Press Release

For Immediate Release
March 30, 2011

Contact:
Sally Cannon Hein
City of Bowie
Assistant Director
Department of Community Services
301-809-3014

"Teachers of the Month" for January, February and March Announced

Throughout the year outstanding teachers in the Bowie community are nominated by parents, students, fellow teachers and principals to be considered for selection by the Bowie Education Committee as Teacher of the Month. Those selected are honored by the Bowie City Council and receive both a savings bond (funded through a generous donation from BB&T) and lunch with their Principal donated by Main Street Catering. The City congratulates Melinda Annadale, Judy Nabinger and Joanna Legg on their recent selection for this award.

Teacher of the Month for January - Melinda Annadale, Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center

Melinda Annadale teaches some of the youngest of our children. Fellow teacher, Eileen Rodreigez, in her nomination said that "It is fun to be a visitor in Ms. Annadale's classroom. This talented teacher modifies literature to engage her young students through the use of foil pans, fabric, pictures and puppets. She blends multiple learning opportunities into a single activity seamlessly. Come to her classroom and you will learn to count animal sounds which teaches listening skills as well as counting skills. Ms. Annadale is a collaborative individual by nature. She listens first and then speaks. One of her gifts is that she recognizes other people's talents and often makes suggestions that result in the expanding of horizons both her own and others. Principal Elise Hurley tells us that "Ms. Annadale is a special educator in a co-taught Head Start classroom. She does a wonderful job of supporting her special education students with strategies that support their learning in the general education environment. One of the things that makes her classroom so special is the rapport between the special educator and the general educator in that classroom. They are truly a team and work together in a seamless way to accommodate the individual learning styles of every student in the classroom. It is a model early childhood classroom". Thank you, Ms. Annadale, for giving our littlest students a great start in their education.

Teacher of the Month for February - Judy Nabinger, Grace Christian School

Great music teachers are a gift. Numerous studies have shown that students who are involved in musical performance often to better both in school and in their social interactions. Parents Janine Dolinka an Tonya Dorsey recognized excellence when they saw it in Grace Christian School's music teacher Judy Nabinger and nominated her for Teacher of the Month. They highlighted the many hours spent not only producing Fine arts performances but paying attention to the small details such as kool sun glasses for a rock star or oversized dollar bills for a millionaire in various shows. Her love of music is evident in her gentle but professional manner. She has "an uncanny ability to recognize what each of her students is capable of" and together they achieve great success. Principal Judy Bianco was very pleased to hear that Mrs. Nabinger had been nominated as Teacher of the Month for February and said "She is an excellent music teacher at Grace Christian School. She not only fully instructs the students in music , but also puts together wonderful Christmas and spring music programs. She is also a master teacher who has helped mentor student teachers". Grace Christian School is fortunate to have an outstanding music teach in Ms. Judy Nabinger.

Teacher of the Month for March - Joanna Legg, Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center

Joanna Legg teaches 4 year old children at the Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center. In nominating Ms. Legg for this award, fellow teacher Eileen Rodriguez used the words "welcoming, reassuring, calm and positive". She went on to say that "Ms. Legg never settles for less than the best for her students and as a result they give their best. She builds music, art and motor activities into each day's lesson plan. She is hands-on and laughs with her students as she rewards them with positive phrases. When told of Ms. Legg's selection as teacher of the month her Principal, Elyse Hurley, provided the following quote "Is there such thing as a perfect teacher? If so, Joanna fits that category. Everyone who works with students in her classroom, marvels at the way she can differentiate instruction for the very diverse students in her class. She individualizes her instruction so that each student is educated according to their needs. I think the one quality that makes Joanna stand out is her compassion and respect for her students. In my years of working with her, I have never seen Joanna lose patience with a child. She uses every strategy she has to allow a student to be successful". Congratulations Ms. Legg on your selection as Teacher of the Month for March