Teachers received gifts from their students.

Even during a ceremony to honor them, even basking in the tribute of a visit from Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor and state Superintendent of Schools, Baltimore County’s teachers saved their emotion for the children.

At a special kickoff to the state’s Teacher Appreciation Week at Rodgers Forge Elementary School on Friday, May 2, it was a multimedia slide show that got tears flowing as frame after frame depicted the many ways children blossom and grow and learn under the guidance of teachers.

Then there were the musical tributes to teachers from students at both Rodgers Forge and nearby Dumbarton Middle School. And the gifts, most of them handmade, that groups of children bestowed upon their favorite teachers during a special luncheon in their honor.

In all, the kickoff was an event that teachers at Rodgers Forge won’t soon forget. “This is so special, so nice,” said fifth-grade teacher Jack Manion. “It really means a lot.”

It was Maryland Superintendent Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick who selected Rodgers Forge Elementary as the site for the state kickoff. A longtime friend of Principal Sue Deise, she said she knew the school would provide an appreciative tribute to teachers not only throughout Baltimore County but throughout Maryland. Dumbarton Middle Principal Dr. Marsha Baumeister and several of her teachers and students also joined the celebration.

Dr. Nancy Grasmick joins Rodgers Forge students and mascot in greeting visitors.

With a patriotic theme, the school welcomed Dr. Grasmick, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston, and Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele as they lauded educators. They were joined by Don Arnold, President of the Baltimore County Board of Education.

“Few other people touch so many lives in such a lasting way as teachers do,” said Dr. Grasmick. “As schools and communities across the country celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to pay special tribute to the teachers in Maryland’s public schools. They are doing an incredible job, and it is most appropriate for us to set aside this special week to express our sincere appreciation to them.”

Added Dr. Hairston, “We’re so proud of our teachers and the jobs they do every day for the boys and girls of Baltimore County. We’re especially pleased today that Dr. Grasmick and Lt. Gov. Steele chose Baltimore County to showcase the professional and dedicated service that our teachers perform.”

Dr. Joe Hairston addresses teachers and guests.

A highlight of the event was a multi-media presentation that was originally prepared for a Back-to-School night at Rodgers Forge. In it, students and teachers were photographed in a way that paralleled the lyrics of a song called “They Are Kids” by Allen Levi. Created by third-grade teacher Michele Rowland and Assistant Principal Cathy Santa Croce, the moving presentation got more than a few teachers and guests dabbing eyes and stifling stiffs as images of teachers teaching and children being children filled the darkened cafetorium.

During a festive luncheon following the kickoff, guests and teachers were presented with gifts and surprises by students as gestures of appreciation. Among the gifts to teachers were bookmarks, poetry and essays about favorite teachers and teaching, a memory quilt, a kindergarten “family tree” festooned with children’s handprints, and commemorative “postage stamps” depicting teachers presented on oversized envelopes.

Musical selections were presented by students from Dumbarton and Rodgers Forge led by teachers Rachel Wiseman from Dumbarton Middle and Jonathan Reed from Rodgers Forge.

Teacher Appreciation Week runs from Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9, 2003. A selection of photographs from Friday’s kickoff event may be viewed accompanying this article.

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By Charles Herndon Communications Officer