HCPSSHCPSS Honors Outstanding Teachers, Staff with School System Awards
April 24th, 2015
Howard County Public School System recently recognized several teachers and staff members with the school system’s 2015 Crystal Flame Awards. The Crystal Flame Award acknowledges achievements by groups or individual staff members in the four goal areas of strategic importance to the school system success. The award supports Howard County Public School System’s strategic plan, Vision 2018.
The winner in the Goal 1: Students category was Matthew Cox, Mathematics Instructional Support Teacher at Wilde Lake High School. Cox created Math Help on Main Street, which provides additional math assistance to students on a voluntary basis before, during, and after school. Cox supports Vision 2018 by helping every student achieve academic excellence in an inspiring, engaging, and supportive environment.
The Goal 2: Staff category winner was Ann Thompson, Teachers’ Secretary at Rockburn Elementary School. Thompson sets a tone of warmth and enthusiasm while supporting morning announcements, assisting with kindergarten registration, heading the building relations committee, and her critical role in implementing the student information system at Rockburn Elementary. Thompson is dedicated to making sure that every staff member is engaged, supported, and successful.
In the Goal 3: Families and the Community category, Ann Strozyk, environmental educator at the Howard County Conservancy was the winner. Strozyk has infused the resources of the Howard County Conservancy and other community organizations into the HCPSS curriculum and classroom. Strozyk engages students in learning and supports families and the community as partners in education.
The Goal 4: Organization award went to Pupil Transportation Office Director David Ramsay. Ramsay implemented significant process improvements to optimize bus service capacity and efficiency, and enhanced community access to information regarding bus routes and other transportation options. Ramsay’s leadership supports schools through world-class organizational practices.
School system leaders offered personal congratulations to all winners during surprise visits at their work locations on April 23.