Date:  December 19, 2000
Contact: Irene Cromer
(703) 791-8720

 Sixteen Prince William County Public Schools teachers have been recognized by their school communities with nominations for the Washington Post 2001 Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.  The nominees will be honored at a reception on Wednesday, February 7 at 
5:00 p.m.  The reception will be held in the administration building dining room at the School Administration Complex, 14800 Joplin Road, Independent Hill. 

 The Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award program was established by the Post to recognize teachers who exemplify excellence in their profession.  The Post will announce eighteen winners in April, one representing the private schools and seventeen representing the public school systems of the Washington metropolitan area.  Prince William County Public Schools will also recognize the Agnes Meyer Award recipient as its 2000-2001 Teacher of the Year.

The teachers nominated, their curriculum area or grade, and their schools are as follows: Laura Altholz, physical education, Featherstone and Triangle elementary schools; James Dean Bish, United States and Virginia history and twentieth century history, Woodbridge High School; Robin L. Blaemire, speech and language pathologist, Kerrydale Elementary School; Maureen Ellis, pre-IB world studies 9, IB anthropology 11-12, Stonewall Jackson High School; Althena Harris, fifth grade, Nokesville Elementary School; and Mary Devlin Hayden, seventh grade language arts, Graham Park Middle School.

Also, Jean C. Lusardi, chemistry, Woodbridge High School; Donald C. Maeyer, electronic technology, electronics II, Woodbridge High School; Sally M. Graham Martin, business, Brentsville District Middle/High School; Karen Mirkovich, first grade, Thurgood Marshall Elementary School; Betsey Nalevanko, eighth grade language arts and reading/regular education and inclusion special education, Beville Middle School; Elizabeth Pitts, Latin, Forest Park High School; Andrea Sparks-Brown, biology, Woodbridge High School; Julie J. Steelman, first grade, West Gate Elementary School; Donna Stofko, third grade, Rockledge Elementary School; and Michelle P. Wentzel, ED self-contained resource, Stonewall Jackson High School.

A panel of parents, teachers, school and central office administrators, and classified personnel will select the teacher to represent Prince William County.  Teachers who meet the criteria for the award are those who instill in students a desire to learn and achieve; understand the individual needs of students; and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter and 
have the ability to share it effectively with students.