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April 2021, Volume 13, Number 1
The FCPS SurPRIZE Patrol had a busy week! System and community leaders surprised West Frederick Middle's Jennifer Perez Ryan as the 2021-22 FCPS Teacher of the Year. She is in her third year at West Frederick Middle and is an English Learners teacher.
Perez Ryan is the LGBTQ Club Advisor at West Frederick Middle. She recently led a workshop program for teachers that explored the topic of racism, guiding them with strategies to help navigate uncomfortable conversations in the classroom.
Perez Ryan has served on the FCPS Racial Equity Committee since 2019 and was named the 2019 Frederick Center Ally of the Year for her support of LGBTQ students.
Donna Lehman, Middletown High
Middletown High visual arts teacher Donna Lehman earned the Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award for 2021. Sponsored by Hood College, the award is presented to an FCPS teacher who has had a significant impact on young people.
Lehman was nominated by Middletown High Principal Bernard Quesada.
She has taught at Middletown High since 1998 and serves as the visual arts department chair and advisor to the photography club.
Philip Arnold, FCPS Career and Technology Center
FCPS Career and Technology Center instructor Philip Arnold was named the 2021 Washington Post Teacher of the Year.
Arnold teaches Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs at Frederick CTC and has served as a mentor for so many aspiring engineering and architecture students during his more than a decade as an educator.
Arnold was selected from a group of 17 nominees from throughout the region.
Tracy Hilliard, Urbana High
Urbana High's Tracy Hilliard was named the FCPS finalist for the Washington Post Principal of the Year award.
Hilliard has helped the Urbana Elementary community transition into its new school building this year.
Previously, she served as the principal at Centerville Elementary. She has received numerous leadership honors, including National Distinguished Principal of the Year in 2018.
FCPS All-Star Achieving the Promise of Public Education
This month’s FCPS All-Star is Jill Ensor, an administrative secretary at Oakdale High. One of her many responsibilities is managing the school’s operating budget and student activity fund.
"During virtual learning, [Ensor] went above and beyond to meet the needs of teachers and students," Oakdale High principal Lisa Smith said. "Not only is she a phenomenal steward of Oakdale High resources, but she is also an organizational mastermind."
If a task needs to be accomplished, Ensor works tirelessly to coordinate resources and execute the vision.
Nominate a colleague for FCPS All-Star recognition!
Recent FCPS All-Star Award Recipients
Erica Cummins, Assistant Principal, Centerville Elementary Jeremy Eccard, Lead Video Production Specialist, Public Affairs Becky Hunter, Teacher, Thurmont Middle Brandon Leatherman, Locksmith, Maintenance Kalia Kelly, Teacher, Urbana Elementary Lauren Pearce, Teacher, Urbana Elementary Beth Tran, Teacher, Deer Crossing Elementary
Accolades
FCPS TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Congratulations to the five FCPS Teacher of the Year finalists: Jennifer Perez Ryan, West Frederick Middle; Chanese Goodman, Tuscarora Elementary; Donna Karajeh, Middletown Middle; Michael Lepeonka, Parkway Elementary; and Christy Williams, Urbana Elementary. Perez Ryan was named the 2021-22 Teacher of the Year last week.
VANGUARD TEACHING PROGRAM FCPS partners with Hood College to provide outstanding leadership development opportunities for teachers. Congratulations to our fifth cohort of Vanguard teachers!
CONGRATS TO BILL MEEKINS! Congratulations to Bill Meekins, Buyer Specialist in the Purchasing Department, for successfully completing the NIGP-CPP Exam Module B in February and earning NIGP-CPP certification from The Institute for Public Procurement during the first year of the program.
News to Use
OPEN ENROLLMENT Open enrollment will be held May 1-25. During this time, you will be able to change benefit elections for the next fiscal year. Your changes will become effective July 1. If you make no changes, your benefits will stay in place with the exception of flexible spending for medical and dependent care expenses. You must re-enroll in FSA each year. More details are available online.
FCPS SUMMER WORK SCHEDULE Once again, FCPS will observe four-day workweeks for Summer 2021. The four-day workweek schedule takes effect Monday, June 21. FCPS will resume the five-day workweek schedule Monday, August 9. More details are available online.
FCPS Fast Fact
64 percent
The percentage of students throughout FCPS who were taking advantage of in-person instruction as of April 23. We have made great progress during this global health crisis, and we cannot thank our staff enough for doing all they can for students, regardless of where they are learning.
The FCPS Insider is published monthly August-May by the FCPS Public Affairs Department, 191 S. East St., Frederick, MD 21701. It features employee news and accolades.
Brief information, subject to edits, and captioned photos for possible inclusion are due to Brandon.Oland@fcps.org by the 15th of the month. For more information: 301-696-6905. See past editions.