Melinda Brady, chair of the City of Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Education (ACE), introduced the committee’s 26th year of awards, noting that these were also the Second Annual Virtual ACE Awards. While the virtual version is absent the usual reception, large crowd and event photos, it maintains all the pleasure and pride Greenbelt takes in the dedication and exceptional contributions of its teachers and other staff who comprise the school team.
The timing of the event precluded attendance by some of the State of Maryland representatives, but Delegate Nicole Williams and County Councilmember Todd Turner were both able to stop by.
Brady announced that ACE members would make their introductions of the awardees from the schools.
Springhill Lake Elementary
Janet Mirsky introduced William Dunlap, who has served at Springhill Lake for 23 of his 24 years in the field of education. He started as a teacher in physical education, but when an opening came up, he joined the special education team and never looked back. He is an excellent teacher in working with students who have physical and emotional disabilities. He has an amazing ability to still troubled waters and has a calming influence on both students and staff. In another role, he is also “the SHL Music Man,” managing the music at events and playing the piano himself.
Magnolia Elementary
Brady presented the award to Amah Bella Navarrosa. Teaching in a virtual environment has been a challenge for many, but Navarrosa is reported to have accepted the challenge with grace and determination. She has embraced technological advances and always brings a positive spirit to the learning environment. She also takes the time and interest to create a positive, warm and inviting atmosphere in both her virtual and face-to-face classrooms.
Greenbelt Elementary
Don Rich presented George Courtney as the recipient of the ACE Award. Himself a proud alumnus of Greenbelt Elementary, Courtney joined the staff in 2012 as a dedicated aide on the special education team and has since been promoted to the role of paraprofessional. His dedication is unmatched. He goes above and beyond for both the students and the staff daily. He is the leader of the Math After-School Club sponsored by ACE. During this unusual school year, he has also taken on additional responsibility as the education technology lead, in which role he provides professional development on instructional technology and holds office hours for technical support.
French Immersion
Kate McElhenny introduced Phillip Held as the award winner from Dora Kennedy French Immersion, where he has served for more than a decade. His role as technology lead for the school has been critical this year, as he provides assistance to students, faculty and even parents, all the while maintaining his patience and sense of humor. He consistently seeks to be of assistance to others and to add value to the school community, for which Dora Kennedy is greatly appreciative.
Greenbelt Middle
Veronica Martin-Alston introduced Camille Butler, a teacher of 15 years who has taught at Greenbelt Middle School for four years. As an instructional lead teacher in reading and language arts and social studies, she is a team player and supports all programs at the school. Her strong instructional leadership has helped to foster great school relationships with both staff and students. She helps to build school community and family engagement, and she goes above and beyond by being very active in and outside of the school community.
Eleanor Roosevelt High
Gordon Gainer introduced Yvette Goslee, a teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS). While several staff members have stepped up to find innovative solutions during this challenging year, Goslee stands out. She has proved that she is a vital component and an asset to the success of ERHS, always going beyond what is required of her as a classroom educator. While facing a myriad of challenges, including mourning the loss of her father, Goslee has never wavered in her responsibility to her students or other school demands. She has developed and trained staff with new and innovative approaches to teaching students and communicating with parents in this virtual environment. She has chaperoned students to Japan, organized graduations and senior award programs. In addition, she has also increased the number of aspiring female students taking AP Computer Science and has increased the overall pass rate on the AP exam for ERHS.
With the completion of the awards, Brady and all the councilmembers thanked these educators for all their work, especially in these times.
