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FCPS Announces Franklin as Teacher of the Year

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Catoctin High School physical education teacher Mike Franklin was named the Frederick County Public Schools 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year during Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban’s “Prize Patrol” visit to his school. The school system’s most prestigious award recognizes outstanding representatives of the teaching profession. In addition to teaching physical education, Franklin chairs the department at his school. He also teaches Fitness for Life through the FCPS Virtual School, coaches baseball, coordinates the Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, and chairs his school’s ROAR Club. He has earned numerous awards including 2014 Maryland Outstanding PE Teacher, 2016 Hood College Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award, and was named 2017 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year.

“We had 70 outstanding Teacher of the Year nominees,” said Alban. “Mr. Franklin’s emphasis on positivity and service to others makes him an excellent representative of quality teaching in Frederick County.”

“There is no more powerful tool than praise,” Franklin says and explains that he believes in the “catch ‘em being good” philosophy of encouraging students to succeed.

“I believe in celebrating successes daily. I’ve seen the power of a compliment or even a simple phone call home to let the parents know their child is awesome.”

One challenge we face in education, he adds, is that “we must make sure that students are ready to learn. We have hungry students, homeless students, students who are battling through family issues.” Teachers can help them develop abilities to manage emotions. “I want my classroom to be a 90-minute vacation from whatever challenges the students are facing in life,” Franklin explains.

As a coach, he asks players to fist-bump a statue as they prepare for athletics practice to signify, “I’m changing attitudes.” He advises scholar-athletes that when they make an error they can take their hat off to signify they let go of their frustrations and put it back on when they “have their minds right” to move forward. Likewise, during the school day, teachers help when they meet students at the door with a positive greeting and help them to do something to identify that they have figuratively “changed hats” and are ready to learn. The most powerful tool we have is our minds, says Franklin: “A compliment can make a kid feel like a million dollars when he’s broke.” 

Principal Bernie Quesada shares this wholehearted endorsement: “Mr. Franklin has made a difference for thousands of children in Frederick County in his coaching, mentoring, teaching, and, most importantly, the example he sets for all those who are in his class or work with him. His involvement with the community and the impact he has had on our area are remarkable. Just this past holiday season, he organized a food drive and came to work early every morning to stand outside as the buses arrived and collect items for the local food pantry. That is one of hundreds of examples of selfless actions he has shared as a teacher and colleague. You will not find a more influential teacher leader in FCPS.”

FCPS will celebrate Franklin and each school-selected Teacher of the Year at a special event Friday, May 10 from 4-6 p.m. at Tuscarora High School. The Board of Education will honor Franklin at their meeting on Wednesday, September 11. He and other Maryland district Teachers of the Year will receive honors at a state-wide gala on October 25. Of the 24 local Teachers of the Year, one will be selected the Maryland Teacher of the Year and go on to compete for the National Teacher of the Year award.

Franklin was grateful to receive gifts from community organizations supporting the FCPS Teacher of the Year. Signifying the year 2019, Stauffer Funeral Home donated $2,019, FERKO donated $500, Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre donated tickets valued at $100, and Fountain Rock Restaurant Group donated a $150 gift certificate.

2019-2020 Teacher of the Year Michael Franklin with (left to right) his children Haylee Bentley, Kaylee Franklin and Kathan Franklin, and his wife Kristie Franklin

FCPS Names Five Finalists for Teacher of the Year

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Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) announced the five teachers advancing as finalists for the 2019-2020 FCPS Teacher of the Year Award, the county’s most prestigious award for teachers. Every school in FCPS is asked to nominate at least one outstanding teacher every year to be selected as the county’s Teacher of the Year. This year, after several stages of review that included interviews and submitting essays and other materials, FCPS has narrowed the field to five outstanding finalists.

Local Catoctin High School’s Michael Franklin (pictured left) is one of the five finalists. Franklin teaches physical education and chairs the department at Catoctin High School. He also teaches Fitness for Life though the FCPS Virtual School, coaches baseball, coordinates the Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, and chairs the ROAR Club. He has earned numerous awards, including 2014 Maryland Outstanding PE Teacher, 2016 Hood College Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award, and 2017 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year.

The other four finalists are Leslie Byrd, Linganore High; Lydia Kowalski, Tuscarora High; Matthew McVay, Monocacy Middle; and John Yoho, Brunswick High.

FCPS will announce the winner of the 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year award later this spring. View the list of 2019 nominees and their photos online at www.fcps.org/toy.

