PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Zina McGowan-Thomas, Public Information Officer, 301-475-5511, ext. 193

GITTENS SELECTED AS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

LEONARDTOWN , MD – St. Mary’s County Public Schools announces the selection of Ms. Therese Gittens, a second grade teacher at Lexington Park Elementary School , as its 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year.

“We are extremely proud of Therese’s accomplishments and are thrilled to have her represent St. Mary’s County Public Schools as our Teacher of the Year,” said Dr. Michael J. Martirano , superintendent of schools. “With her professional knowledge and her natural ability to teach, she will represent our school system well.”

Ms. Gittens joined St. Mary’s County Public Schools in 2003 in the position she currently holds.  Prior to that, she served as an elementary classroom teacher in the Sacramento (CA) City Unified School District , Charles County Public School System, and Prince George ’s County Public School System.  Since joining the Lexington Park staff, Ms. Gittens has also served as a member of the Superintendent’s Blue Ribbon Task Force for Eliminating the Achievement Gap, served as a mentor teacher, and served as the primary grade level chairperson.

“Ms. Gittens is driven by results, but has a rare ability to also focus on the development of the whole child,” wrote Lexington Park Instructional Resource Teacher Erin Johnson, in her letter of support.  “Often, these two areas of strength aren’t found in one person.”

Ms. Gittens will represent St. Mary’s County Public Schools as a candidate for Maryland Teacher of the Year.  This award will be announced at a banquet held in Baltimore on October 2, 2009.  All county Teacher of the Year representatives will be honored at the State Board of Education meeting and luncheon held May 28, 2009, at the Maryland State Department of Education in Baltimore .

The Maryland Teacher of the Year will be presented with several prizes, will speak at numerous conferences and events, and will act as an advisor to the Maryland State Department of Education.  The Maryland Teacher of the Year is also a candidate for National Teacher of the Year.