On March 13, Greenbelt City Council hosted the presentation of the 28th Advisory Committee on Education (ACE) Educator Awards.
ACE was formed in 1994, and seeks to connect council with local schools to promote high-quality schools for Greenbelt. Their annual Educator Awards recognize those making exceptional contributions to Greenbelt schools, be they teachers, guidance counselors, support or building staff or other professionals. ACE selects the awardees based on nominations from each school’s administration.
Loribeth Rivera
Loribeth Rivera is a first-grade teacher at Springhill Lake Elementary. She has been
teaching for 26 years, beginning her teaching career in the Philippines. Since then, she has taught elementary school children on Native American reservations in Arizona and worked in Maryland as a special education and general education elementary teacher. She was lauded for her teamwork, for promoting growth mindsets in her students, for her positive attitude, professionalism and dedication. She has received numerous awards, including the Salindunong Award for outstanding educators in the Philippines.
“Teaching is not just my job; this is my passion,” said Rivera at the meeting. “I believe education has the power to transform lives and communities.” Rivera said she strives to encourage students and to empower them as lifelong learners and responsible citizens. “I believe education is a collaborative effort and I want to thank my students for their willingness to learn and to grow alongside me. […] It’s a privilege to be their teacher.”
LaTrena Turner
LaTrena Turner is a 21-year veteran teacher who has been with Prince George’s County Public Schools for four years. She has taught at both the elementary and secondary level, with her primary focus in English language arts, history and public speaking. Turner has served as dean of students, new teacher mentor, equity lead teacher, professional development lead teacher, drama club sponsor and cheerleader and track coach. As the Equity and Culture Awareness liaison, she led the Magnolia Elementary community in deep conversations regarding equity in their professional practices, procedures and policies. “As a proud native of Jackson, Mississippi, Ms. Turner uses her Southern Charm to warm the hearts of her students, parents and colleagues,” reported ACE member Jenni Pompi. “Ms. Turner has continued to push our thinking regarding equity and culture awareness in order to support our students and community. Ms. Turner’s wealth of knowledge and understanding of best instructional practices shines through during collaborations with colleagues, informal hallway discussions and professional developments,” shared Pompi.
“This isn’t possible without my colleagues, without my principal believing in me and giving me all of the various opportunities, without my students, without my parents, so I share this award, this moment of recognition with them. Because my star is shining today but it absolutely would not be able to shine without the people around me,” said Turner.
Jasmine Giddings
Jasmine Giddings is an instructional lead teacher at Greenbelt Elementary who ensures teachers are supported. “Whether it is through a demo lesson, informal observation and coaching, or a professional development, Ms. Giddings actively shares what she knows about instructional best practices,” reported Stephenie Arcido of ACE. She works to recognize students’ achievements, including shout-outs for class and grade level achievements in reading and interventions. Giddings was praised for modeling “punctuality, preparation and prudent decision-making in the academic environment for both staff and students on a daily basis,” for leading collaborative planning, providing direct instruction and interacting with students throughout the school. “Ms. Giddings is one of the best Greenbelt Greyhounds you will find,” reported Arcido.
“As a two-time ACE recipient you can tell that hard work and dedication thrive in what I do every single day. Education is a passion of mine and has been since I was a young child,” said Giddings. She thanked the city, ACE, her colleagues, families and students.
Dr. Tyrone McNeal
Dr. Tyrone McNeal is a library media specialist at Dora Kennedy French Immersion (DKFI). He was described as a collaborative and collegial educator, who commands respect from students, has them laughing with silly jokes and is a supportive colleague, always going above and beyond his duties to help teachers in need. “I don’t know what DKFI would do without him,” said a colleague. “The administration team of DKFI considers Dr. McNeal to be an unsung gem of an educator, willing to pitch in to offer his time, resources, intellectual prowess to advance the academic and social culture of DKFI,” reported Arcido.
James Spence, principal of DKFI, was present at the meeting. He described McNeal as a gem and an unsung hero. “I didn’t know I had a genius as a library media specialist,” said Spence. “He has degrees upon degrees and certifications upon certifications and he’s even working on one now.” McNeal sent his greetings but was unable to attend the meeting due to illness. “He has been having some health challenges and he still shows up every day,” said Spence. “He not only shows up, but he volunteers his time. So when I have teachers who are not present or teachers who have to leave he says, ‘No, just bring them to the Library and Media Center. I will work with them,’” said Spence. “I’m thankful for him and I’d like to say that publicly,” said Spence, who also thanked ACE.
Dr. Joan Jackson
“When discussing what it means to be an educator and being acknowledged by the City of Greenbelt, a big question to ask is how do you impact the community? When thinking about the community, there is no other person that impacts the Greenbelt community bigger than Greenbelt Middle School’s community schools coordinator, Dr. Joan Jackson,” reported ACE’s Robert Snyder. “Dr. Jackson has a wealth of experience that ranges from teaching to instructional leadership and even administration,” he said, “though her biggest impact has been as community schools coordinator.” Snyder noted that Jackson has collaborated with organizations to help school projects that range from mentoring programs, mental health services, food distributions, recycling programs, support for homeless students/families and international community support for students who speak different languages. She also began a tutoring program at Greenbelt Middle that focuses on students struggling with academic progress and attendance. “She is fabulous to our school and the Greenbelt community,” Snyder reported from her colleagues.
Jackson expressed thanks for the award and noted that, as the community coordinator, she says she knows it does take a village to raise a child. “Coming from looking at mental health, attendance, food disparities, economic disparities, this is a daunting job,” said Jackson. “I can tell you it is a reward to know that every single day I go to work, I touch the lives of someone and make a huge difference in their lives every day. So, I thank you for acknowledging and recognizing my talents,” she said.
Charles Mills
Charles Mills has been a math teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School for 11 years. He is the head of the math department and the women’s lacrosse coach. He was described as hard-working and conscientious about his teaching and as going above and beyond expectations. During recent teacher shortages and pandemic challenges, Mills has taken over unassigned classes and spent his planning and lunch periods working with students who have fallen behind, reported Robert Snyder of ACE. “He’s a problem solver and a team player. He is a vital part of the Greenbelt community, and truly deserves the Greenbelt ACE Educators Award,” submitted his colleagues.
Mills thanked his nominators, the city and everyone at Eleanor Roosevelt. “I would like to add an extra special thank you to the community of Greenbelt for sending such wonderful students, being so warm and inviting. Such a wonderful place that once I got here I actually decided to eventually move here and become part of it myself, because it was such a wonderful community,” said Mills.
The ACE Committee, Greenbelt City Council, County Council Member Ingrid Watson and School Board Representative Jonathan Briggs presented certificates to this year’s ACE Educator Award recipients. ACE presented an engraved red-and-gold apple to each award winner, along with an ACE T-shirt that they are invited to wear to walk with ACE in the Labor Day Parade. They also received certificates of recognition from the city, the county and the state.
