THE GAZETTE
Page B-6
Some 124,000 Ballots Cast in The Gazette My Favorite Teacher Program By Karen Finucan Clarkson Special to The Gazette “This is an opportunity to celebrate the absolute best in Prince George’s County – those educators who day in and day out are doing amazing things in their classrooms,” said Christian Rhodes, education policy advisor to Rushern L. Baker, III, the county’s executive. Rhodes, who has visited each of the schools where the winners of this year’s My Favorite Teacher contest are employed, noted the outstanding work these educators are doing to ensure the success of their students. Rhodes’ comments came during a December 3 awards ceremony at the Prince George’s Community College Marlboro Gallery for the winners of The Gazette’s sixth annual My Favorite Teacher contest. Surrounded by college students’ works of art, family, friends, students, school administrators and staff, and sponsors from the local business community gathered to honor this year’s three winning educators. The contest – also held in Montgomery County – began in September when The Gazette asked students to nominate their favorite teachers. The newspaper selected finalists at the elementary-, middle-
With four public charter schools in Prince George’s County, Imagine Schools offers parents throughout the county an alternative to the traditional public education model. A third-year My Favorite Teacher sponsor, Imagine
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Thursday, December 12, 2013 bo
An apple for the winners of The Gazette’s 2013 My Favorite Teacher program. From left to right: Darrell Holloman II, a social studies teacher at Bishop McNamara High School; Sis. Portia Yvette Clare, a second grade teacher at From the Heart Christian School; and Brad Brown, a language arts and reading teacher at The Chelsea School.
and high-school levels based on the most compelling student essays, and then opened up the voting to the public to select the winners. Ultimately, the contest drew some 500 nominations in the two counties and garnered more than 124,000 online votes. Prince George’s County selected Portia Yvette Clare, an elementary school teacher at From the Heart Christian School in Suitland; Brad Brown, a middle school language arts and reading teacher at Chelsea School in Hyattsville; and Darrell Holloman II, a social studies teacher at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville. On hand to present the awards were Shawn Toler, regional director of Imagine Prince George’s County, the My Favorite Teacher platinum sponsor; Lola Singletary, marketing director, Chick-fil-A at Capital Centre and Steeplechase, the elementary school sponsor; LeAmber Howell, representative for MGM National Harbor, the middle school sponsor; and Vic Samuels, vice president, community relations, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, the high school sponsor.
Schools views the program as “an excellent way to engage our community and highlight the outstanding work that so many of our teachers are doing each day,” says Shawn Toler, regional director. As part of a national public charter school family, Imagine Schools partners with parents and guardians in the education of their children by providing high quality schools that prepare students for lives of leadership, accomplishment, and exemplary character.
In addition to receiving verbal accolades from the sponsors, the teachers were presented with the My Favorite Teacher signature award, a stunning glass apple mounted on an inscribed base. They were surprised and thrilled when Doug S. Hayes, associate publisher of The Gazette and The Star, presented them with generous gifts – including a $350 check from The Gazette, free massage and facial from Massage Envy; $50 from Safeway; $25 gift certificate from Buffalo Wild Wings, a party-platter gift certificate from Chick-fil-A; and four tickets to Nolan Williams, Jr.’s Christmas Gift! at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Students received a gift bag with similar gifts from Chick-fil-A, Safeway, Buffalo Wild Wings and the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. During the ceremony, students read the essays they submitted online nominating the winning teachers. Their words resonated with the sponsors, educators and parents alike. For additional details about The Gazette My Favorite Teacher contest go to www.gazette.net.
While each school is uniquely tailored both in curriculum and structure, the integration of character development and academics sets Imagine campuses apart. Imagine Schools uses six Measures of Excellence to evaluate the effectiveness of each charter school: parent choice, academic achievement, character development, shared values, economic sustainability, and new school development. The work at Imagine Schools is guided by three shared values: integrity, justice, and fun. Teachers and school leaders are squarely in charge of the decisions affecting the schools and students they serve.
For more information, visit the websites of or call the individual schools: Imagine Andrews Public Charter School Joint Base Andrews 301-350-6002 | www.imagineandrews.org Imagine Foundations Public Charter School Upper Marlboro 301-808-4003 | www.imaginefoundations.org Imagine Foundations II Public Charter School Morningside 301-817-0544 | www.imaginefoundations2.org Imagine Lincoln Public Charter School Temple Hills 301-808-5600 | www.imaginelincoln.org