ROCK HALL — Kent County Public Schools Superintendent Mary McComas and members of her team visited schools March 12 with balloons and bouquets to recognize the district’s top teachers and staff members.
The day marked the announcement of the Teacher of the Year, Promising Educator, Support Employee of the Year and Student and Related Services Employee of the Year for each school.
Director of Human Resources Dan Hushion, who leads the annual awards program, joined McComas to announce the school winners and hand out their certificates.
Family members also were invited to join the festivities.
“This is always one of my favorite days of the year. It’s a special day for all the award winners and it highlights the amazing work that happens each day in our schools and is not always visible to everyone,” Hushion said in a statement.
“We are so proud of the staff and everything that they do for the students and greater community of Kent County Public Schools,” he added.
The Student and Related Services category is new to this year’s awards program. The honor recognizes school counselors, social workers, student support specialists, related services providers, school psychologists, lead teachers, teacher specialists, Individualized Education Program facilitators, Judy Center staff members, Community Schools coordinators, Title I team members and any other certificated position.
McComas offered her congratulations and best wishes to all of this year’s honorees.
“We are fortunate to have such talent in our school system in service to students. We are proud of the unique contributions made by each nominee and grateful for the difference they each make for students and colleagues,” she said in a news release.
The Teachers of the Year for each school are: Jillian Kinnamon of Galena Elementary School; Jessica Smith of H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown; Ashley Spencer of Rock Hall Elementary School; Chris Kliever of Kent County Middle School; and Kevin Nelson of Kent County High School.
The Promising Educator nominees are Phontaye Sorrell, Galena; Sarah Childers, Rock Hall; Theodosia Parker, KCMS; and Anna Lill, KCHS.
The Support Employees of the Year are: Chrissy Hanifee, Galena; Mary Johnston, Garnet; Henry Pelto, Rock Hall; Kristine Heinefield, KCMS; and Tilise Brown, KCHS.
Student and Related Services Employees of the Year are: Ashley Spittel, Galena; Maureen Ranville, Garnet; Christine Clark, KCMS; and Courtney Miller, KCHS.
The districtwide winners will be announced at Kent County Public Schools’ annual awards ceremony, which will be held in the Kent County High School auditorium at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 16.
Trish McGee, owner and publisher of The Evening Enterprise, is president of the Kent County Board of Education. She did not contribute to this report.
