Contact: Nicole Shaffer, (202) 368-3128
DC education officials made a surprise visit to the Howard University Public Charter Middle School of Mathematics and Science (MS2) Friday morning to notify the winner of the 2009 District of Columbia Teacher of the Year contest. Social Studies and Language Arts teacher Kimberly Worthy had just begun her morning classes when she was surprised by a visit from Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso, State Superintendent of Education Deborah A. Gist, State Board of Education President Robert C. Bobb, and State Board of Education Member Mary Lord.
Worthy and the school’s principal, Dr. Sue White, were aware that State Superintendent Gist was scheduled to visit the school as part of a series of visits to the three DC Teacher of the Year finalists–but it was a surprise to everyone at the school that Worthy had been selected as the winner. “We were genuinely delighted and surprised to learn that Kimberly Worthy was selected as the 2009 Teacher of the Year. Ms. Worthy is clearly a gifted teacher and was truly born to teach,” said Dr. White.
Reinoso, Gist, Bobb, and Lord arrived at the classroom with balloons and flowers in hand. Gist spoke to Worthy’s students about why their teacher was selected as DC Teacher of the Year and what it means to win this award.
“The DC Teacher of the Year award program recognizes classroom teachers who have demonstrated outstanding teaching and leadership. Ms. Worthy believes in her students, knowing that they can achieve when held to the highest standards. I’m pleased that such an outstanding, deserving teacher is receiving this honor,” said Gist.
Deputy Mayor Reinoso said, “Mayor Fenty and our education team recognize the dedication that Ms. Worthy and other great teachers across the city demonstrate every day. We’re all proud of Ms. Worthy’s accomplishments, and her hard work does not go unnoticed.”
Worthy was chosen as DC Teacher of the Year for her dedication to her students, commitment to the profession of teaching, and her capacity to serve as an ambassador and model for the teachers of the District of Columbia. She was selected by a panel of education leaders after an application process that included a written application and essays, an interview, and a classroom observation.
“Ms. Worthy's accomplishments as an outstanding educator are legendary. Her students are the beneficiaries of her resolve to make teaching and learning excellent,” said State Board President Bobb.
State Board Member Lord, who covers Ward 1 where the school is located, also commended the Teacher of the Year winner, saying, “Kim Worthy not only epitomizes excellence in teaching; she redefines what excellence means. She ignites her students' curiosity with field trips, culturally relevant lessons, and hands-on projects that connect classroom learning to the natural world.”
As the 2009 DC Teacher of the Year, Worthy will represent the District of Columbia in the National Teacher of the Year competition and program, in which she will participate in professional development opportunities with other state teachers of the year, including a trip to a Teacher of the Year Conference in Dallas, Texas, in January.
“I look forward to the coming year, serving as an advocate for progressive and quality education for all of the District’s students, who charge us with the honorable task of tapping into their genius and making it come alive in the academic arena,” said Worthy. “This award means a lot to me.”
At its monthly public meeting to be held December 17, the DC State Board of Education will honor Worthy and the two DC finalists, Marjorie McClure of Lafayette Elementary School and Kelly Schrepfer of the Maya Angelou Public Charter School’s Shaw Campus, and the three teachers will participate in a panel discussion on best teaching practices for education in the 21st century.