Smart's Mill Science Teacher Wins Award

By LoudounExtra.com staff

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Patricia Herr, an eighth-grade science teacher at Smart's Mill Middle School, received the Agnes Meyer Award at Tuesday's school board meeting in Ashburn.

Herr was one of 12 teachers nominated for the award, which is sponsored by The Washington Post. She had previously been nominated in 1996 and 1999.

Laura Clairmont, a special education teacher at Newton-Lee Elementary School, and Nancy Tittelbaugh-Riley, a choral music teacher at Heritage High School, were finalists.

Herr's teaching career began in 1989 at Ashburn Elementary School. Before transferring to Smart's Mill, she taught at Ball's Bluff Elementary School from 1994 to 2004.

She will receive a $3,000 award and will be honored at a ceremony at The Post this spring, along with winning teachers from other Washington-area schools.

Smart's Mill Middle School Principal Eric Chandler received the 2007 Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award for Loudoun County, an honor that is paired with the school system’s Principal of the Year award.

Herr holds a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg University, a master’s of education degree from Marymount University, a certificate in technology education from George Mason University and National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist. She also has worked as an adjunct professor at George Mason University since 2003.

Other nominees were Nicole Bartow, AP psychology and AB government, Park View High School; Linda Cousins-Seymour, fourth-grade teacher, Hamilton Elementary School; Robert Hanger, biology, Loudoun County High School; Lois Diann Morales, first-grade teacher, Seldens Landing Elementary School; Kathy Thomas, second-grade teacher, Algonkian Elementary School; Mary Jo Totman, third-grade teacher, Tolbert Elementary School; Leigh Anne VanderWijst, fourth-grade teacher, Sycolin Creek Elementary School; Melanie Vangsnes, third-grade teacher, Waterford Elementary School; and Karen Weiss, first-grade teacher, Pinebrook Elementary School.

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?