FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE N.R. . #227, 3/23/05 Date: March 23, 2005 GAR-FIELD HIGH SCHOOL’S MICHAEL AHERN IS TEACHER OF THE YEAR Michael Ahern, a chemistry teacher at Gar-Field High School, has been selected as Prince William County’s Teacher of the Year and the recipient of the 2005 Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award. The finalists are Dawn Rutland, sixth and seventh grade teacher at New Dominion Alternative School, and Susan Bonekemper, kindergarten teacher at Penn Elementary School. The School Board will honor these teachers during the regular board meeting on March 30, which will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 21.
Ahern is known for his dynamic teaching style. His students never know what to expect, his nominators say. On any given day, students’ senses may be awakened with loud explosions of hydrogen gas; “bending” of water to demonstrate inter-molecular forces; multi-colored “flame tests” to show the excitation of electrons; soap bubbles suspended in mid-air to demonstrate the concepts of game density; a helium-filled blimp that travels around the classroom to illustrate gas laws; and an “air cannon” that can ruffle students’ hair from across the room. Ahern was instrumental in the development of the IB Programme at Gar-Field and the IB Middle Years Programme at Godwin Middle School. Nominated by his students for the Virginia Governor’s School Outstanding Educator Award, he has influenced many of his students who “want to be just like Mr. Ahern when I grow up.” Numerous former students are now pursuing degrees in chemical engineering. One student is studying for a master’s degree in education so she “can teach IB Chemistry back at Gar-Field, just like Mr. Ahern.” Ahern’s teaching methods also influence colleagues who want to be “like Mike.”
Rutland works tirelessly to help her students overcome behavioral obstacles. One of her students was kicked out of her house and was forced to survive on her own. Rutland helped her turn her negative experiences into a positive path and she became one of the school’s top performers.
“She is responsible, in large part, for the kindergarten math curriculum used in Prince William County…she developed the curriculum for a graduate level math course for kindergarten teachers and shared strategies to teach math for the entire kindergarten year…Sue IS kindergarten mathematics in Prince William County,” says Linda Zborofsky, county elementary math coordinator. All children in Bonekemper’s
classroom are challenged; instructions are tailored to the student.
Cheerios, M & Ms, applesauce, and peanut butter are used to learn
about math and science concepts. Bonekemper visited one of her students
at the hospital who was diagnosed with cancer the summer following kindergarten,
often performing science experiments with her. She encouraged her to
write a book about her illness to help other children cope. Eight years
after her ordeal, the student continues to stay in touch with Bonekemper.
Another student who said Bonekemper gave him the desire and confidence
to learn and achieve has never forgotten
###
|
Michael
Ahern teaches International Baccalaureate Chemistry, Pre-IB Chemistry,
and Chemistry at Gar-Field High School. He also teaches his students
effective note-taking, organizational, and time management skills they
need to be successful in the rigorous IB curriculum. Last year, ninety-seven
percent of his students passed the chemistry SOL. His IB students exceeded
the world mean and every one of his students earned a “7”
on the laboratory portfolio, the maximum score. 
Dawn
Rutland’s nominators say that she shares Ghandi’s motto,
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Rutland works
to change a challenging group of students who lack motivation and can
be disruptive. When students enter New Dominion they are academically
assessed. The “Queen of Remediation” creates lesson plans
designed to hook their interests. Vocabulary kickball is played to teach
new words. Classroom animals help teach biology. During multicultural
week, Rutland teaches about Ancient Israel dressed in a toga with a
laurel wreath decorating her head and serves ethnic foods and drinks.
During Spirit Week each day has a theme. On Career Day, students dress
up in career attire for their area of interest. Rutland designed a morning
warm-up activity using vocabulary across the curriculum to help students
prepare for their tests. After a year of learning, students in her classes
have measured significant gains, some experiencing as much as two to
three years of growth. 
Susan
Bonekemper, a kindergarten teacher at Penn Elementary School, has inspired
and impressed students, teachers, and administrators throughout her
forty-one year teaching career. She has worked for four county schools
since 1976, three of which she helped open. Considered a master teacher
and a consummate professional by her colleagues, Bonekemper has mentored
many teachers to become better educators.