This Spring students in grades 5-11 will have an opportunity to provide feedback about their school environment, safety, relationships and community through the Maryland School Survey. Learn more at https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DCAA/DataCollections/MarylandSchoolSurvey.aspx
Meet Haley Wright, a first-year teacher at Maple Elementary School and a finalist for Dorchester County Public Schools First Class Teacher of the Year! The 4th grade teacher is from Cambridge, and graduated from Cambridge-South Dorchester High School before heading to Salisbury University where she earned a B.S. in Elementary Education.
Ms. Wright has wanted to be a teacher since she was a little girl, saying that she was inspired by the “wonderful teachers” that she was fortunate enough to have. What has been her biggest takeaway from her rookie year of teaching? “The best way to learn something is from others. Often, we view asking for help as a sign of weakness, but working together and collaborating with my teammates and other colleagues has helped make my first year smoother.” Welcome (back) to Dorchester County Public Schools, Ms. Wright! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
Former Baltimore Oriole B.J. Surhoff and his wife are the parents of four children, one of whom has autism. Twenty-four years ago, the couple joined with a few other families to start Pathfinders for Autism. This organization helps other families who have a child with autism find the support they need, from basic information to special training. DCPS Family Support Services will host B.J. Surhoff at a virtual event on Tuesday, March 26, at 6 pm at which he will talk about his experiences in raising a child with autism as well as services and opportunities offered by Pathfinders for Autism. The interactive session will be held at https://shorturl.at/aevDH. Questions? Contact Kelly Flack at flackk@dcpsmd.org. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
“I chose to become a teacher because I have a deep-seated desire to affect positive change in my community,” says Teacher of the Year finalist Crystal Carpenter. The 21-year teaching veteran has been with Dorchester County Public Schools for 17 years, and all of that at North Dorchester Middle School where this year she teaches 8th grade mathematics, algebra I, and Spanish I. Having grown up in Rhodesdale, Ms. Carpenter graduated from North Dorchester High School and then earned a Bachelor’s degree in PK-12 Health and Physical Education from Frostburg State University and a Master’s degree from Walden University in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.
Ms. Carpenter says her teaching experience has taught her that “educators play a crucial role in fostering resilience and a positive attitude towards setbacks in students . . . Encouraging a mindset that views failure as a steppingstone to growth and innovation can lead to a culture of perseverance and ultimate success.” Thank you for using your experience to encourage DCPS students, Ms. Carpenter! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
Due to lack of a quorum, the Thursday, March 21 meeting of the Board of Education of Dorchester County has been postponed until Monday, March 25, 2024. The open meeting will be held on that date at 3:00 pm at the Central Office of the Board of Education, 700 Glasgow St., Cambridge MD.
Last week Hurlock Elementary School and Dorchester Educators welcomed a special guest in celebration of Read Across America Month! Cheryl Bost, Maryland State Education Association president, visited the school, bringing with her a collection of new books with a grant from the National Education Association as a gift for the schools Media Center. On hand to say hello were representatives of Dorchester Educators, Hurlock Principal Dawn Corkran and reading coach Dr. Rebekah Donovan, DCPS Media Supervisor Theresa Connors and – most importantly – the 3rd grade class who got first look at the new books and were treated to a read-aloud by Ms. Bost. Hurlock’s Keeper of the Books, Meredith Thompson, a nominee for Maryland School Librarian of the Year, is shown with a couple of the new titles, as she prepares the books for children’s use. Thank you, MSEA, for more books for kiddos! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
It is said “like mother, like daughter”, and that is true for Dorchester County Public Schools Teacher of the Year finalist Katelyn Robinson. She says, “My mother is one of the greatest teachers I know, so I grew up watching someone with so much passion for her career. Watching her create relationships and become a local celebrity to these little kids was so heartwarming that I knew that is something I wanted too.” An outstanding model to emulate, Ms. Robinson’s mom is Ms. Cherie Robinson, a former DCPS Teacher of the Year and currently the instructor of the Teacher Academy of Maryland program at DCTC.
