Stagg has spent her eight-year career serving students in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), starting as a classroom teacher at Forest Heights Elementary School in August 2004. She transferred to Valley View in 2009, where she continues to serve students in the Oxon Hill community as a special education resource teacher and Talented and Gifted general education teacher.
“Not only do outstanding teachers touch the lives of students and their families, they inspire their colleagues through mentoring, skill-sharing and enthusiasm for education,” said Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent of Schools. “Having such talented teachers in our classrooms is key to our success in raising academic achievement. One of our primary goals as a school district is to ensure that all teachers have the tools and resources they need to be effective educators.”
“Mrs. Stagg is an exemplary teacher who will make a lasting impression on the students and the field of education,” said Jo Ann Spruell, principal of Valley View. “She has the perseverance, initiative and intellectual stimulus necessary to prepare students as global learners and future leaders.”
Cool Spring Elementary sixth-grade teacher Tamala Stuckey was a runner-up for the award; Barack Obama Elementary fifth-grade teacher Kantravet Davis and Annapolis Road Academy English teacher Madolyn Johns were finalists.
“I am honored to have this opportunity to celebrate all of the outstanding nominees for Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year,” said Board Chair Verjeana M. Jacobs. “These individuals possess all of the qualities that define Teacher of the Year: knowledge of subject matter, dedication to students, awareness of the issues facing educators today and a certain ‘star quality’ that sets them apart from the crowd.”
Stagg was nominated by her peers at Valley View not only for her professional skills, but for her dedication, love of children and support of colleagues. Comments included:
- “Ms. Stagg has an amazing rapport with people of all ages, especially children.”
- “Ms. Stagg goes above and beyond to help not only the students, but the parents.”
- “Ms. Stagg has an exceptional blending of professional and personal qualities.”
Stagg takes on additional service roles at her school as co-chair of the Special Education Department, member of the School Based Management and Leadership Team, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS)/Cooperative Culture coach, Destination ImagiNation team coach, and member of Black History Month and American Education Week committees.
Stagg has been frequently recognized for her dedication and outstanding work. In 2011, she received the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) After-School Tutor Award, the Dr. Jean Phillips Psychological Services Award and Teacher of the Month Award. In 2012, she was nominated again for Teacher of the Month.
Outside of her school community, Stagg is an active member of the Rho Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in Washington, D.C., serving on the scholarship committee, debutante committee and DC Pearls III Foundation Board of Directors. She also serves as youth ministry coordinator and lay speaker at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
Stagg trained in Maryland for her teaching career, receiving a bachelor’s degree in English and elementary education certification from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She earned a master’s degree in special education from Bowie State University.
She will compete statewide with representatives from all 24 counties for the title of 2012-2013 Maryland Teacher of the Year, coordinated by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The winner will be announced in the fall and represent Maryland in the national competition.
Three high school students were also honored Wednesday for their winning entries in the Teacher of the Year essay contest. David Calhoun, first place winner for Grade 11, shared his “Most Inspirational” essay during the event. Eleanor Roosevelt High School student Deonna Young was the first place winner for Grade 10 and Largo High School student Samuel Wright won first place for Grade 12.
The following educators were also nominated for Teacher of the Year:
AbdulMalik AbdulSabur, Technology Education Teacher, Largo HS
TuMisha Alao, English Teacher, Gwynn Park HS
Jazz Mapola Avila, Prekindergarten Teacher, Valley View Elementary
Sarah Barias, Special Education Teacher, Panorama Elementary
Aurora Bartolo-Mendoza, Mathematics Teacher, Surrattsville HS
Allison Beers, English Teacher, Eleanor Roosevelt HS
Peggy Chase, Kindergarten Teacher, Panorama Elementary
Sennieal Crutchfield, Second-Grade Teacher, Ardmore Elementary
Carolyn Davis, Montessori Teacher, Judith P. Hoyer Montessori
Marcus Davis, Music Teacher, Surrattsville HS
Maria Guerreo, Special Education Teacher, Woodridge Elementary
Rebecca Gray, Second-Grade Teacher, Gaywood Elementary
Annett Jones, Fifth-Grade Teacher, Perrywood Elementary
Cama-Kalee Jones, Reading Resource Teacher, Bladensburg Elementary
Sherri Jones, Montessori Teacher, Judith P. Hoyer Montessori
Jean Lowd, First-Grade Teacher, Rockledge Elementary
Ronald Miller Jr., TAG Reading Teacher, Walker Mill MS
Linda Mitchell, Special Education Teacher, H. Winship Wheatley Special Center
Carolyn Moyé, Second-Grade Teacher, Panorama Elementary
Erin Nauman, Kindergarten Teacher, Imagine Andrews Public Charter School
Denise Smith, First-Grade Teacher, Thomas G. Pullen Academy
Nichole Young, English Teacher, Largo HS
To view a photo gallery of the event, click here.