Governor Larry Hogan and State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon visited Talbot schools on Friday February 26^th.  Together they toured the new Easton Elementary School building, visiting several classrooms.  Both the Governor and Dr. Salmon took the time to read to students in recognition of Read Across America Day, which takes place next Tuesday March, 2.

Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent of Schools and Dr. Lisa Devaric, Easton Elementary School Principal conducted the tours.  They were joined by County Council Members Laura Price and Pete Lesher, as well as Board of Education members Susan Delean-Botkin, Candace Henry, Emily Jackson, and Otis Sampson.

Photo: At the conclusion of his visit, Governor Hogan expressed appreciation to Dr. Griffith, Dr. Salmon, and Dr. Devaric for their efforts in safely bringing students back into school buildings.

Governor Hogan donned a Dr. Seuss hat and read a story to Mrs. Charlene DeShields’ First Grade class.  The students were excited to see the visitors, and classmates Elsa Matamoros and Juan Sanchez presented Governor Hogan and Dr. Salmon with special books they had created entitled “Welcome to Our Class”.

Both the Governor and Dr. Salmon expressed their appreciation to Dr. Griffith and her leadership team, as well as Talbot County Educators, for their efforts in safely bringing students back into school buildings.

“The State Superintendent and I have been strongly pushing school systems to get students safely back into the classroom by March, and we’re pleased that most systems will resume in-person instruction as of Monday,” said Governor Hogan in a news release. “I’m looking forward to visiting more school systems across the state in the coming weeks to thank all the teachers, staff, and administrators who have been working so hard to get our kids back into the classrooms.”

“MSDE, in collaboration with local school systems, has redefined education by providing research-driven guidance, funding, personal protective equipment, a first-term school year 20-21 performance dashboard, learning-loss recovery strategies and COVID-19 testing in schools,” said Dr. Salmon in a press release from the Governor’s office. “It’s great to be back in classrooms, and we will continue to review statewide strategies to improve student outcomes across the state as we continue in our recovery efforts.”

After visiting Easton Elementary, Dr. Salmon and Dr. Griffith also visited Chapel District Elementary.  Dr. Kari Clow arranged visits to Pre-K, 1^st, 2^nd 4^th, 5th grade classrooms, a 4^th grade P.E. class, and a virtual 4^th grade math class.

“We are seeing more and more families wanting their students to come back.  Right now, we are continuing the Hybrid learning model because of the required six foot distancing. Overall, we have about 71% of our students in school in-person,” said Dr. Griffith.  “The staff is excited to be back, the students are excited to be back, and we will continue to try to bring in as many kids as we can.  We are making changes as we go, and monitoring the situation on a regular basis. If we have to pivot again, we will – PIVOT is our new word this year!”

The Arc Maryland, in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Department of Disabilities, and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, is pleased to announce Easton High School and their student are recent awardees of the “Together We’re Better” Inclusive Education Campaign and Drawing Contest.

The “Together We’re Better” Inclusive Education Drawing Contest is part of a state-wide elementary, middle, and high school campaign to promote disability awareness and provide students with an opportunity to explore and appreciate the diverse abilities and talents of all classmates. This year, over 70 entries were received.  Artwork was selected for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place awards based on messaging, use of medium, and promotion of the contest theme, “Together We’re Better!” The chosen drawings are being incorporated into a Children’s Coloring Book that will be published later this spring.

Photo: Madeline Morrell (left) with her drawing and (top right) First Lady Yumi Hogan; Marcella Franczkowski, MSDE Assistant State Superintendent; Carol Beatty, Secretary of Maryland Department of Disabilities; Rachel London, Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council Executive Director; and Ande Kolp, The Arc Maryland Executive Director.

Easton High School is home to the 3^rd prize awardee! Madeline Morrell (12^th grade) was awarded third place in the drawing contest in a special virtual presentation held on February 9, 2021 by Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan, MSDE Assistant State Superintendent Marcella Franczkowski, and MDOD Secretary Caroll Beatty. Maddie received a gift card for her achievement.

Easton High School received an award donation in the amount of $100 from The Arc Maryland.  The Arc Maryland congratulates Easton High School on their commitment to inclusion!

Artwork submitted to the contest will be displayed virtually throughout Maryland on library social media pages, other public venues online, as well as in a published Coloring Book for younger children.

To view some of the 2020-2021 artwork submissions, please visit The Arc Maryland website: http://www.thearcmd.org/programs/twb/

Each year, Talbot County Public Schools honors teachers and support staff through the Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year Program. This provides the opportunity to recognize outstanding educators who have innovative ideas, focus positive attention on education, and demonstrate superior commitment to students.

Any member of the community may nominate teachers or support staff for these prestigious awards. This year, four finalists have been selected from the nominations for both Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year.

TCPS is pleased to recognize these outstanding educators.

Teacher of the Year Finalists:

Lauren Greer – Science, Biomedical Science and Project Lead the Way Teacher, St. Michaels Middle High School

Kimberly Keech – 8th Grade Science Teacher, Easton Middle School

Kathleen Kelly – 2nd Grade Teacher, Chapel District Elementary School

Katherine Spies – Kindergarten Teacher, Easton Elementary School

Support Staff of the Year Finalists:

Heather Goddard – Instructional Assistant, Special Education, St. Michaels Middle
High School

Ayonna Hayman – Instructional Assistant, Media, St. Michaels Elementary School

Berenice Orellana – School Interpreter, Easton High School

Rebecca Shaw – Instructional Assistant, Kindergarten, Chapel District Elementary

“In a year filled with so many challenges for our students and educators, this recognition is especially significant,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent. “Every member of the TCPS Team has gone above and beyond to continue to inspire our students, even during these unprecedented times. I congratulate all of these amazing individuals on this well-deserved honor.”

