2009-04-21
Ebony Love Cross, Reading Specialist at Valley View Elementary School, was named the 2009-2010 Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made during the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Teacher of the Year Reception at the Newton White Mansion in Mitchellville, Maryland.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize our outstanding nominees for the Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year,” said Board Chair Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq. “These teachers epitomize excellence in instruction, and go above and beyond the call of duty each day to ensure that all students succeed.”
Cross is a special candidate for the award, having spent her life in Prince George’s County and graduating from Suitland High School. While at Suitland, she was inspired by several outstanding teachers whom she credits for instilling a passion in her for reaching out to others.
She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from South Carolina State University and a Master of Science in Education from Western Maryland College. Wanting to “give back” to those who inspired her, Cross has spent all of her teaching career in Prince George’s County public schools, teaching prekindergarten, first, third, and fourth grades at Glassmanor Elementary before moving to Valley View Elementary as a Reading Specialist in 2004.
Her peers at Valley View Elementary School nominated Cross for the Teacher of the Year Award for her inspirational passion for teaching, love of children, and support of her colleagues. She is a member of the school’s Leadership Team, coordinates the Student Government Association, serves on several school committees, and has been nominated by her peers as Teacher of the Month on multiple occasions.
“All 20 of our nominees are ‘Teachers of the Year’ to their students,” said Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. William R. Hite, Jr. “Each day, their dedication and professionalism makes a difference in their students’ lives. Having such talented teachers in our classrooms is key to our success in raising academic achievement, and I am very proud of their accomplishments.”
With her outstanding communication and organization skills, Cross supports fellow teachers by mentoring, assisting with lesson planning, and facilitating professional development opportunities. She also offers after-school “make and take” sessions for staff to develop instructional centers and other educational resources.
“I have encountered and worked closely with teachers across a very broad spectrum of expertise and work ethics, and I can honestly state that I have not encountered anyone of such high caliber as Ebony Cross,” said principal JoAnn Spruell. “In any professional environment, she stands out as the epitome of a professional, a team player, an adopted mentor by all, and most importantly, one whose passion for teaching and love of children is contagious.”
Outside of the school system, Cross is a dedicated public servant. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serving as the chairperson for the Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) mentoring program, which was recognized as the 2006 National Exemplary Program. In 2004, she was recognized by WBDC 50 as an “Unsung Hero” for contributions to youth through her creation of an after-school program designed to strengthen reading and math skills for students in Grades 3 through 6. Cross currently serves as a co-chair for the group’s 2009 Jabberwock Cotillion, which exposes high school juniors and seniors to cultural, educational, and social opportunities.
Cross will go on to compete with representatives from all 24 counties for the title of 2009-2010 Maryland Teacher of the Year, a competition coordinated by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). A committee of her peers will determine the finalists over the next several months, and the winner of the Maryland Teacher of the Year will be announced during a ceremony in the fall. The winner will represent Maryland in the national competition.
The following 19 Prince George’s County Public Schools teachers were also nominated by their peers for Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year, with seven, besides Cross, being selected as semi-finalists (indicated by names in bold):
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TuMisha Alao, Grades 11-12 English Teacher, Fairmont Heights HS
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Mary Beth Bauernschub, Media Specialist, Rockledge ES
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Jessica Beamon, Grade 3 Teacher, Rockledge ES
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Robin Coley-Cobb, Grade 1 Teacher, John Carroll ES
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Sharon Dudley, Kindergarten Teacher, Rogers Heights ES
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Douglas Gaither, Academic Resource Teacher, John Carroll ES
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Dorette Gamble-Bennett, Grade 1 Teacher, Magnolia ES
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Dianne Givens, Grade 5 Teacher, William W. Hall ES
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Fran Green, Grades 9-12 English Teacher, Suitland HS
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Paul Hatton, Band Director, Thomas G. Pullen K-8 Creative and Performing Arts School
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Bridgette Johnson, Grade 5 Teacher, Magnolia ES
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Joan Lewis, Special Education Teacher, Riverdale ES
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Cindy McCormick, Grade 3 Teacher, Magnolia ES
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Delia McKenzie, Grade 4 Teacher, Woodridge ES
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Susan McKinley, Prekindergarten Teacher, Mount Rainier ES
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Nancy Meyers, Kindergarten Teacher, Carole Highlands ES
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Keith Miles, Jr., Grade 9-12 Biology Teacher, Oxon Hill HS
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Fran Regis, Grade 5 Teacher, Deerfield Run ES
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Anna Marie Tomassoni, Language Arts Teacher, John Hanson Montessori School
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