The Board of Education of Charles County at its Nov. 14 meeting honored five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff members for their commitment to the school system and student success. Each month, the Board honors staff members chosen by their school principals for recognition who demonstrate their dedication to teaching and learning.

Honored were Pauletta Brickey of St. Charles High School, Ana Brown of Malcolm Elementary School, Tammy Dudley of J.C. Parks Elementary School, Charles McCoy of Benjamin Stoddert Middle School and Amber Parry of Dr. James Craik Elementary School.

Brickey is the financial secretary at St. Charles where she has worked since the school opened in 2014. “One of Ms. Brickey’s major attributes is her dedication to the field,” St. Charles Principal Tammika Little said. “She never hesitates to stay late or work weekends.” Brickey ensures staff and community members stay in contact making sure no one misses an important deadline and date. When CCPS introduced the Oracle Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform earlier this year, Brickey quickly learned the new financial system and made the transition for St. Charles smooth and flawless one, Little said.

As a prekindergarten instructional assistant (IA), Brown supports the academic and social-emotional needs of her students. But she also goes out of her way to help Malcolm’s staff and students, always willing to jump in and help even during her breaks, Malcolm Principal Scott Hangey said. “Ms. Brown is the definition of what Malcolm Elementary is,” he said. “Malcolm is a community-based school where families, staff and students can feel at home.” Brown facilitates the Boys & Girls Club at the school and is a member of the safety committee. She takes the lead on many school events including celebrations of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month and Legacy Day. Brown is always willing to learn new teaching methods and strategies while seeking out professional learning opportunities. “She is a natural educator,” Hangey said. “She was born to be in education.”

Dudley is a veteran kindergarten IA having been in the position for 15 years at Parks. During her time at the school, Dudley has worked in the Summer Boost program, been a tutor and is a member of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) committee. She volunteers for school-based programs and can be counted on to stay late if school buses are running behind. In the mornings, Dudley can be found greeting buses and students, and she helps run bus evacuation drills. Despite having a part-time job outside of Parks, Dudley still finds time to attend student activities after school or in the community like sporting events. “Ms. Dudley is proactive,” Parks’ interim Principal Kathy Perriello said. “She is always looking for ways to help the classroom teacher with ways to motivate and incentivize students.”

At Stoddert, computer teacher McCoy provides engaging learning opportunities focused on engineering, construction and design, and problem solving. McCoy applies Gateway to Technology lessons to real world situations. “Students absolutely love showing off their projects,” Stoddert Principal Erica Williams said. Beyond teaching students, McCoy helps new staff members get acclimated to the school and become familiar with the curriculum, shares teaching strategies and motivates staff to build positive relationships with students. He has served as Stoddert’s traffic coordinator during arrival, has been a coach for the golf team, mentored new staff and led professional learning sessions.

This year at Craik, special education teacher Parry took on the role of team leader and far exceeds expectations, Principal Jason Deihl said. She provides constant support and attention to special education staff while staying on top of her own caseload. “She is truly a valuable asset within the walls of Craik,” Deihl said. As the school’s Sunshine Crew Coordinator, Parry revamped the program this year and spent time sprucing up the teacher’s lounge and creating monthly spirit calendars. The efforts help create a positive school climate, Deihl said. Parry has continued her education, earning a master’s in curriculum and instruction, and an Administrator I certification. Previously working in the special education program at North Point High School and as an elementary school ACHIEVE teacher, Parry is currently an inclusion special education teacher and case manager at Craik. “Mrs. Parry is always looking for new experiences to learn and grow,” Deihl said. Outside of the classroom, Parry started the Best Buddies chapter at North Point where she also coached girls’ soccer, has been a home and hospital instructor, and served as a site coordinator for the Summer Boost program.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 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 Kathy Kiessling, 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).