December 2020 - Monarch Academy Global Laurel
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Two Monarch Academy Teachers Nominated for AACPS Teacher of the Year

Two Monarch Academy Teachers Nominated for AACPS Teacher of the Year

Monarch Global Academy Laurel teacher Maria Cummings and Monarch Academy Glen Burnie teacher Sonja Bolotin are among 43 teachers nominated for Anne Arundel County’s Teacher of the Year. Monarch Global Academy Laurel and Monarch Academy Glen Burnie are charter or contract schools with Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Sonia Bolotin

Sonja Bolotin teaches second grade at Monarch Academy Glen Burnie.

“Mrs. Bolotin meets each child where they are, creates a safe crew where children thrive and brings students to success as they engage in meaningful work that makes a difference. She does this while contributing to a culture of personal growth for the adults at Monarch Academy to ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to our commitment to equity,” said Monarch Academy Glen Burnie Principal Kim Jakovics. “Walking into Mrs. Bolotin’s second grade class is a magical experience. There are few places where I would rather be.”

Through Bolotin’s leadership, second grade students partnered with an author and nonprofit organization to write and illustrate a book about bees. The book was translated into Amharic and then distributed to children in Ethiopia.

“Our students, with Mrs. Bolotin’s commitment and passion for relevant learning experiences that affect the local and global community, made that happen,” Jakovics said.

Bolotin also created a reading program called the Caterpillar Club to encourage her second grade students to be excited about reading as she worked to ensure that all read on grade level by the end of their second grade year. This program brought in community volunteers and partners each morning and made reading fun and exciting for children.

Maria Cummings

Maria ‘Conchi’ Cummings teaches world and classical language to middle school students at Monarch Global Academy Laurel.

“Sra. Cummings came to us with a wealth of experience in all things Spanish. In her time at Monarch Global Academy, Conchi, as she is called, has consistently demonstrated her effectiveness as a teacher through her strong example, tireless work ethic and high expectations. Conchi’s classroom radiates a warmth that embraces her Spanish heritage,” said Monarch Global Academy Principal Donna O’Shea. “She is a true leader and team player and supports the implementation of curriculum and instruction that is both rigorous and highly differentiated to meet the needs of all learners. Parents respect Conchi because she holds high expectations for her students. They appreciate her willingness to go above and beyond, so their children succeed in Spanish.”

Cummings’ students have consistently scored high on the quarterly benchmark tests. Her students said they can tell she loves them. Positive and calm, she allows students to be creative and experience different things, they said.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools will honor Bolotin and Cummings at its 35th annual Excellence in Education Awards hosted by the 21st Century Education Foundation on April 15, 2021. The event will culminate with the announcement of the 2021 Anne Arundel County Public School Teacher of the Year, who will represent the county in the Maryland State Teacher of the Year competition.

 

 

Monarch Global Academy Laurel Names Kate Dreibelbis Dean of Students

Monarch Global Academy Laurel Names Kate Dreibelbis Dean of Students

Monarch Global Academy Laurel, a public contract school with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, named Kate Dreibelbis dean of students. Dreibelbis is a strategic leader and behavioral specialist with experience supporting children with a wide range of behaviors.

“Kate comes to us with a plethora of knowledge and experience. She is leading our student support team, ensuring they are meeting the needs of our school community. Our virtual environment has created many challenges, and Kate has taken the initiative to connect with families for support,” Monarch Global Academy Principal Donna O’Shea said.

As dean of students, Dreibelbis works with students, family and staff members to motivate positive and appropriate student behavior and works with an interdisciplinary team to create and implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports schoolwide programs. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a framework for improving student outcomes.

Prior to coming to Monarch Global Academy Laurel, Dreibelbis was dean of students for the past two years at Monarch Academy Annapolis, which she joined in 2017 as a student support coach. Dreibelbis previously worked for the Episcopal Center for Children in Washington, D.C., as director of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, coordinator of behavioral support specialists and behavioral support specialist.

She graduated from High Point University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in human relations and earned a Master of Education degree from Concordia University. Dreibelbis also has an applied behavior analyst certification from Penn State University.

Monarch Academy charter and contract schools in Annapolis, Glen Burnie and Laurel, Maryland, are affiliate members of The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations and dedicated to transforming how America educates and cares for its children through education, behavioral health and national training and consultation services. Affiliates of The Children’s Guild Alliance include The Children’s Guild, The Children’s Guild D.C. Public Charter School, The Academy for Working Students (TAWS), TranZed Apprenticeships, Transformation Education Institute and The National Children’s Guild Fund.

The Children’s Guild Alliance’s Transformation Fall 2020 Newsletter Recognizes Our Resilience

The Children’s Guild Alliance’s Transformation Fall 2020 Newsletter Recognizes Our Resilience

We are collectively living through one of the most sweeping health crises in our history. This issue of Transformation shares how The Children’s Guild Alliance has relied on empathy and action to persevere during these challenging times.

The holidays are difficult for many of our families, especially this year. We introduce our Holiday Gift Catalog and invite you to help us spread joy with an array of gifts from school supplies and daily essentials to gift certificates or a special experience such as a trip to the beach.

We are thankful for the success of our virtual Kids First Celebration and congratulate our 2020 Sadie Award recipients Guy and Nupur Parekh Flynn. We also congratulate the recipients of our 2020 Monarch Award, the highest honor bestowed upon our staff. Their dedication has been truly inspirational during a year of unforeseen stress and change.

Our staff continue to amaze us with their creativity and commitment. From virtual pep rallies to flexible mental health services, we are educating and caring for the whole child. We also welcome new staff members hired to build a more inclusive school culture.

Learn how The Guild is making the most of grants and special funding to launch preschool programs in Annapolis and College Park. We have also received grants to fund our community-building efforts during distance learning and support our ongoing food distribution program in Annapolis.

This issue of Transformation highlights how The Guild has transformed its approach during COVID-19 to meet the needs of our students. As you read these stories, join us in celebrating learning, giving, and putting “kids first”.

We’re Proud to be an Affiliate of The Children’s Guild