Category: School Notebook

Chesapeake High Student Named 2019 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalists


Chesapeake High student Heather Howard received a prestigious honor given to 1,896 students nationally out of 95,000 applicants.
Heather Howard of Chesapeake High School was one of two Baltimore County Public School students and among the 1,896 students just named 2019 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalists. Mofeed Najib of Towson High School was also named a semifinalists.

Howard is a member of both the National Honor Society and National Math Honor Society at Chesapeake High in Essex. For the past two years, she has been a peer mentor and peer tutor for other students. She has been a member of the girls varsity volleyball team for four years and cheerleading team for one year. Outside of school, Howard maintains two part-time retail jobs and has done extensive volunteer work at Baltimore Animal Rescue Center, Pets on Wheels, Days End Farm Horse Rescue and Maryland Food Bank.

Chesapeake High school counselor Jillian Ganley describes Howard as “pretty amazing.”

Howard and the other semifinalists were selected – based on their leadership, academics and service – from among the more than 95,000 students who applied from across the nation. Forty Maryland students were named semifinalists. In January, 250 of the semifinalists will be named regional finalists, and 150 of those will ultimately receive $20,000 per year college scholarships.

Eastern Tech Teacher Awarded TEEAM Honor


Angela Waldrop is an engineering teacher at Eastern Technical High School. -Photo Courtesy of BCPS –

The Technology & Engineering Educators Association of Maryland (TEEAM) has selected Angela Waldrop, an engineering teacher at Eastern Technical High School, as the High School TEEAM Teacher Excellence Award winner for Maryland.

To receive this award, a teacher must have an extensive background in technology and engineering education and must pursue meaningful ongoing professional development opportunities. Creative and innovative use of resources and meeting the needs of a diverse student population are also crucial factors considered.

Waldrop, who has taught for Baltimore County Public Schools for 13 years, said, “The main goals of technology and engineering education are to prepare students to recognize and use various sources of technology, including cutting-edge tools and devices … to prepare them to be competitive, global citizens.”

Waldrop emphasizes that her global approach to teaching technology and engineering education is focused on the ‘Design Thinking’ process, in which students are taught to investigate and innovate based on the needs of a particular person or group of people. She added, “This branch of education should prepare students to have a positive attitude when problems arise so they may seek out tools and systems to solve such problems.”

Waldrop, who, in addition to teaching at Eastern Tech is also the coordinator of the school’s MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) Club, will be recognized at the TEEAM Teacher Excellence Awards dinner in February 2019 at The Engineers Club in Baltimore. She also will be considered for a state/national award at the ITEEA 2019 Conference to be held in Kansas City, Missouri.

Gunpowder Elementary teacher named among Towson University’s Twenty Tigers in their Twenties


Brianna Sosnowski, a special educator at Gunpowder Elementary School, is among the Twenty Tigers in their Twenties recently honored by the Towson University Alumni Association.

The program is designed to honor Towson University alumni, between the ages of 20 and 32, whose achievements have significantly enhanced their professions, communities, and/or Towson University.

Sosnowski graduated from Towson University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education. She immediately joined Baltimore County Public Schools as a special education teacher.

“At Gunpowder Elementary, Brianna is well known for her advocacy for students,” said Principal Wendy Cunningham. “She is deeply involved in the life of the school and serves as the co-chair of the Volunteer Tea, co-adviser to the Student Council, co-chair of the Social Committee, and a leading force behind the Virtue Project initiative.”

While working for BCPS, Sosnowski has earned a master’s degree in leadership in special education from Notre Dame University of Maryland and has earned certification to teach students with dyslexia.

Since 2015, she has volunteered as the special needs coordinator of Angel Park, a community-built playground in Perry Hall. In this role, she helped design the accessible parts of the playground and has organized special needs groups and events. She continues to volunteer her time as a park board member who assists with park events and fundraisers.

In addition, Sosnowski teaches children ages 3 to 11 at The Moving Company Dance Center, and is the head coach of the nationally-ranked dance team at The Catholic High School of Baltimore.