Press Release

For Immediate Release
June 7, 2010

Contact:
Leni Stern, Community Outreach Specialist             
301-809-3068
lstern@cityofbowie.org

Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center’s Head Start Teacher
Alice Williams Selected as June Teacher of the Month

Ms. Williams, a Head Start Teacher at Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center, was selected by the Education Committee to be the June Teacher of the Month, based on nominations from two people at the school, Eileen Rodriguez and Alicia Weeden.

Children working in Ms. Williams’ Head Start classroom are busy in the room working on problem solving, investigating, exploring, questioning, language and independence as they work in various centers around the room, ranging from construction to technology, math and literacy. Ms. Williams provides the leadership “structure, routine and order!” She brings the best to the children in order to get the best from them. The class benefits from “the love and care this dedicated teacher gives children and their families.”

Being her current assistant, Ms. Weeden has an unusual perspective. She began working with Ms. Williams as a parent of one of her students, then became a volunteer in her classroom. Through Ms. Williams’ encouragement, she pursued training and has become her assistant.

Due to the strong foundation this teacher provides for her children, many of them go on to be a part of the Talented and Gifted programs and achieve above grade level reading scores!
In addition to what takes place in the classroom, this teacher encourages parents to engage their children in activities at home to follow up on what has been covered in school. She teaches parents to work effectively with their children at home. In working as co-teachers, each is able to pick up and expand on what the other is doing, to best benefit the children.

Elyse Hurley, Principal at Chapel Forge, refers to Ms. Williams as a very talented educator, who “makes teaching look like it’s second nature.” The students enter her class at age three and by the time they enter kindergarten they have the skills and confidence they need. “Alice is always willing to learn new things and take on new challenges.”

Ms. Williams will be recognized by the Bowie City Council, at the City Council meeting on July 6th. She will receive a certificate, a $100 U S Savings Bond, provided by funds from program partner BB&T Bank, and a very special lunch with her principal, Elyse Hurley, provided by Main Street Catering.

The Teacher of the Month program recognizes Bowie teachers for their teaching excellence, as well as for the “little things” which mean a lot to students, parents, and peers.  Nomination information is available on the City of Bowie web site, www.cityofbowie.org (“Search” for Teacher of the Month), at eligible schools*or at the Department of Community Services at Bowie City Hall. For additional information, contact Education Committee liaison, Leni Stern, at lstern@cityofbowie.org or 301-809-3068.

* Eligible schools include Bowie and Tall Oaks High Schools; Benjamin Tasker and Samuel Ogle Middle Schools; St. Pius X, Grace Christian, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Holy Trinity (lower campus), Heather Hills, High Bridge, Kenilworth, Northview, Pointer Ridge, Rockledge, Tulip Grove, Whitehall and Yorktown Elementary Schools; Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center and C. Elizabeth Rieg Special Center.