Parkdale HS Educator Named 2018 Christa McAuliffe Outstanding Teacher

News Release: Parkdale HS Educator Named 2018 Christa McAuliffe Outstanding Teacher
News Release: Parkdale HS Educator Named 2018 Christa McAuliffe Outstanding Teacher
May 21, 2018
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Parkdale High School technology teacher Karen Bogoski is the recipient of the 2018 Christa McAuliffe Outstanding Teacher Award from Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS).

Bogoski, a 17-year veteran teacher and Technology Department Chair, was selected for the award by her peers. She has worked at Parkdale for the past 12 years and created Parkdale’s robotics team. She recently presented her students with the real-world challenge of building a 3D-printed arm for a classmate born with an undeveloped left arm.

“Ms. Bogoski’s dedication to lifelong learning helps to prepare for college and careers,” said Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer. "This is especially critical in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math."

In nominating her for the award, school staff highlighted not only Bogoski’s effectiveness as an educator, but also her passion, leadership, creativity and dedication to students.

“One of her most striking qualities is her passion and commitment to student achievement,” said Parkdale principal Dr. Tasha Graves Henderson. “She is pedagogically strong, meticulous in her planning and strategic in her delivery, and engenders respect, support and admiration from everyone she interacts with.”

Bogoski will be honored at the annual Employee Recognition Dinner on June 15 at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt. In addition, her name will be added to the Christa McAuliffe award plaque at the Sasscer Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.

The Christa McAuliffe Award honors an outstanding educator based on competitive standards of excellence established by other teachers. The award is a tribute to McAuliffe, the Teacher-In-Space who lost her life aboard the space shuttle Challenger in January 1986. McAuliffe taught in Prince George’s County from 1971 to 1978.

In addition to Bogoski, the following teachers were nominated for this year’s award:

Carolyn Goode, Buck Lodge Middle School

Megan Dodson, Martin L. King Jr. Middle School

Amy Dunham, Calverton Elementary

Lauren Geatz, Calverton Elementary

Danica Justsen, Chesapeake Math & IT High School - North

Ian Smith-Overman, International High School @Langley Park

Seth Tucker, Deerfield Run Elementary

Carlene Wells, Calverton Elementary

Andrea Worthington-Garcia, International High School @Langley Park

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Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS), one of the nation's 20th largest school districts, has 201 schools and centers, more than 133,000 students and nearly 20,000 employees. The school system serves a diverse student population from urban, suburban and rural communities located in the Washington, DC suburbs. PGCPS is nationally recognized for college and career-readiness programs that provide students with unique learning opportunities, including dual enrollment and language immersion.