Maryland ASCD 2009 Award Winners
Congratulations to our winners!!
Marc Cohen, principal of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School (MLK) in Germantown, Md., received the ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Awards
Almost three years ago, when Cohen became principal, MLK’s student performance ranked near the bottom, student misbehavior was common, and achievement gaps were a reality. Cohen has helped to dramatically change the school’s climate and the community’s expectations. Student suspensions have been reduced by 73 percent and the school has now made "adequate yearly progress" under the No Child Left Behind Act for all grades and subject areas. In addition, the number of students taking algebra has more than doubled. Cohen, who came to MLK with the goal to eliminate the racial predictability of student achievement in one year, says, "I believe every student is capable of achieving at very high levels, if only we find a way to provide them with the necessary tools." ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter recognized Cohen and Damani as outstanding representatives of their profession. "Both Bijal and Marc have demonstrated tremendous commitment to their students and have worked diligently to ensure each and every one of their students receives individualized support," said Carter.
Maryland ASCD would like to congratulate our 2009 award winners for the Judith Rushkin Research Award and the Excellence Awards.
Portia Pusey received the 2009 Judith Ruchkin Research Award at the 2009 Spring Forum for her pilot study, “Internet Safety and Ethics: Are Preservice Teachers Prepared to Keep Their Students Safe?” Her research in this area is both timely and necessary as students are becoming more socially involved online. Ms. Pusey’s pilot study explored the perceptions of high school students regarding internet safety. Over the years, Ruchkin award winning studies have demonstrated the highest levels of scholarship in educational curriculum, leadership, and policy making.
Dr. Jeffery Kenton (co-advisor), Portia Pusey, and Dr. Gabriele Meiselwitz (co-advisor).
The Towson University College of Education’s Teachers for Tomorrow Program received the Maryland ASCD 2009 Award for Program Excellence in recognition of the remarkable impact of the program’s success. The description of the systematic growth of this unique program to recruit and retain high quality teachers for the Baltimore City Public School System provided evidence of the positive effect of this initiative. The retention data assured us that this initiative should continue to improve teaching and learning in the Baltimore City schools on into the future by nurturing a strongly dedicated cohort of teachers, teacher leaders and administrators to lead positive change.
Dr. Elizabeth Molina Morgan, Superintendent of Washington County Public Schools received the Maryland ASCD 2009 Award for Individual Excellence in recognition of the impact of her leadership during her tenure as superintendent of Washington County Public Schools. Dr. Morgan initiated important changes that permeate the school system in support of student learning. The impact data shared with the committee provided compelling evidence of the very positive effects of her leadership of the school system.