Grit and determination are often honored, but some of those who received The Washington Post's Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Awards last night appeared to exemplify an extra measure of both.
Many of the 20 teachers -- one from each of the Washington region's public school systems, and one representing private schools -- were described as people who refused to quit on their students, many of whom had come to them with physical or mental disabilities or little self-esteem, or low achievement records.
For example, a former student of Ronald W. Richards, of Broad Run High School in Loudoun County, wrote that in his first two years in high school, he "felt no good in anything."
But in Richards's debate club, the student "found something he could do" and began to excel.
Beth A. Strakonsky, of Frederick High School in Frederick County, was characterized as an instructor who "saw the potential in me when I did not."
Many such accounts of students' transformations through the teachers' efforts and inspiration were excerpted from nominations and read aloud at the ceremony, held at The Post's downtown offices. The award winners are selected by their own systems on the basis of nominations made by principals, fellow teachers and current and former students.
Bernadette Sharp Melvin, it was reported, both wrote and lives the motto of Carmody Hills Elementary School in Prince George's County: "Dream it, believe it, achieve it."
And at least two winners taught while being treated for cancer.
One was George E. Juliano, an art teacher at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County. Juliano was selected at random to represent the 20 winners and speak at the end of the program.
Four years ago, he said, a doctor told him that he had cancer and had six months to live. As he went through treatment -- with a new doctor -- he shared with his classes what was happening.
With him, he said, the students "went through the baldness, the yellow skin." He said all his students, "you name the faith," prayed for him.
One former student wrote that Juliano "taught me more about art and life than I ever imagined."
In his talk last night, Juliano thanked his family and, on behalf of his fellow honorees, thanked The Post for the award, which consists of a crystal apple and a check for $3,000. Ever the teacher, he also offered this lesson.
"You should never give up hope," he said.
The other winner who had kept her students up to date on her bout with cancer was June A. Chalou, of the Falls Church City school system. She was described as a woman with a great "zest for life," whose laugh is unmistakable at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, where she teaches fourth grade.
Aside from her courage, she is known, according to nominations, for attentiveness to students' needs.
A student who had difficulty answering when called on related in a letter of nomination how Chalou would gently tell her that "we'll come back to you." The important thing, the student said, was that she did.
Other winners and their schools and systems:
Cynthia Alley, Malcolm Elementary, Charles County; Douglas C. Armstrong, Brooke Point, Stafford County; Cynthia D. Baird, Brentsville District High, Prince William County; Tyrone E. Baltimore, Fauquier County High; Gloria G. Bryan, Dent Elementary, St. Mary's County; Melanie Buckley, Manassas Park High; Elisabeth A. Casey, George Mason Elementary, Alexandria; Dorothy J. Harris, Quince Orchard High, Montgomery County; Jenny A. Herre, Alexandria Country Day, private schools; Robin Liten-Tejada, Gunston Middle, Arlington County; Nancy Marsteller Attiliis, Round Elementary, Manassas City; Mary Jo Messenger, River Hill High, Howard County; Leslie L. Moore, Appeal Elementary, Calvert County; Susan E. Murray, Quarterfield Elementary, Anne Arundel County; and Barry G. Sprague, Park View Elementary, District of Columbia.
