Teachers honored

Twenty-three Prince William County Public School teachers who earned National Board certification or recertification in 2010 and another 18 teachers nominated this year for “The Washington Post” Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award were recognized at a School Board reception on February 8 at the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center in Prince William County.

School Board Chairman At-Large Milton C. Johns addressed the audience, saying, “It is teachers who, each and every day, touch the lives of our children. They are the ones who can truly make a difference. Teachers have a tremendous affect on students; theirs is an awesome responsibility.”

Johns, along with Vice Chairman Don Richardson (Gainesville), Lisa E. Bell (Neabsco), Betty D. Covington (Dumfries), Dr. Michael I. Otaigbe (Coles), and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven L. Walts were in attendance at the event. Guests were entertained during the reception by the Woodbridge High School String Ensemble under the direction of Taryn Wood. The ceremony began with two short musical pieces by “JAMMIN’ in the Jungle,” a xylophone ensemble made up of fifth-graders from Williams Elementary School under the direction of Tim Wilson.

Superintendent Walts commended the honorees, saying, “The teachers you will meet here tonight are, in a word, awesome…Each and every one of these teachers is part of the remarkable team that is providing a world-class education to the students of Prince William County Public Schools.”

National Board Certification indicates that teachers have met a set of standards established by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards that define the knowledge, skills, and accomplishments that comprise teaching excellence. Teachers who earn their National Board Certification receive a $2,000 stipend from Prince William County Public Schools for each year of the certificate, which is good for 10 years and can be renewed.

The Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award program was established by The Washington Post Educational Foundation to recognize teachers who exemplify excellence in their profession. The newspaper will announce 20 winners in March, one representing the private schools and 19 representing the public school systems of the Washington metropolitan area. Each award winner will receive $3,000 from The Washington Post Educational Foundation.

-Submitted