Ms. Robinson Jr. is a Pre-K4 teacher at Maple Elementary, where she has been teaching for eight years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Creative Arts, and is at present working on her masters degree in Differentiated Instruction with LaSalle University. Her goal as a teacher? “To create students who love to learn!”, which is just the strong basis on which other great DCPS teachers can build. Thank you, Ms. Robinson! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
Once an Eagle, always an Eagle! North Dorchester Teacher of the Year finalist Kay Trice was an Eagle at her alma mater, Colonial Forge High School in Stafford, Virginia, before she became a North Dorchester Eagle, and wouldn’t have it any other way. Having taught at NDHS her entire 15-year career, this year she teaches biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology to students in 9th to 12th grades.
Why did Ms. Trice choose teaching as a career? “I love helping others, and teaching is the best way I know to meet that niche every day,” she says. With degrees from Washington College in biology and LaSalle University in education, Ms. Trice’s philosophy of teaching is simple: “I try to help students to see better versions of themselves through tough love, accountability, and science.” We’re glad you found a home in The Nest, Ms. Trice! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
The Preston Automotive Group might be best known for four wheeled vehicles, but yesterday the focus was on two wheels as Lisa Schmitt, Preston’s Business Development Manager, stopped by Warwick Elementary to award bicycles, donated by Preston, to their new owners! Students who were on reading step 400 or above were randomly selected to win one of the bikes. Congratulations go to these lucky readers: Gabe Shenton, Kindergarten; Barrett Smith, Kindergarten; Lily Abey, 2nd grade; Kinsley Brake, 1st grade; Maren McGinnes, 2nd grade, Rowan Cox, 4th grade; and Amir Haskins, 4th grade.
Students read at least four steps per day, with 15 minutes equaling one step. Two steps (30 minutes) are done at school and two steps (30 minutes) are done at home. Thank you, Preston, for encouraging Huskies to read, read, read! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
First Class Teacher of the Year finalist Devyn Thompson is a genuine believer in the power of teachers. She says, “I became a teacher in order to help improve the American public school education system from the inside.” A 6th grade Reading Language Arts teacher at Mace’s Lane Middle School, Ms. Thompson credits her own middle school English teacher for inspiring her: “(She) inspired me as a student because of her flawless ability to be firm but compassionate with us. She helped me discover my self-confidence.”
Originally from Waldorf, Maryland, Ms. Thompson earned a Bachelor’s degree in English with Secondary Education Certifications from Northern Vermont University. What is her biggest lesson so far this first year of teaching? “Dysregulated behavior is often a way to communicate a need is not being met, which is why I don’t take any undesired behavior personally. Responding with firm but compassionate accountability has saved me many headaches.” Thank you for joining us in Dorchester County Public Schools, Ms. Thompson! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
Oh no! St. Patrick’s Day may be today but those naughty leprechauns knew Vienna Elementary would be closed, so they made their mischief on Friday instead! Ms. Dechert’s kindergarten classroom was invaded at lunchtime when those sneaky leprechauns knew no one was there, and they created havoc! What a mess! However, there was gold at the end of the rainbow – quite literally – when the children discovered that the leprechauns had left behind gold coins and had fun hunting the coins down. It should be noted that Ms. Kenney’s pre-kindergarten class made leprechaun traps so those wily leprechauns knew which classroom to avoid! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Dorchester Career and Technology Center, 2465 Cambridge Bypass in Cambridge, with the open session beginning at 6:00 pm. The agenda and related documents will be found online via Board Docs on the Dorchester County Public Schools website at www.dcps.k12.md.us. The public is welcome to attend. If you are unable to attend but would like to submit comments electronically to be included in the minutes, email them to comments@dcpsmd.org by 2:00 pm on the date of the meeting. The meeting will be livestreamed at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe.
