The Board of Education of Charles County honored outstanding staff members Nov. 4 for their dedication to teaching and learning.

Recognized by the Board at its monthly meeting were Michael Blaine of La Plata High School, Liane Chan of Berry Elementary School, Jacob Gerding of Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School, Sydney Smith of Eva Turner Elementary School and Lauren Warring of Piccowaxen Middle School.

Blaine has been a constant at La Plata for the last three decades. The world language teacher has taught at the school for 31 years. “During this time, his commitment to the profession and his students has been unwavering and his ability to impact his students beyond the years they are with him is evident,” Principal Douglass Dolan said. Blaine’s high energy and ability to connect with his students makes his classroom an environment where students can take chances, have fun and learn to challenge themselves academically. Blaine’s prior students have the same memories. They remember Blaine for the love of his subject. He is always the “best dressed” among faculty members and uses all the teaching tools available. For the past eight years, Blaine has been the head cross country coach, helping build the program and develop runners into leaders in the school building as well as dynamic athletes. The team not only showed at the regional championships but are academic leaders as well.

At Berry, Chan is a third-grade teacher who has been a team leader on the third grade and kindergarten teams. She is a member of the school’s social committee, a tutor and a Synergy coordinator. Chan has been at Berry for the past six years, previously teaching in Prince George’s County Public Schools. Her commitment to education is evident through her desire for lifelong learning; she embraces new ideas and keeps an open mind. “Liane is an active participant who embraces and applies her new learning to her own classroom,” Berry Principal LeighAnn McLaud said. Chan embodies the spirit of ongoing professional growth who models what it means to continue learning and evolving as educators. Chan is a leader at Berry and is known for her constant commitment to students and colleagues. “Her leadership is rooted in empathy and service,” McLaud said. “She meets students where they are, adapting instruction with patience and creativity.” Chan embraces new ideas, strategies and feedback. “Through her collaborative spirit, willingness to ask thoughtful questions, and dedication to shared success,” McLaud said. “Mrs. Chan exemplifies what it means to lead by example and uplift an entire school community.”

Gerding began working at Higdon in 2019 as the school’s media specialist, a role he remains in. As the school librarian, Gerding encourages students and their families to use the resources available through the Charles County Public Library, helps with the library’s preschool story time program and coordinates a mobile library stop at Higdon. Gerding recently completed an education specialist degree in school library media at the University of West Georgia, and is currently studying for a Ph.D., in instructional leadership for changing populations from Notre Dame of Maryland University. “He seeks out opportunities to engage with classroom teachers to align library instruction with what students are learning in their classrooms,” Principal Jennifer Posey said. “This creates opportunities to expand students’ learning.” Gerding serves as Higdon’s representative to the Education Association of Charles County (EACC), is the president-elect and advocacy chairman of the Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL) and is a co-chair of the Maryland State Education Association’s librarian caucus. In 2023, he was named a finalist for MASL’s Maryland School Librarian of the Year. Gerding has been Higdon’s VEX Robotics coach for the past decade taking the team to the state championships each year and to the world championships four times. Recently, Gerding started a third-grade book club to encourage students to read the Black-Eyed Susan Award book finalists and build a community through reading and discussion.

Smith, a fifth-grade teacher at Eva Turner, started her career in education at the youth center on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. She is from a family of teachers but said she never set out to follow in those footsteps. Instead, Smith graduated from college with a degree in business and a job with the government. When she didn’t find joy in the work, Smith’s mother recommended she try substitute teaching. “She loved it,” Principal Courtney Gandee said. “She was offered a position at Eva Turner where she has grown into a fantastic teacher and leader.” Smith helps write social studies curriculum for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and has been the Turner’s fifth-grade team leader, the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) chairperson and sponsor of Turner’s Fashion Club. Smith started the Models Collective while a student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The group works to teach women how to model and photograph while building their self-confidence. Smith continues to work with Models Collective when she can.

As a science teacher at Piccowaxen, Warring is a natural leader for the school’s Environmental Club. “Ms. Warring has worked to revitalize the outdoor classroom, fostering student engagement in hands-on ecological projects,” Wualanda Thenstead, Piccowaxen’s principal, said. Warring recently took over the Green School application and works closely with the staff of Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center to bring environmental programs to the school. Warring enlisted seventh-grade students to help remove invasive plant species from the wetlands and surrounding areas near the outdoor classroom. Warring is someone her colleagues count on. “Ms. Warring is always working diligently behind the scenes,” Thenstead said. “She is always willing to jump in and help however she can.” As a teacher, Warring demonstrates her interest and passion in science and approaches her work with professionalism, ethics and integrity. Outside of the classroom, Warring coaches various youth sports including Piccowaxen’s archery team. She is a coach for lacrosse and field hockey teams outside of school.

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 39 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).