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Outstanding Catoctin Feeder Area Teachers Recognized

The Thurmont Lions Club honored thirty-two teachers at their “Teacher of the Year” reception, held on April 21, 2016, at Emmitsburg Elementary School. The reception is an annual event, sponsored by the club, so that teachers who have made an impact on students and the school community can be recognized. For a teacher to be recognized, nomination letters had to be submitted by students, parents, administrators, and colleagues, who shared their thoughts about why that teacher is so appreciated and how he or she has made a difference for them. These letters were shared at the reception by committee members, parents, students, and administrators.

From among these nominees, one teacher was chosen as the “Teacher of the Year” from each school. These teachers attended the Thurmont Lions Club Education Night on May 11, 2016, where one teacher was selected as the Thurmont Lions Club “Teacher of the Year.” Last year’s recipient was Charlene Rippeon of Emmitsburg Elementary School.  The teachers nominated from each school and the “Teacher of the Year” from each school are as follows: Catoctin High School: Tyler Ausherman, Mayellen Taylor, Theresa Hutchinson, Rick Brainerd, Terri Gibbons, and Ben Zamostny as “Teacher of the Year”; Emmitsburg Elementary: Tamara Reed, Theresa Krantz, Bonita Hopkins, Leslie Frei, Brooke Adams, and Sarah Fawley as “Teacher of the Year”; Lewistown Elementary School: Tyler Myers, Erin Murphy, and Lauren Clore as “Teacher of the Year”; Charles Hubbard was recognized as “Custodian of the Year” for receiving a nomination; Mother Seton School: Danielle Kuykendall and Sheila Dorsey as “Teacher of the Year”; Thurmont Elementary School: Ryan Oman, Jennifer Reynolds, and Kim Stevens as “Teacher of the Year”; Thurmont Middle School: Mary Lee Quealy, Berna LaForce, Jennifer Shesman, Carol Britton, Alicia Kuchinsky, and Sean Tucker as “Teacher of the Year”; Thurmont Primary School: Lauren Burdette, Joni Wiles, Stacy Bokinsky, and Ellen Slotwinski as “Teacher of the Year”; Sabillasville Elementary School: Jennifer Rutherford as “Teacher of the Year.” Congratulations to all of the very deserving nominees!

 

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FFA Members Honored at Annual FFA Banquet

Madelyn Krantz, Catoctin FFA Reporter

The Catoctin FFA’s annual parent/member banquet was held on May 14, 2015. The Catoctin FFA members and supporters were recognized for their accomplishments for the past year. First year members, also known as Greenhands, were recognized with the Greenhand Degree. Liz Bisbee, Jimmy Kempisty, Tiffany Lenhart, Kaitlynn Neff, Dylan Harmon, Madelyn Krantz, Megan McIntosh, Michael Phelps, Mackenzie Henderson, Brietta Latham, and Stephanie Moreland earned this degree this year. Kaitlynn Neff and Stephanie Moreland were recognized as Star Greenhand members. May Cruz, Jonathan Hubbard, and Johnny Kempisty earned the Chapter Degree this year. Kayla Umbel was recognized as the Star Chapter Member. Honorary Chapter Degrees were presented to Jim Barth and Tractor Supply Company #4166. Liz Bisbee, Mackenzie Henderson, Dylan Harmon, Jimmy Kempisty, Madelyn Krantz, Tiffany Lenhart, Stephanie Moreland, Kaitlynn Neff, and Michael Phelps all received corduroy FFA jackets from ten sponsors that donated money for them; these generous sponsors are Brian Hendrickson, Don Hendrickson, Bob and Cheryl Lenhart and family, Jeff and Karen McAfee, Michael and Amy Poffenberger, Paul and Tracey Schur, Shawn and Sarah Shriner, Norman and Sandy Shriver, the Cliff Stewart family, and Bob and Carolyn Wiles.

Megan Millison was recognized as the Community Show Unsung Hero. The Thurmont Grange Unsung Hero award was presented to Hannah Barth. Taylor Eiker was named the Chapter’s Unsung Hero, and was presented a plaque sponsored by the Frederick County Farm Bureau. The Dekalb Award is presented to a senior member who excels in the classroom and has an excellent SAE project at home. Nicki Milbourne was presented the Dekalb Award. Hannah Barth was recognized as the Chapter Star in Agri Science. Nicki Milbourne was the Chapter Star Farmer. The Scholastic Achievement Award, which is given to the senior FFA member with the highest grade point average, was presented to Hannah Barth.

Jonathan Hubbard was presented awards for being the top salesman for Fall Citrus and Nuts, Spring Fruit and Nuts and Meatsticks. Hannah Barth was the top salesman for the annual butchering.

