Hoyer Meets With 5th District Educators

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) invited a group of the state’s best teachers and principals to lunch in Upper Marlboro in May. Congressman Hoyer was recognized 15 of the best educators in Maryland, including The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year finalists and County Teacher of the Year Award recipients for Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s counties.

“I was pleased to honor Fifth District educators today and celebrate the work they are doing to provide our students with the tools to succeed,” Congressman Hoyer said May 27. “In December, Congress enacted a bipartisan reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which is called the Every Student Succeeds Act. The intent of the law is to improve the system for students, teachers, and administrators while preserving the civil rights legacy of the original ESEA.”

Congressman Hoyer said he is working with other legislators to ensure the law is fully implemented and funded.

“I’m proud that the Full-Service Community Schools program, which I have championed through my career, was included in this bill. I have seen first-hand how this wrap-around model works through the Judy centers here in Maryland, and I look forward to expanding this model nationwide. I am also pleased that this bill includes increased access to preschool because starting early is the best way to make sure kids are well prepared to succeed. I thank our Fifth District teachers and principals for their commitment to our students and for all that they do as outstanding Maryland educators,” the congressman said.

The following educators were honored:

St. Mary’s County

• Audrey Ellis, Piney Point Elementary School, The Washington Post Principal of the Year
• April Wathen, George Washington Carver Elementary School, The Washington Post Teacher of the Year
• Alison Sayers, Fairlead Academy, St. Mary’s County Teacher of the Year

Anne Arundel County

• John Yore, Meade High School, The Washington Post Principal of the Year
• Carol Bak, Chesapeake High School, The Washington Post Teacher of the Year
• Katrina Griffin, North County High School, Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year

Calvert County

• Toni Chapman, St. Leonard Elementary School, The Washington Post Principal of the Year
• David Redden, Calvert High School, The Washington Post Teacher of the Year
• Donna Miller, Windy Hill Middle School, Calvert County Teacher of the Year

Charles County

• Sonia Jones, Mattawoman Middle School, The Washington Post Principal of the Year
• Kevin Barry, La Plata High School, The Washington Post Teacher of the Year
• Jillian Durr, Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Charles County Teacher of the Year

Prince George’s County

• Kathy Richard Andrews, Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC, Thje Washington Post Principal of the Year
• William Moulden, Samuel Ogle Middle School, The Washington Post Teacher of the Year
• Amanda Espina, Benjamin D. Foulois Academy, Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year
• Angela Malone, Oxon Hill Middle School, Milken Educator Award

Congressman Hoyer additionally honored Monifa McKnight of Ridgeview Middle School in Montgomery County, named Principal of the Year in 2015 by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals.

For more information about House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer, visit his Leader Page.