Press Release

For immediate release
March 30, 2010

Contact:  Leni Stern
Bowie City Hall
2614 Kenhill Drive
Bowie, Maryland 20715  
301-809-3068

Ms. JoAnne Stewart, of Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center, Selected as 2010 Paraprofessional Award Honoree by the Bowie Education Committee

Paraprofessional Jo Anne Stewart has been selected by the Bowie Education Committee as the recipient of this year’s Paraprofessional Award. Her nomination was submitted by Gina Richardson, a Certified Adapted Physical Educator, with whom she works, Laura Downey and other staff members at Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center.

One Paraprofessional, who works with students in eligible schools located in Bowie, is selected to be honored each school year. For the purpose of this award, an Education Paraprofessional, is an aide or other person who is not trained or hired as a teacher, but who works directly with children in a classroom or small group setting within a school.

Ms. Stewart is the “Bus Queen” at Chapel Forge! She puts her “wonderful organization skills to work, in coordinating transportation at the school, working with office staff, bus drivers, parents, classroom staff and transportation officials, “to ensure the safe and orderly arrival and dismissal of all students attending the school. Her other role at the school is with the Adaptive Physical Education classroom, where she is a “true partner” in all aspects of teaching the children. She helps teachers create “developmentally appropriate thematic lesson plans,” obtain equipment and make picture communication devices. “She is constantly thinking of and developing new adaptations so that all students are successful.” She is an “active and valued part of this program.”

This paraprofessional schedules special enrichment trips for students at the school, helping to plan and coordinate movement opportunities in the community, such as swimming, gymnastics and Special Olympics. She also assists with after school activities, such as soccer, t-ball and basketball. She always “works for the very best interest of the students.”

Elyse Hurley, Principal at Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center, indicates that Ms. Stewart “goes above and beyond in her role as Paraprofessional Educator.” She organizes and takes full responsibility for the transportation of each and every student at Chapel Forge,” often staying late and coming in early to ensure that the routes are updated, and doing whatever is needed to make sure the children get home safely.

Ms. Stewart will be honored by City Council at an April Council meeting. She will receive a certificate of appreciation and recognition from the City of Bowie and a certificate toward a meal for two, generously provided by Jerry’s Seafood in Bowie.

The Education Committee would like to thank Jerry’s Seafood in Bowie, for providing the meal certificate for this year’s Paraprofessional honoree. Support of this program by Jerry’s is greatly appreciated. For more information about this award, please contact the Education Committee at 301-809-3068 or lstern@cityofbowie.org.