Theresa Hutchinson and Tyler Wolf were honored with the Advisor Appreciation Award. Allen Haines was presented a gift certificate as a huge thank you for all that he does to help us at our butchering.

The 2015-2016 Catoctin FFA Senior Officers are: President Megan Millison, Vice President Stephanie Kennedy, Secretary Kayla Umbel, Treasurer Tiffany Lenhart, Reporter Madelyn Krantz, Sentinel Dusty Hahn, Historian Stephanie Moreland, and Parliamentarian May Cruz.

The Catoctin FFA is very thankful for all of the support that we had this past year. Without your support, we would not be able to do all that we do. We are excited for the upcoming year!

FFA

Pictured from left are: (back row) Kayla Umbel, Stephanie Kennedy, Dusty Hahn, Megan Millison, and Tiffany Lenhart; (front row) Maddie Krantz, May Cruz, and Stephanie Moreland.

Courtesy Photo

2015 Thurmont Middle School Leo of the Year

Leo Lynn Morlier was awarded the 2015 Thurmont Middle School (TMS) Leo of the Year at the Thurmont Lions Club’s youth meeting on March 25, 2015. Leo Lynn is self-motivated, participates in a majority of the club’s fundraisers, volunteers at the TMS library, participates in monthly book clubs, was selected for the TMS Honor’s Band, received TMS citizenship awards, and is an honor roll student. In addition, she is a cadet in the Girl Scouts, active in the church’s youth group, and volunteers at the Frederick Rescue Mission and SERVV, which is a fair trade non-profit organization. Congratulations, Leo Lynn!

Leo of the Year - Thurmont Lions Club

Pictured from left are Lion Joyce Anthony, TLC Leo Advisor; Mrs. Morlier (Lynn’s mother); Leo Lynn Morlier; Leo President Annalise Lewis, and Lion Gayle DiSalvo, TLC Leo advisor.

 

Thurmont Lions Club’s 2015 Teacher of the Year

The Thurmont Lions Club’s 2015 Teacher of the Year was awarded to Charlene Rippeon, a teacher at Emmitsburg Elementary School.

Charlene was nominated by her Principal, Mary Ann Wiles, who said, “She embodies the spirit of the school and goes above and beyond the classroom to provide a warm, caring, and enriching learning environment for the students, while on the sidelines cheering for the students, her colleagues, and building relationships with everyone. Congratulations, Ms. Charlene Rippeon.”

Thurmont Lions Club Teacher of the Year

Pictured from left are Tracey Lucas, Executive Director of School Administration and Leadership, FCPS; Charlene Rippeon; Lion JR Wantz, President of TLC; and Lion Joyce Anthony.

Tyrian Masonic Lodge Presents Annual Scholarships

Tyrian Masonic Lodge No. 205 presented scholarships at their annual Strawberry Night, held at Elias Lutheran Church social hall on Thursday, June 11, 2015. This year, $500 scholarships were presented to Stacie Baust and Katey Kramlick to continue their education. Stacie attends Frederick Community College, and Katey is attending Carroll Community College. Brother Ron Cool was also presented the Solomon Builders II pin by Grand Lodge of Maryland for membership.

Any student attending college or aspiring to attend may apply to Maryland Masonic Lodges scholarship programs to receive financial help. Contact any Lodge member for information.

Tyrian lodge scholarship

Pictured from left are Stacie Baust, Katey Kramlick, Worshipful Master Ernie Gelwicks, Temple Holding Treas. Austin Fogle.

Kindergarten Teacher Honored as Thurmont Lions Club Teacher of the Year for Mother Seton School

If you want to see young chefs creating a recipe for Stone Soup or budding scientists reading the outdoor thermometer to chart the daily temperature or writers creating an illustrated life of Mother Seton to read to their families, just travel to Connie Richwine’s kindergarten class at Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg.

The veteran educator—with twenty-six years of educational experience, eight of those at Mother Seton School—is loved by students, staff, and parents alike for her creativity and enthusiasm in teaching. This is one of the reasons she was selected by students and parents to receive the Thurmont Lions Club Teacher of the Year award for Mother Seton School.

“I was so pleasantly surprised to receive the Thurmont Lions Club Teacher of the Year award,” said Richwine. “I deeply appreciate the kind and generous words expressed in the letters written about me.”

The Thurmont Lions Club presents the Teacher of the Year award annually to teachers selected by their schools in the Catoctin Feeder. A donation to the school is part of the award.

“We are blessed to count a teacher like Connie among our faculty at Mother Seton School,” said Sister Brenda Monahan, D.C., principal. “For her, teaching is not just a job, it is a calling, and that is evident in her dedication to her students. She touches everyone she meets with her joyful light.”

