Today the Board of Education is pleased to honor an educator in our school system who devotes her seemingly unlimited energy to helping her students succeed in the classroom.  Kathy Plitt, Mathematics Teacher at Arundel Middle School, employs a classroom management style unlike any other.  Her enthusiasm and energy engages her students as soon as they walk in her classroom door, as she uses her “Teach Like a Champion” methods to get her students ready for learning.

Ms. Plitt scaffolds every lesson for her students, keeping in mind that they don’t all come with the background knowledge necessary to master 6^th grade math.  Every lesson is accompanied by fun songs, rhymes, hand gestures and phrases to help students remember formulas, definitions and other math concepts.  If a strategy does not work with a particular student Kathy reaches into her bag of tricks and finds a different method to try.  The time and effort she puts into her lessons shows in the success of her students.

If one were to view Kathy’s classroom in action, one would see that she and her students operate as a team learning together, instead of a teacher simply lecturing a class.  She is firm but caring and has gained the respect of all of her students as they work together.  Ms. Plitt draws upon her years of experience as a teacher and her natural aptitude as an educator to make not only her students successful, but also her colleagues and her school.  She is extremely organized and plans effectively with the Math team weekly.  Year after year, her students continue to be successful on the MSA.  She goes above and beyond for her students as it gives her great pleasure to see them learn.

Kathy Plitt is a wonderful mentor.  She has taken it upon herself to mentor student interns, first year teachers, and anyone new to Arundel Middle.  She has held leadership roles such as interdisciplinary team leader, School Improvement Team leader, PDS site coordinator, mentor teacher and served as a member of the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council.  Mrs. Plitt has also run the “24” club as the Math team coach for several years.

Kathy Plitt – you have been referred to by your colleagues as “by far the best teacher in the building.”  Your planning and organizational skills far surpass many others.  Your enthusiasm, high energy level, and true knowledge of your subject is what keeps your students engaged.  An excellent teacher transforms into excellent students who succeed in the classroom and ultimately succeed in life.  So for these reasons and more the Board of Education is honored to recognize you Educator of the Month for June 2013.  Congratulations to a true Champion!