The Board of Education of Charles County at its May 13 meeting honored outstanding educators and Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff for their contributions to teaching and learning.

Recognized were Shannon Berghoefer of Indian Head Elementary School, Ebony Fowlkes Harley of Westlake High School, Carllisa Jordan of Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, Helen Reed of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School, Sarah Rose of the Early Learning Center, La Plata, Chelsey Short of William B. Wade Elementary School, Christopher Smith of Billingsley Elementary School and Christine Turner of Theodore G. Davis Middle School.

Berghoefer has been at Indian Head for the past seven years where she has taught fifth grade and has been a fourth-grade teacher for the past two years. “She is one of the most reflective teachers I have ever worked with,” Shane Blandford, principal of Indian Head, said. “She is always looking at student data and adjusting her teaching accordingly.” Last year, a student in her classroom was having difficulty completing his schoolwork and maintaining good behavior. With Berghoefer’s help, staff was able to determine the student needed to be placed in a different classroom environment. “The student has been extremely successful in the setting,” Blandford said. “Shannon and her special education teacher’s dedication to this student were the reason he was able to get what he needed.” Berghoefer works closely with colleagues to support students’ academics and mental health. “Shannon has an amazing work ethic,” Blandford said. “She comes early, stays late and takes work home on the weekend to help her be prepared for instruction.”

A history teacher at Westlake, Harley is known as a team player and engaging instructor. “She finds ways to relate instruction to real world situations and student interests,” Westlake Principal Dana Fenwick said. “She takes the time to build positive relationships, and her students not only trust her, but look forward to attending her class.” Harley carries herself with quiet confidence but is always approachable and ready to support students. Harley keeps parents informed on their children’s progress in class and works with them to ensure students are held accountable and contributing to their education thus preparing them to become lifelong learners.

At Mt. Hope, Jordan always shows up where she’s needed. She has been known to run intervention groups, substitute in a classroom, fill in for a front office secretary and hand out HDMI cables to presenters during a recent Career Day. “Ms. Jordan contributes significantly to the success of Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School by going above and beyond in her role,” Louis D’Ambrosio, principal of Mt. Hope, said. Jordan ensures students have the materials they need such as school supplies and personal items. She is so familiar with the school’s ins and outs, she is often sought out by other staff members to help with a task or give advice. “It seems like Ms. Jordan never stops moving,” D’Ambrosio said. She’s setting up projectors, laminating materials, decorating bulletin boards or helping school-based events run without a hitch. “She is hardworking, never stopping and constantly moving between various task to ensure the school runs smoothly,” D’Ambrosio said. “Her constant effort and attention to detail demonstrate a strong commitment to her work and a solid work ethic.”

Reed is positive, proactive and patient with her kindergarten students at Dr. Mudd. “She will do whatever it takes to make sure they all have what they need,” Portia Parker, Dr. Mudd principal, said. Reed is a team player who always finds time to help others in the school and community. “She is by far the most outgoing, fun loving, hardworking team leader I have ever had the privilege of working with,” Parker said. At Dr. Mudd, Reed is active with the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) program, serving as its chairwoman. She also helps with community school events and is member of Dr. Mudd’s professional learning team.

Rose has been at ELC, La Plata, since the center opened. “She has held down the kitchen preparing breakfast and lunch for the students all by herself,” Candace Vallandingham-Adam, the center’s coordinator, said. “And she’s done so without complaint.” Rose is flexible when faced with challenges. A student forgets their lunch? No problem. A student is late to school and didn’t get breakfast? No problem. “No student goes hungry with Mrs. Rose around,” Vallandingham-Adam said. Rose does not hesitate to jump in with fun activities to support nutrition or boost school morale. She decorates bulletin board with nutrition and food facts and engages with students, making the center at fun and exciting place to be.

As Billingsley’s administrative IA, Smith is dedicated and flexible in the role. He builds strong and positive relationships with staff, students and parents. Smith teaches extended learning opportunity (ELO) tutoring sessions supporting students who need extra help with reading comprehension skills. “His commitment to student success starts before the school day even begins,” Sabrina Robinson-Taylor, principal at Billingsley, said. “He reinforces his role as both an educator and a mentor.” He steps in to substitute teach, assist students with socio-emotional needs and manages the car rider line during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. “His presence is felt everywhere — supporting classrooms in crisis, offering breaks and effective calming strategies to students or running essential errands across campus,” Robison-Taylor said. “His unique ability to connect, lead and serve makes him an irreplaceable part of the Billingsley Elementary family.”

At Wade, Short is a third-grade teacher who is always looking for ways to better support her students. She recently earned National Board Certification, taught herself the Zones of Regulation when she saw some of her students who needed direction on how to self-regulate and sought out Secret Stories for students who were struggling with phonics. She foregoes her planning time to work with students who need some extra academic support and invites others to Lunch Bunch and Brain Break activities. Short helps her colleagues as an anchor mentor, is one Wade’s representatives to the Education Association (EACC) of Charles County and is a member of the PBIS team. “Mrs. Short is a leader throughout the building,” Sonia Blue, interim principal at Wade, said. “She rarely raises an issue without proposing a solution.”

Turner is a reading resource teacher at Davis who is an integral member of the school’s staff. She helps develop the master schedule to ensure students are placed in appropriate labs. She is Davis’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) coordinator and interviews hundreds of students for AVID every year. Turner is well versed with the goings on at Davis, having been at the school since it opened in 2008. This is her second year as the reading resource teacher. Turner has been the eighth-grade team leader in the past and continues to serve as a leader in an unofficial capacity. “She is always in the classroom,” Davis Principal Robert Griffiths said. “She never sits still and consistently works in English language arts classrooms, observing, coaching, training and mentoring teachers of all levels.” Over the years, Turner has been nominated by Davis staff for Teacher of the Year award programs. “She is a key contributor to the building culture,” Griffiths said.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.  CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).