As the wife of an Air Force officer, Richwine has enjoyed a career that has stretched from serving as a resource teacher in Selma, Alabama, to teaching in a one-room schoolhouse five miles from the Canadian border. She previously served as the principal of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic School in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, before retiring as an administrator to return to the classroom eight years ago.

“Teaching my students is something I look forward to each and every day,” stated Richwine. “I learn as much from my students as they learn from me. I have truly been blessed to have been a part of the best profession possible!” 3Learn more about the s128 website which is increasingly popular in Indonesia. A culture that eventually turns this betting game into online gambling betting, namely: s1288 Has a way of playing that is so easy for everyone to play. Without having to use big money to do it.

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Connie Richwine is shown here with three of her students: (from left) Olivia Jeager, Logan Crutchfield, and Torrance Bassler.

Thurmont Middle’s Amanda Portner Named County Teacher of the Year

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James Rada, Jr.

When Amanda Portner was a young girl, she would pretend to be a teacher, writing on a chalkboard and assigning classwork. Of course, she may be the only teacher to have ever been given a time-out by her mother.

“I kept trying to give my little sister detention, because she wouldn’t do the homework that I assigned her,” Portner said.

Portner, who is a literacy specialist at Thurmont Middle School, was named the Frederick County Public Schools 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year.

“I was absolutely floored when I found out,” Portner said. “They got me good.”

Portner thought that the school was going to have a celebration of the end of state testing in April. She was standing on the stage behind the curtain with others, expecting a pep rally to start, but when the principal came out and started speaking, Portner realized that she wasn’t talking about testing.

Then the curtains opened and Portner saw students applauding, as well as her friends, mother, husband, and sister. The pep rally was actually a gathering to announce Portner was teacher of the year.

Portner has been a teacher for nineteen years, all of them with Frederick County Public Schools. She began her career at Thomas Johnson Middle School as a theater arts teacher and eventually became a language arts teacher.

In 2005, she became a secondary literacy specialist at Walkersville High School. In 2008, she became a teacher specialist for secondary English/language arts in the Central Office. In 2012, she returned to the role of secondary literacy specialist at Thurmont Middle School.

Portner was delighted to teach at Thurmont Middle, because she also lived in the community until March of this year with her husband, Joe, and their dog, Peanut.

“I love the community,” Portner said. “I lived here for thirteen years, and I was excited to come here as a teacher.”

Since 2000, she has served as an FCPS curriculum writer and teacher trainer. She’s co-directed the Maryland Writing Project for Frederick since 2008, and, since 2014, she has also taught English for the FCPS Virtual School.

“I was meant to be a teacher,” Portner said. “Even as a child, I played school once I was old enough to have chalk.”

Portner said that she loves working with middle-school children. “There’s something magical about being in school with children that age and seeing them figure out their identities,” said Portner.

Since the announcement, those students have been giving Portner a lot of high-fives when they see her in the hall, offering her congratulations. Portner was chosen as teacher of the year from among sixty-four nominees.

“Amanda’s enthusiasm is contagious, and she is a master at inspiring others. Teachers flock to her professional development offerings, finding Amanda to be an expert in what she shares and full of ‘no nonsense’ examples and strategies that they can use in the classroom the next day. Teachers also appreciate her wonderfully warm sense of humor and presentation style,” said Principal Jennifer Powell.

The Board of Education of Frederick County honored Portner and the other nominees at the May 13, 2015, meeting.

The Maryland Board of Education honored Portner and all the state’s school district teacher of the year winners at a luncheon on May 19, 2015. The Maryland Teacher of the Year will be announced in October. The winner will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Portner

Amanda Portner (pictured), the literacy specialist at Thurmont Middle School, was named the Frederick County Public Schools 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year.

Photo by James Rada, Jr.

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They have a way with words. They are the Scribbler’s Club at Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg.This group of third through fifth graders meets on Tuesdays to learn more about writing better and to share their stories.

Whether it is a story about sibling rivalry or a poem about Harry Potter, these young writers are anxious to try new ways to express themselves through the written word.

“This is creative outlet for these kids,” says Club Advisor Lynn Tayler. “A lot of kids love to write, and they get to do that here.”

She said that her goal is to have the young writers contribute at least one story to an end-of-the-year journal that will show off the best that the Scribbler’s Club has to offer.

The club meets on Tuesdays after school in the library. They come in with journals filled with stories, poems, and ideas that they have been working on throughout the week.

“I like writing because it allows you to express your feelings,” said Ella Lowry, a third grader.