The 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the year winners will be announced on April 1, 2021.

The Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of six new Board Members.  Annie Decker, Betsy Griffin, Mariana Lesher, Berenice Orellana, Dale Rauch and Vickie Wilson began their first three-year term in December 2020.

“These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in a broad array of disciplines to the Education Foundation Board,” said Pam Clay, Chair of the Foundation’s Nominating Committee.  “I am very excited to have them join our mission in support of public education in Talbot County.”

Annie Decker is Director, Utilization Management and Review for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. She earned a degree in Nursing from the MacQueen Gibbs Willis School and a degree in Art History at University of MD and Loyola University of Chicago, Rome Italy.  Annie is a member of the Professional Academy of Healthcare Management (PAHM), a Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Emergency Response Nurse Volunteer, and a former President of the Talbot Kennel Club. She is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and when not working with dogs, loves sailing. Her two adult children are alumni of Talbot County Public Schools.

Betsy Griffin is the Advertising Sales Director at APG Chesapeake.  Originally from Richmond, Virginia, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health/Health CareAdministration/Management from Mary Baldwin University.  She is a graduate of Shore Leadership Class of 2016, has served on the Advisory Board of the YMCA of the Chesapeake and on the Boards of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce and Easton Business Alliance, and volunteers as a Meal Server for the Talbot Interfaith Shelter. She has two children who are members of the Easton High graduating class of 2019 and 2021.

Mariana Lesher currently serves as the Director of Data Platforms for the American Hospital Association.  She earned a B.A. in Economics and Spanish Languages and Literature from Swarthmore College and an M.S. in Management Information Systems from the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore. Mariana serves on the Board of Chesapeake Music as Treasurer, is on the Leadership Council at Grace Lutheran Church, and on the Board of the Chesapeake Bay Bermuda 40 Association.  She is also Treasurer and Pack Committee Member for Cub Scout Pack 190, and is an avid sailor. She has two children who attend Talbot County Public Schools.

Berenice Orellana is a Certified Interpreter/Translator at Easton High School.  In this role she facilitates communication between school staff and families in enrollment, parent conferences, and administration of assessments.  Her prior professional experience includes employment with Talbot Bank and Wor Wic Community College. She has also assisted with the instruction of Survival Spanish for police recruits at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy and served on the Advisory Boards of theDepartment of Social Services and the Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center.  She has three daughters who have attended Talbot County Public Schools, one of whom was a member of the Easton High School class of 2020.

Dale Rauchtaught elementary and middle school in Talbot County for 30 years. She then worked for 14 years as an Administrative Assistant to two Maryland Senators for the Maryland General Assembly. She earned a BS in Education from the University of MD, College Park and pursued graduate studies at Loyola College, Trinity College and Salisbury University.  Her hobbies include acting as an extra in movies and television and in commercials and local plays, and volunteering as a “Caring Clown” at Shore Health Hospital. Dale was a member of the Talbot County Education Association and the Maryland State Teacher’s Association.  She is currently on the Board of the Avalon Foundation and the Grandparents Club at White Marsh Elementary. Her two sons are graduates of Talbot County Public Schools.

Vickie Wilson retired from TCPS in 2017 after a37 year career as a Science Teacher, School Counselor and Student Services Worker.  She earned a B.S. in Education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and a Master of Education from Salisbury University. She has served as an Adjunct Professor at Salisbury University and Chesapeake College.  She serves in leadership roles on the Boards of the NAACP, Building African American Minds (BAAM), the Frederick Douglas Honor Society and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  Vickie was a member and former President of the Talbot County Education Association and a member of the National School Counselors Association. She is currently the Vice President of the Talbot County Retired Educators Association.

The Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation was established in 2016 in partnership with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.  Its mission is to engage the community in supporting excellence in public education and provide resources to enhance the teaching and learning experience for all. To date the foundation has funded more than $100,000 in grants for TCPS teachers, including projects such as such as One School One Book, Mobile Science Lab, NJROTC – Project Sea Perch, the Easton Middle School Drumline, and many more, and has raised $100,000 to support virtual learning connectivity for students.

Additional members of the Education Foundation Board are Laura P. Heikes, Chair; Rebecca Firth, Ph.D., Vice Chair; David Short, C.P.A, Treasurer; Patrick Fitzgerald, Esq., Founding Chair; Pamela Clay; Michael Fisher, M.D.; Howard Freedlander, Lindsey Higginbottom, Jeremy Hillyard, Juanita Hopkins, Esq., F. Graham Lee; Jo Ann Asparagus Murray; David “Ty” Russ, Jr., and Vanessa Sullivan.

To learn more about supporting the Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation, visit https://tcpsef.org/ or contact Debbie Gardner, Coordinator of Public Relations and Special Programs at 410-822-0330 ext. 102 or by email at dgardner@talbotschools.org.