Outstanding Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff members were honored April 14 by the Board of Education of Charles County.

Among those recognized were Krystle Duehring, principal’s secretary at Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA); Gabriele Goldberg, media specialist at North Point High School; Margaret Grove, second-grade teacher at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School; Freida Key, fifth-grade teacher at Mary B. Neal Elementary School; Sonia March, Ed.D., academic mentor at Mattawoman Middle School; and Lisa Willis, instructional assistant at the Early Learning Center (ELC), La Plata.

In addition to being the secretary to the principal at PISOTA, Duehring is the school’s financial secretary, responsible for strengthening its financial oversight and accountability She has helped establish processes and practices that keep PISOTA on track financially while ensuring the decisions align with the needs of staff and students. “Her ability to coordinate across teams, monitor key financial processes and maintain clear communication has been instrumental in moving this work forward,” Jasmine Bateman, Ed.D., PISOTA’s principal, said. Duehring does not hesitate to take on new challenges and is not afraid to ask questions, seek guidance and learn from peers to ensure she’s performing her role to the best of her ability. She has streamlined practices and implemented processes that support the school’s long-term success. “[Duehring] is setting a standard for professionalism that inspires those around her,” Bateman said. “Her pride in her work is evident in the quality of everything she does.”

Goldberg has reinvigorated the North Point library since taking on the role of the school’s media specialist. “Ms. Goldberg has physically transformed the media center,” Daniel Kaple, principal of North Point, said. “She added literature that connects to a wide variety of student interests.” Goldberg has updated technology in the library which has increased accessibility and improved its academic impact. She’s reconfigured shelving units — by adding some, taking away others — and brought in furniture that better suits instruction. Goldberg partners with teachers to enhance curriculum and works to design innovative and creative lessons. “These changes have made the space more inviting to students, resulting in increased usage of the media center,” Kaple said. Beyond her role as a school librarian, Goldberg leads grade recovery, supports the North Point technology staff and the Academic Eagles, the school’s student leadership group.

During her 25 years at Craik, with the exception of fourth grade, Grove has taught every grade level from prekindergarten to fifth grade. “Throughout her career, she has shown exceptional versatility,” Craik’s Principal Jason Deihl said. Grove has been an elementary science teacher in the past and currently teaches second grade. She creates engaging and supportive lessons for her students and strives to make her classroom a safe space for children to grow academically and personally. Grove credits the instructional assistants and mentors who she has worked with in the past for shaping her into the teacher she is today. “[Their] guidance helped shape her approach to teaching and collaboration,” Deihl said.

Key is a fifth-grade teacher at Neal and has been thanked by parents of students for her ability to build relationships. “Families have specifically acknowledged her ability to make students feel welcomed, supported and safe during key transitions,” Mike Hoffman, Neal’s principal, said. Key helps with the school’s math team and often collaborates with her coworkers to maintain a high level of instruction. She has led instructional reflections and helps guide teams toward specific instructional improvements. Her dedication to lifelong learning and professional growth are evident as she provides feedback and helps design strategies to improve instruction. Hoffman said he regularly points to Key as a staff member who can guide others and address instructional and procedural matters related to the school. “Freida demonstrates a strong work ethic and deep pride in her role as an educator,” Hoffman said. “[Her] contributions extend beyond her classroom through her instructional leadership, student advocacy and collaborative work.”

March wears many hats at Mattawoman. She is an academic mentor, a team leader, bus coordinator and a facilitator for the Danielson Group Framework for Teaching. She earned her doctorate of education from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., where she is an adjunct professor. “Dr. March is the essence of pride,” Mattawoman Principal Anthony Carroll said. “She is passionate about teaching, learning and working with young people.”

At ELC, La Plata, Willis is an instructional assistant who can be counted on to pitch in anywhere and anytime she is needed. She volunteers to assist with responsibilities outside of her job description including coming in early to support students and prep instructional materials. Willis collaborates with staff members, sharing new ideas and solutions to problems. “Ms. Willis is reliable, dependable and reflective in her role,” Candice Vallandingham-Adam, coordinator of ELC, La Plata, said. “She always wants to do what is right by students and is willing to learn and adapt.”

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 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).