Educators honored at Chamber of Commerce Awards for Excellence ceremony

TOWSON, MD. – The Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce honored 60 Baltimore County Public Schools teachers and presented 11 educators with awards during its May 13 Awards for Excellence in Education ceremony and dinner at Martin’s West. Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance presented the event’s keynote address and congratulated the nominees, who were welcomed by Chamber of Commerce President Keith Scott. The winners, in area and level categories, were chosen from educators across Baltimore County who were nominated by students, principals, colleagues, parents, and community members. The nominees represented 37 BCPS schools. The five geographical area winners were:

• Southwest – Carrie Hill (Catonsville Middle School)
• Northwest – Fiona Coulter (Winand Elementary School)
• Central – Michele Lansinger (West Towson Elementary School)
• Northeast – Mary Ellen Pluemer (Pine Grove Middle School)
• Southeast – Rachel Jennings (General John Stricker Middle School)

The five grade and special areas level winners were:

• Elementary school – Terri Mohr (West Towson Elementary School)
• Middle school – Mike Maiste (Pine Grove Middle School)
• High school – Bethany Elliott (Eastern Technical High School)
• Special education – Sara Prymas (Westowne Elementary School)
• Special area – Linda DeCarlo (Franklin Elementary School)

In addition, one educator was named the recipient of an award from the Berenbach Education Incentives Fund, which was launched in 2004 and recognizes instructors serving in selected Baltimore County schools. The winner of this year’s Berenbach Award was Amy Wesloski of Golden Ring Middle School. Organized by area business leaders, the annual awards program was sponsored this year by Kaiser Permanente, Susquehanna Bank, The Community College of Baltimore County, M&T Bank, Southwest Airlines, Comcast, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.