For Immediate Release
January 3, 2008

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

December 2007 Teacher of the Month
Jolie Trudick, Yorktown Elementary School

Ms. Jolie Trudick, a Kindergarten Teacher at Yorktown Elementary school, has been selected as Teacher of the Month for the month of December. Ms. Clifton was nominated by parents Michaele Angulo, Jeff Gauer, Cynthia Hill, parent and student Jennifer & Ryan Keller and staff members at Yorktown.

Ms Trudick is described as a “very special teacher” whose upbeat enthusiasm is contagious. “She truly gets her students excited about learning.” She gives her students the opportunity to make their own choices during a time each day that she designates as “Choosing Time.” She not only has an amazing rapport with students, but also with teachers at the school, administrators and parents. She makes parents feel very comfortable in her classroom.

In 2005, Ms. Trudick was among those displaced by hurricane Katrina. She came to Bowie to make a new life and quickly became part of Yorktown’s school “family.” In referring to her arrival, the nomination states, “Luckily for us, she landed safely on our doorstep.”

Ms. Trudick knows every child as an individual, and seems to know what they need far before others, or the child, have any idea. She makes daily accommodations for students, as needed to meet their needs, as she provides the “same patient nurturing, for all students no matter what their special situations or needs are. She is “loved by her students, co-workers and parents.”

Ms. Linda Posko, Principal at Yorktown Elementary School, describes Ms. Trudick as having a “quiet, unassuming manner that works beautifully with the Kindergarten students. She is able to give her students the confidence that they will succeed in all tasks. This provides a wonderful foundation for the students as they begin their educational journey.”

Bowie City Council will recognize Ms. Trudick as Teacher of the Month the City Council Meeting on January 22nd. She will receive a certificate of recognition and a $100 United States Savings Bond, for which funding is provided by program partner, the BB& T Bank. Main Street Caterers will treat her and Principal Linda Posko with a “lunch box,” for a special lunch together.

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, 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.