurel Hall School), and Sam Cuthbert (St. Maria Goretti). The five finalists were: Christy Spicher, Renee Peterson, Yvonne Bell, Katie Donia, and Robert Lund. Grace Academy's Renee Peterson was named the Private School Teacher of the Year, and received a beautiful educator's chair, a check for $500, and various prizes from area businesses. Grace Academy's Principal, Rev. Lynn Wakefield nominated Ms. Peterson for the award, along with fellow teachers and parents. Ms. Peterson received her bachelors degree from Towson State University, and is due to graduate with a masters degree from Frostburg State University in 2004. She is involved in several community activities. Mr. Charles Wainwright was selected as the Private Schools Administrator of the Year. Mr. Wainwright is the Executive Director of the Surrey Child Care Center. Three colleges were represented at the awards banquet, and the three winners of the College Educator of the Year Award were: Dr. Melanie Bierman (Frostburg University Center), Ms. Christy Hummer (Hagerstown Business College), and D. Lamar Creager, M.Ed. (Hagerstown Community College). Each winner was presented with a check, various gifts from area businesses, and an educator's chair from their college President. This year's business sponsors are Hagerstown Honda/Hagerstown KIA, The Herald-Mail Company, Farmers & Merchants Bank and Trust, Allfirst, APPLES for Children, Inc., Associated Engineering Sciences, Inc., Callas Contractors, Inc., CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Citicorp Credit Services, Inc., City of Hagerstown - Mayor and City Council, Daycon Products Co., Inc. - Hagerstown, Eaton Corporation, Ellsworth Electric, First National Bank of Greencastle, Friends for John J. Hafer c/o James P. McFarland, Frostburg University Center, Fujicolor Processing, Inc., Hagerstown Trust Company, Hagerstown/Washington County Industrial Foundation, Inc., Head Start of Washington County, Inc., Homeplace Everlasting, Mack Trucks, Inc., My Bank! First United Bank and Trust, Myerly & Lowe Photography, Myers Building Systems, Planet Technologies, Schmankerl Stube, St. Lawrence Cement, Specialty Business Supplies, The Mental Health Center, Thomas, Bennett & Hunter, Inc., Verizon, Washington County Free Library, Washington County Health System, Inc., and the Washington County Teacher Association. Prizes were donated by: Hagerstown Honda/Hagerstown KIA, Outback Steakhouse, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Four Points by Sheraton – Hagerstown, Nick’s Airport Inn, Fazoli’s, Rocco’s Italian Family restaurant, The Grill at Park Circle, Tony’s Pizza, House of Kobe, Uno Chicago Bar & Grille, Martin’s Food Market, Weis Markets, Inc., Dr. Rose Wood – Eyecare Professionals, Eagle Air, Inc., Baltimore Street Station, Potomac Studio Day Spa, Rapid Lube, Gold’s Gym & Aerobic Center, WCPS Transportation Department, and Sagittarius. The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce's Business-Education Partnerships Committee organized the event. Judges included Committee Chair John Peckyno, Teresa Barr, Linda Fernandez, and Vicki Follett (WCPS Teacher of the Year 2002). Michele Wills of the Herald-Mail Company was the event committee chairman. Tom Riford served as banquet Master of Ceremonies. # # # # << back to news