2008-10-03
Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) AP Government teacher, William Thomas, was named the 2009 Maryland Teacher of the Year. Thomas currently teaches at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School. The surprise announcement was made at the culminating event of the Maryland Teacher of the Year, the 18th Annual Awards Gala hosted by the Maryland State Department of Education at Martin’s West in Baltimore.
“Mr. Thomas exemplifies the high caliber of teachers we have here in Prince George’s County. We are extremely proud of him and hope to see even more teachers nominated next year from our County public schools,” said Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., Chair, Prince George’s County Board of Education. “It is evident that Mr. Thomas has demonstrated unwavering enthusiasm for teaching and determination to improve the achievements of all students, which is in line with the Board of Education’s Core Beliefs and Commitments, and the Pay for Performance model. His and other teachers’ expertise has afforded equitable opportunities for all students to graduate college or work ready.”
During his career in Prince George’s County Public Schools, Thomas has been recognized several times for his exceptional teaching. In addition to being selected as the Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year last April, he received the Prince George’s County Outstanding Teacher Award and the Myrtle Fentress Outstanding Educator Award in 2005; the Sallie Mae First Year Teacher Award in 1999; and the Spellman Achievement Award for 1994-1997.
Prior to his current assignment at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, he spent four years at Kettering Middle School as an eighth-grade U.S. History teacher, and then moved to Ernest Everett Just Middle School for another four years before joining the staff at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School.
In addition to his role as an AP Government teacher, Thomas teaches 10th grade Local, State, and National (LSN) Government, is the Mock Trial Team Coach, and is the sponsor of the Stock Market Club. He has worked during summers and
evenings to assist with curriculum writing for the PGCPS Social Studies office and he has been a presenter at new teacher orientations and workshops.
A lifelong learner eager for a new challenge, Thomas is currently pursuing National Board Certification, a challenging two-year process that will allow him to achieve the highest level of certification available to teachers. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from the State University of New York at Albany and a Master of Arts in Reading Education from Bowie State University,
Outside of the classroom, Thomas is involved in the “Brother to Brother, Sister to Sister” Cycling Club, which raises money for AIDS awareness and research. He is the founding member of the Tete-á-Tete Book Club, which he established in 2004. He served as head musician for his college gospel choir and his church in Albany, and enjoys sharing his love of music with students.
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