The club is currently made up of approximately a dozen students. About two thirds of them are girls, but the different writing interests are evenly spread among the group members.

Fourth-grader Beckett Taylor likes writing action and adventure stories. “I like being able to write whatever stories I want and not just what I have to for school,” he said.

Club Advisor Lynn Tayler and her co-advisor, Dianne Hoffman, introduce the students to new types of writing and have them experiment with them. It might be through writing prompts or worksheets with examples of different types of writing.

For Valentine’s Day, the group experimented writing different types of poetry.

“It exercises my head,” said Gray Grube, a third grader. “I like it.”

The goal of the club is to encourage these young writers to not only engage their imaginations but to be able to express those ideas.

Fifth-grader Mia Furraro says that she has always loved to write. “I love to express how I feel through words and with my imagination, and I want to get better at it,” she said.

Third through fifth grade students in the Scribbler’s Club at Mother Seton School meet every Tuesday to share their stories and to express their ideas and creativity through writing.

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Photo by James Rada, Jr.

Mother Seton School Alumni Present Gift for Scholarship Fund

The Jack and Shirley Little Scholarship Fund at Mother Seton School (MSS) will help a few more families this year, thanks to the efforts of the Little Family. On December 15, 2014, Tony Little, Mary-Lou Little, and Jane Moore, presented MSS Principal Sr. Brenda Monahan, D.C. with a check for $10,000 (the proceeds from the annual Angels Above Alumni Golf Tournament). The 2014 event was held on October 3 at the Mountain View Golf Club in Fairfield, Pennsylvania.

The tournament began as a promise made to their dying father that the Little siblings would do something to repay the generosity shown their parents when they sent their six children to MSS in the 1970s and 1980s. Tony, a graduate of MSS in 1978, followed through with that commitment and, with his siblings—Tim, Mary Lou, Pam, Scott, and Ed—launched the golf tournament as a means to raise money for the Jack and Shirley Little Scholarship Fund at Mother Seton School.

To date, the tournament has raised over $60,000 for the fund and helped numerous families afford the cost of tuition to MSS.

“We want to continue to help Mother Seton School grow and thrive, and not have money be an issue (for families who wish to enroll their children),” Tony Little said.

“We are grateful to the Little Family for their generosity and continued commitment to Catholic education,” said Monahan. “Mother Seton School helps students to integrate their faith into every aspect of life. Our students excel academically and have the opportunity to experience a diverse selection of extracurricular activities. Thanks to the support of the Little Family, we can meet the growing demand for financial assistance so that families can choose and remain in a Catholic School.”

Tony Little remains humble about his and his siblings contributions. “None of us do this for recognition, only to keep mom and dad’s dream alive. For that reason, we will continue our efforts to contribute to the scholarship fund.”

The next Angels Above Alumni Golf Tournament will be held on October 2, 2015.

The Little Family donated $10,000 towards the Mother Seton School scholarship, named for their parents, Jack and Shirley Little. The donation came from proceeds from the annual Angels Above Golf Tournament that the family hosts. Pictured from left are Sr. Brenda Monahan, D.C. (Principal), Mary-Lou Little, Tony Little, and Jane Moore.

Car Cruise Fundraiser in Memory of Jacob Loudon

Catoctin High School students, Mikey Clise and Rob Reaver, will hold a Fundraising Car Cruise in memory of senior, Jacob Loudon, who recently passed. Cruisers should meet at Catoctin High School at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2015. The cruise will begin at noon, and travel towards Frederick.

Memorial decals will be sold for $7.00 each, and there will be a donation box. Proceeds go to the Loudon Family. Please call Rob Reaver at 717-398-6276 with any questions or text 240-397-3806.

Who Will Be 2015 Teacher of the Year?

Do you know a teacher who goes beyond what is expected? Is there a teacher who has made an impact on your life or your child’s life? It’s time to recognize these special teachers by nominating them for the Thurmont Lions Club Teacher of the Year Award. Anyone, including parents, students, and fellow teachers may nominate a teacher.

This award is open to full-time teachers, pre-K through grade 12, in the Catoctin feeder school system: Catoctin High, Thurmont Middle, Thurmont Primary and Elementary, Sabillasville Elementary, Lewistown Elementary, Emmitsburg Elementary, and Mother Seton School.

One finalist from each of the eight schools will be announced during a reception in April. The Teacher of the Year will be selected from these finalists by a committee of community leaders, and will be announced at the Thurmont Lions Club’s Education Night on May 13, 2015. Nomination forms are available at www.thurmontlionsclub.com and at the Thurmont Regional Library.  Nominations are due by Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at 5:00 p.m.