Baltimore County Public School honorees included Darnell Peaker, Susan Truesdell, Cheryl Brooks, Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Jodi Grosser, Randy Quinn, and (not shown)Crystal Collins.

More than an event, the Annual Fullwood Benefit and Recognition Breakfast unites the greater Baltimore community in celebrating the legacy of one man – the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – and fulfilling the vision of another man – Harlow Fullwood, Jr. An All-American college football player recruited by the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Colts, Fullwood succeeded again as a nationally-recognized Baltimore Police Department recruiter and then as a “top-sales” award-winning KFC franchise owner before turning his attention to philanthropy.

Through the breakfast, created and coordinated by The Fullwood Foundation, funds are raised to support scholarships and services for local students. Over the years more than $6 million has been raised through the event. The event is also an opportunity for Fullwood to honor educators and other civic leaders.

At the breakfast, Dr. Hairston receives from the Fullwoods his Public School Superintendent of the Year Award.

At the 18th Annual Fullwood Benefit and Recognition Breakfast, The Fullwood Foundation honored the achievements of Baltimore County Public Schools by presenting six Baltimore County teachers with Golden Apple Awards and honoring Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston as Public School Superintendent of the Year.

Held on Saturday, January 14, at Martin’s West in Woodlawn, the Fullwood Breakfast attracted more than 2,000 guests. After marching into the large ballroom, all wearing black, white, and red and sporting gold medallions, the honorees were seated at special tables and presented with certificates and trophies.

Dr. Hairston proudly wears his medallion as the Fullwood Foundation’s Public School Superintendent of the Year.

The honored Baltimore County educators included: Crystal Collins of Essex Elementary School; Susan Truesdell of Reisterstown Elementary School; Cheryl Brooks, formerly of Chase Elementary School, now a specialist in the Office of Equity and Assurance; Randy Quinn, formerly of Pleasant Plains Elementary School, now an assistant principal at Oakleigh Elementary School; Darnell Peaker of Hebbville Elementary School; and Jodi L. Grosser-González of New Town High School. Grosser-González is Baltimore County’s Teacher of the Year for 2005-2006.

“Harlow Fullwood credits much of his success in life to teachers and others who have nurtured him,” said Dr. Hairston. “By placing honors for educators at the center of this annual event, he raises the profile of public education and reminds the entire community of the enduring benefits of investing in youth.

Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston sits at head table with A. Recardo Perry, Vice President of Student Affairs, Morgan State University.

“The teachers honored by the Fullwood Foundation,” Dr. Hairston continued, “exemplify the quality of teaching and dedication to students found throughout Baltimore County Public Schools. They were selected for their effectiveness in the classroom but also for the other invaluable contributions they make to our school communities. In addition, these are some of the teachers who serve as formal and informal mentors to other school staff.”

School administrators offered the following examples of the teachers’ achievements:

• Crystal Collins frequently makes presentations to faculty and staff throughout the county about “honest grading” and about successful inclusion practices. To enrich her school community, Ms. Collins has led after-school drama and scrap-booking programs.
• Susan Truesdell created the Families Helping Families program at Reisterstown, an after-school program in which English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) families support each other. She also spearheaded the Poetry Alive 2005 contest at Reisterstown Elementary, and one of her students won the countywide contest.
• Cheryl Brooks developed and implemented a leadership program for fifth grade students. Through this program, she matched struggling learners and students with behavior problems with peer role models. She also hosted Learning Lunches, during which she met with students to provide reinforcement of skills and concepts, and served as advisor to the school’s Student Government Association
• Randy Quinn voluntarily taught a cross-grade math enrichment class. He was able to track the success of his after-school students to show their significant increase in math achievement and math confidence. Several of his
  after-school math enrichment students gained entry into Gifted and Talented math programs.
• Darnell Peaker developed a sophisticated MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Program for Hebbville Elementary. Under her leadership, Hebbville students have been recognized as the Maryland State MESA Day Champions for seven of the eight years that the school has participated. Along with the after-school MESA program and a before-school tutoring program, Peaker helped to organize Hebbville’s annual
  Math/Science Fair and coordinates the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. community-wide program.
• Jodi L. Grosser-González is known throughout and far beyond the county for her innovations. Her language program is rich in technology, references current events, and reflects current best practices. Teachers come from other districts to see how she is using new white board technology along with the language lab to implement curriculum. She recently presented her techniques at a statewide education technology conference.

Story by Diana L. Spencer, communications officer. All photos by the Office of Equity and Assurance, with the exception of the group photo on this page, which was taken by Leslie Dunn, assistant principal, Reisterstown Elementary School.