Love of profession unites teacher of year candidates | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

Their jobs may be different, but they have one thing in common, their colleagues say - they're great at teaching.

"I love the kids," said Jane Robinson Ciupek, a finalist who works as a reading interventionist at Hillsmere Elementary School. "When you teach somebody to read, you get to share in the excitement of it. It's just a very rewarding thing to do."

The four candidates were picked from a pool of 37 county teachers, according to a news release from the school system. All 37 will be recognized at an April 24 ceremony at the BWI Marriott hotel in Linthicum. A private school teacher of the year also will be recognized at the ceremony.

The public school teacher of the year will represent Anne Arundel in the state's teacher of the year competition later this year, according to the news release.

November will mark Ms. Ciupek's 40th year teaching in the county. She is a patient role model who works hard to keep her skills up to date, said Karen Garczynski, a Hillsmere teacher who helped nominate Ms. Ciupek. The two even went to New Zealand a few years ago to observe a literacy program.

Maryalice Todd, principal at Southern High School, said she nominated gym teacher Kathie Davis because of her talent engaging students in learning.

"She's just an engaging educator that students love," Ms. Todd said. "She teaches them discipline and shows them great heart."

Ms. Davis was named high school physical educator of the year in October by the Maryland Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She tries to turn students onto lifelong fitness by doing different activities in her classes, like yoga and cardio-kickboxing.

"It's not just about basketball or team sports, it's all about them," Ms. Davis said. "We've got to make it fun and enjoyable and meaningful for them."

Clayton Culp, a math teacher at Broadneck High School, was nominated not only because he is an outstanding teacher, but because of the community service activities he does with students, said Lynn Blackman, acting principal at the school.

For three years, Mr. Culp has taken teams of students to do relief work on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, she said. He also helped students raise money for victims of the tsunami in southeast Asia.

At Meade High School, Principal Daryl Kennedy said he nominated his English department chair, Amy Weissenburger, because she's a leader who works constantly to better the school.

"She is a teacher leader here," Mr. Kennedy said. "When you think of Amy, you think of dedication."

Ms. Weissenburger, who currently teaches English and film production classes, said she loves helping her students find personal connections to books and stories. Teaching has been a good fit for her, she said.

"It's an honor just to be nominated," Ms. Weissenburger said. "I just hope to make Meade proud."