THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, December 11, 2013 p
High School
WINNER Roberta (Bobbie) Russell Professional Restaurant Management Teacher Damascus High School
Chef is honest with her students; she doesn’t sugarcoat things; she is the only teacher I have ever met that tells it like it is. Chef is the one teacher I know that I could go to for anything and she would do everything in her power to make sure my problem was solved. Chef takes the teacher-student relationship to the next level. Gabriella Delpo, 10th Grade
This year’s top vote getter and the first teacher to be named My Favorite Teacher for a second time, Roberta (Bobbie) Russell says she is “touched, honored, and so flattered that my students feel this way about me.” This award means more to Russell than any professional recognition “because it is from my students who nominated and voted for me. It is awards such as this that keep me working despite being in chronic pain that was caused by a work-related accident in 2010.” Russell, a teacher for 13 years, holds a B.A. in liberal arts/education with a minor in special education from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and master’s equivalency from Trinity College in education/special education. She attended L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg and took additional graduate classes at Johnson and Wales in Providence, Rhode Island. Known as Chef to students at Damascus High School, Russell became a teacher because, “I wanted to do something that would make a positive difference in the lives of young people. Everyone had a teacher who inspired them and encouraged them during the difficult teenage years. I wanted to be that person. I believe that I have reaped more rewards as a teacher than I would have in any other profession.” A native of New Orleans, Russell and her husband Ken have lived in Maryland for 19 years. They have five children – all graduates of Montgomery County Public Schools – ranging in age from 32 to 22. “I am very proud of all of them for their achievements.”
HIGH SCHOOL SPONSOR
“A
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s a school, we appreciate and support the efforts of teachers at every level and type of educational institution,” says Alyssa Jahn, director of admission and financial aid at Barrie School. At the Silver Spring school – a My Favorite Teacher sponsor – teachers actively engage the minds, hands and hearts of students. “Barrie’s teachers are the foundation of all that we do, and each one is a favorite of our students and parents in their own right.” Founded in 1932, Barrie is “a center for learning for students ages 18-months through grade 12….We are also a center of excellence in training aspiring educators through our Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies.” The
BARRIE SCHOOL
renowned Barrie Day Camp, located on the school’s 45-acre wooded campus, provides a rare opportunity for children to be themselves, safely explore new things and the outdoor world, spend quality time with friends, and be guided by caring staff. “A Barrie student develops a confident, compassionate voice with an ability to advocate and lead,” notes Charles H. Abelmann, Barrie’s head of school. “This requires being able to think critically and solve problems and knowing how to work both independently and collaboratively in a group. At Barrie, we not only prepare students with skills and knowledge, but also carefully support stewards of our world, who can live fulfilling, joyful lives. Our students learn about the complexity of a world where our interdependencies demand sensitivity to culture.” To learn more, visit www.barrie.org.
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Middle School
WINNER Ashley Tauber Director of Bands and Orchestras Earle B. Wood Middle School
She not only taught me about music but about life…. Her courage and brightness kept me going with music. It helped me pursue what I almost gave up…. She implanted a never-give-up mind set, just from her attitude. I can never show the amount of appreciation I owe her; never could it be described in words. Yuni Higgs, 9th Grade
“It is rare to get a chance to experience, or in this case read about, how deeply you can touch someone else’s life, especially your students who move on to new, stimulating teachers. It is so inspiring to know that the energy, hard work, and patience that we as teachers put in with our students does make a huge difference in their lives,” says Ashley Tauber about the statement that led to her recognition as this year’s middle school My Favorite Teacher. “When I first read Yuni’s essay, I was overwhelmed with her kind words and beautiful writing!” Tauber, an instrumental music teacher at Rockville’s Earle B. Wood Middle School, received her B.M.E. from the University of Maryland and currently is pursuing a master’s in human development in education from the same institution. She anticipates graduating in May. It was Tauber’s own middle-school band director who piqued her interested in music education. “He was the teacher I stayed after school with almost every day, the teacher who showed me the joy in making music on my instrument, and the teacher who inspired me to continue performing. From my own experience as a teacher and his student, nothing compares to the connection you feel to inspirational students and teachers you have for multiple years.” Born and raised in the Manhattan suburb of New Rochelle, N.Y., Tauber is a member of the National Association for Music Education and plays soprano saxophone in the Free State Saxophone Quartet.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPONSOR GERMANTOWN DENTAL
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ducation – vital to the growth of both the individual and society – is infused into the mission and tradition of Germantown Dental & Cosmetic Center. “Education is a continuous part of our philosophy,” says Dr. Ali Alibakhshi, who, along with his staff, provides patients with the latest information concerning oral hygiene and dental and orthodontic care. That knowledge allows patients to make informed decisions regarding their treatment. It was Dr. Alibakhshi’s appreciation of and desire to honor those who “give their all and dedicate themselves to their students” that led to Germantown Dental’s sponsorship of My Favorite Teacher. “Without good teachers, there
would be no good students.” A family-oriented practice, Germantown Dental’s courteous staff and knowledgeable doctors are dedicated to patient comfort. Tenderness and compassion are the hallmarks of this warm and friendly practice, a place where the patient’s needs come first. An attractive smile has myriad benefits, no matter what a person’s age. Studies have shown that smiling not only lifts spirits and relieves stress, but it opens doors, builds rapport, and exudes confidence. Germantown Dental & Cosmetic Center is committed to helping all patients – adults, adolescents and children – achieve the smile they deserve, a healthy beautiful one. To learn more, visit www.germantowndentalgroup.com.