Dorchester County, be proud of your C-SD Vikings! The boys' basketball team may have fallen in today’s 1A state championships to Baltimore’s Edmonston-Westside 69-65, but the guys played with real heart, fighting back from several deficits and staying in it against the defending champs until the end. Congratulations on an amazing 25-3 season that earned a place in the state finals! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
Whether medical, technical, or trade-oriented, 8th graders from Mace’s Lane Middle School, South Dorchester PreK-8, and North Dorchester Middle School got a glimpse of possible futures for themselves this week, thanks to the JA Inspire event in Salisbury! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
It’s great to have friends, and we are grateful for the generosity of the Hurlock Lions Club as it remains a loyal friend of North Dorchester Middle School. Here are the most recent bikes donated to the school by the Lions to present to two students chosen for their consistent great effort and behavior. Congratulations to 7th grader Aimar Penuelas and 8th grader Jack Banda-Perez, seen here with the Lions and Principal Vaughn Evans. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
Introducing another Teacher of the Year finalist who came back and is giving back! Jennifer Filipovic grew up in Cambridge, graduating from C-SD in 2008. From high school she went to Chesapeake College for her A.S., then to Salisbury University for her B.S., culminating her studies (so far) with a Master’s degree in Teaching Strategies for the 21st Century Learner at LaSalle University.
For the past 10 years, Ms. Filipovic has been teaching kindergarten at Hurlock Elementary School, practicing her teaching philosophy: “Give and show love. Students will always remember the teachers who cared.” She continues: “Dorchester built me. DCPS provided me with the skills needed to be successful in life. Being able to give back to my community by teaching and loving our youth . . . well, there is nothing more rewarding than that.” Our hearts are full that you’re completing the circle, Ms. Filipovic! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
This Spring students in grades 3-12 will participate in the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program. Learn more about the assessment and access practice events by visiting https://support.mdassessments.com/practice-tests/. Remember, all results factor into a school’s star rating on the Maryland Report Card and can influence your students schedule for next year. No personal electronic devices are permitted during an assessment administration. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
A woman who has shared a picnic with a bear should have no problem dealing with a class of 4th graders, and that is true for Teacher of the Year finalist Christie Carels. Once when picnicking on vacation in the mountains, a bear climbed unseen onto their deck to join her family, but thanks to their alert dog everyone got out of the bear’s way! (Note to bears: don’t mess with elementary school teachers!)
A 12-year teaching veteran at South Dorchester School, Ms. Carels wanted to become a teacher because she “wanted to spark a love of learning in students”. How? “I think learning should be fun! I incorporate as many kinesthetic activities, learning games, and collaborative projects as possible to keep students engaged.” Ms. Carels holds a bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University, a master’s degree from Gratz College, and has earned her master’s +30 from the University of San Diego. Dorchester County Public Schools is lucky to benefit from Ms. Carels love of learning – and teaching! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
For Choptank Elementary Pre-K4 teacher and finalist for Dorchester County Public Schools First Class Teacher of the Year Jordan Lewis, it’s all about family. “One of the most important things I have learned . . . is the importance of establishing a classroom community at the beginning of the school year,” she says. “Teaching students that they not only have a family at home, but we will be a family at school too, laid a foundation for my students’ success this year, socially, emotionally, academically.” The role of ‘family’ continues with Ms. Lewis’ philosophy about teaching: “Creating a warm, welcoming learning environment for my students where they feel safe, loved, and look forward to coming to school each day is my ‘why’”.
Ms. Lewis followed her graduation from North Dorchester High School with an A.A.T. from Chesapeake College and a B.S. from Salisbury University in Early Childhood Education. We’re so glad you’ve now returned to your DCPS family! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
It takes a caring community to ensure the generations who came before us are given proper respect and protection, and a group of Senior students in the Welding program at Dorchester Career and Technology Center, taught by Mr. Chris Baker, have stepped up to this challenge. “Silent City Cemetery”, located off Bayly Road and Mace’s Lane, had been nearly forgotten when the graves were located by the Lower Shore Cemetery Preservation Organization, Inc., a non-profit organization specializing in cemetery restoration. The group contacted DCTC for help in ensuring that nearly 150 graves without tombstones or any identifying information would no longer go unmarked. We are proud of our students who are working to fabricate and weld almost 150 stainless steel grave markers in the form of a cross to complete the unmarked sites, practicing their trade while giving back to the community. Kudos go to welding students Jaden Ferguson, Gavin Adshead, Wesley Windsor, Jacob Perry, Reilly Ketterman, and Brayden Messick.
Thank you to C&K Lord of Cambridge for their support of this project by providing material at a reduced cost and visiting the classroom to demonstrate proper techniques and tips for completing the project. Thanks, too, to the Lower Shore Cemetery Preservation Organization for their donation to DCTC to assist with this project.
#AllHandsOnDeckDCPS
