Three Charles teachers earn national kudos

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Three Charles County Public Schools teachers recently joined the ranks of accomplished teachers nationwide by earning National Board Certification.

Aparna Joshi, Michele King and Julie Verras each completed a yearlong performance-based assessment series to become 2009 Nationally Board Certified Teachers, according to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Joshi is a gifted education teacher at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School in Waldorf and earned a generalist/middle childhood certificate; King is a fifth-grade teacher at William B. Wade Elementary School in Waldorf and earned a generalist/middle childhood certificate; and Verras is a third-grade teacher at Mary B. Neal Elementary School in Waldorf and earned a reading-language arts/early and middle childhood certificate.

Board certified teachers must complete an extensive review of their skills and work, which includes teacher portfolios, student work samples, videotapes and thorough analysis of the candidates' classroom teaching and student learning. Teachers also complete a series of written exercises that probe the depth of their subject-matter knowledge and their understanding of how to teach that material to students.

The three teachers join 8,900 teachers nationwide, and 305 in Maryland who achieved National Board Certification in 2009. Certification is valid for 10 years, after which a teacher may seek renewal. Charles County Public Schools has 22 nationally certified teachers.

By achieving National Board Certification, the Charles County teachers are eligible for a $2,500 stipend added to their annual salary as well as an annual $1,000 incentive from the Maryland State Department of Education.

Park service to host presentation

The National Park Service will host a presentation at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site to honor Women's History Month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20 in the visitor center. Thomas Stone NHS is at 6655 Rose Hill Road, Port Tobacco between routes 6 and 225, three miles west of La Plata.

Park guide Amanda Long will give a presentation on the role of women in America's fight for independence. Among the women she will discuss are well-known figures such as Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and Betsy Ross along with other lesser-known, but heroic women such as Deborah Sampson, Margaret Corbin and Deborah Champion.

Visitors will learn how the courageous actions of women during the American Revolution inspired the nation to strive for the tantalizing goal of freedom.

The program will last approximately 30 minutes.

The Stone site will be open for the event from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tours will be offered on the hour and half-hour starting at 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The park contains the restored home of Thomas Stone, outbuildings and cemetery. The visitor center features exhibits highlighting Southern Maryland, a sales area and restrooms. Admission to the park is free. Parking is available at the visitor center.

Call 301-392-1776 or go to www.nps.gov/thst.

Artist workshops set

The Charles County Arts Alliance announced its Annual spring artist workshop series.

All workshops are held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Corner Studio in La Plata. For directions, call Connie Miller at 301-259-0311.

The first workshop will be March 8 with Jung Lea Smith on "Animal Portraits in Watercolor." Fee is $30.

Smith is an award-winning artist from Northern Virginia, according to an arts alliance press release. She works in various media, including watercolor, oil, acrylic and pastel. She has painted portraits in all of these media, many as commissions.

Other workshops include April 14, Ray Ewing, "Painting Water and Reflections in Watercolor," $30; May 22, Carolyn Gawarecki, "Rendering Marshes in Watercolor," $35; and June 15: Lorina Harris, "Acrylic Abstractions," $30.

To register, e-mail info@charlescountyarts.org or call 301-392-5900.

Programs planned on rail trail

The Charles County Parks & Recreation Division will offer several new opportunities to meet fellow trail enthusiasts, get fit and enjoy the recently completed 13-mile Indian Head Rail Trail.

Groups will begin meeting the week of April 12 (unless otherwise noted) at the Theodore Green Boulevard parking area in White Plains.

All activities are free, but registration is required.

A mom/dad and tot walk will offer parents and children a chance to socialize, exercise and enjoy nature on the trail. It will be held 10 a.m. Tuesdays.

There will be a 50 and older walking group that will meet at 10 a.m. Thursdays to walk the trail.

A women's fun run will be held at 5 p.m. Mondays.

Saturday outings are being offered for people with special needs who want to joins others for a slow-paced walk to get fit. Caregivers/parents must attend to provide supervision. The outings will be 9 a.m. April 10 and 24 and May 8 and 22.

For additional information or to register, call 301-932-3470.

Volunteers are also being sought to serve as trail attendants.

Trail attendants will monitor trail activities, conduct safety patrols and assist trail patrons. Volunteers work a flexible schedule (sign up for as little as two days per month) and must be 18 or older.

For more information, call 301-885-0861 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Spring is on its way

The Alice Ferguson Foundation's spring festival will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1 at Hard Bargain Farm.

Enjoy the view, the natural areas and the lively barnyard that is a "living laboratory" for thousands of children each year, a foundation press release stated. Highlights of the festival include a plant sale with vegetables, herbs, perennials, annuals and native plants; live music; an arts and crafts show and sale; hay wagon rides to the Potomac River for a fee; barnyard demonstrations including cow milking, sheep shearing, antique tools, wool spinning, butter churning and blacksmithing. Call 301-292-5665.

Hard Bargain is at 2001 Bryan Point Road in Accokeek.

Capt. John Smith Water Trail author to speak

The Galesville Heritage Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 9 at the Galesville Memorial Hall at 925 Main St. in Galesville.

John Page Williams, senior naturalist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, will give a presentation, "Seeing the Chesapeake With New Eyes — Exploring the Water Trail of Captain John Smith." The menu will be corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, salad and dessert. The price is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

Make reservations by March 5 by calling Dee Dixon at 410-867-3622 or e-mailing deejdixon@yahoo.com. Those who make a reservation and do not attend or cancel will be billed.

Williams will share some of his adventures as he traversed in small boats much of the water trail that Captain Smith did in the 17th century.