Erin Burrell, a kindergarten teacher at Ashburton Elementary School, has won the 2021 Velma Clark Excellence in Teaching About Ag Award from the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. This award honors a Maryland teacher that exemplifies dedication in engaging students in agricultural education experiences in non-agricultural curricula.
In the spring of 2021, Burrell established and launched a six-week Virtual Green Thumb Program for 40 K-5 students. That summer, she created and taught a science and gardening course. She founded the Green Thumb after-school club for students grades 3-5 and has managed the school’s courtyard garden year-round since 2017. Currently, Burrell coordinates the Ashburton Garden Mentor Program with seven local high school students, who earn Student Service Learning hours. For the last two years, Burrell’s kindergarten class has participated in the local RentaCoop program, which highlighted embryology and chicken care in the classroom. Burrell has also trained staff on how to get students to engage with the garden in meaningful ways.
Burrell received a $500 classroom stipend and a trip to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. this summer. She will be nominated for the 2023 National Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award, sponsored by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the National Agriculture in the Classroom.
Clarksburg Senior to Sing National Anthem at Dedication Ceremony
Jeanne Lubika, a senior at Clarksburg High School, will be performing the national anthem at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, as part of a stamp dedication ceremony, commemorating the Title IX Forever stamp. The event is being hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Postal Service. You can watch the livestream here.
Staff at Briggs Chaney Relaxes with Wellness Afternoon
Jackson, a therapy dog, visits with a Briggs Chaney staff member.
Staff at Briggs Chaney enjoy an afternoon yoga class.
For the second time this school year, staff at Briggs Chaney Middle School were recently treated to a wellness afternoon. School counselors and the well-being team put together a fun afternoon, which included yoga, Zumba, art therapy, a walk around the community and visits with Jackson, a therapy dog.
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