Young named 2008 Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher award
On a typical Wednesday at Westlake High School, English teacher Vera Young is reading aloud from the novel "Of Mice and Men" to her fifth-period class. She walks quietly around her second-floor classroom, which is filled with bookshelves packed with books, reading to her students, her voice booming with excitement. Her students' eyes grow with excitement as her voice illustrates the story and draws them into the book.
She is most noted for her pleasant attitude, outgoing personality, her passion for teaching and her ability to motivate her students. It is these qualities, and the ability to reach her students and draw then into whatever their lesson may be, that earned Young the 2008 Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award for Charles County.
Young, who said she was filled with emotion when she was told she was this year's recipient of the award, grew up with parents who are both retired Charles County Public Schools teachers and never thought she wanted a teaching career.
"My parents were both teachers in the county. Growing up and seeing how hard they worked, I never thought that I would be a teacher. I was interested in business and took a couple of education classes, to see what education courses were like. I really enjoyed them and I enjoy finding ways to challenge my students. I am extremely honored to be chosen as the recipient of this award," she said.
Young is described by her nominators as being able to instill a desire to learn and achieve, and her enthusiasm for teaching is visible to other teachers, staff, students and parents.
"An observer in Young's classroom need only watch her students' faces to know that this is, indeed, a very special place with a teacher who is one in a million. The students' eyes are glued on her, no matter where she goes; her arms gesture dynamically, her voice both powerful and compassionate," wrote Linda Flanagan, the content specialist for English Language Composition for Charles County Public Schools, in an award nomination letter.
Westlake Principal Chrystal Benson, who co-chaired the nominating committee with Westlake Vice Principal Lori Gibson, said Young defines what a role model is. "At Westlake High School, Vera is a true leader and helps to establish a positive school climate. She has established a great relationship with her colleagues, students, administration and parents. Anyone that has the opportunity to work with Vera is honored by her presence, knowledge and perseverance," Benson said.
Many of Young's students, including some of the more than 100 she has helped mentor through the senior portfolio process, say she is their favorite teacher and has truly impacted their life. They also speak of her passion for teaching.
Westlake student Cameron Washington said Young's teaching styles and positive attitude changed his views on English classes. "Your class inspired me to stay positive about English even though it isn't my favorite class. You gave me a newfound respect for the subject and life. You do not know how much your class has changed my life and you handed me tools and knowledge on how to become an intelligent individual willing to accomplish any task set before me," Washington said in an award nomination letter.
In another award nomination letter, Westlake senior LaJuan Bennett credits Young with her acceptance to a four-year university. "There is no way I would be going to Shepherd [university] without your help. You are such an amazing teacher. I'll be sure to make you proud at Shepherd!," Bennett wrote.
"I often hear 'Oh no' when I tell people I teach high school. You really have to enjoy teaching to be in the classroom. I feel that this is what I was born to do. One of the things I particularly enjoy is when I see students experience the joy of learning. I want them to understand the joys and encourage them to be life-long learners. It makes me smile when I see joy on their faces," she added.
Young obtained her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from McDaniel College in 1995 and earned her bachelor's degree in English from St. Mary's College of Maryland. She also holds an advanced professional certification in English. In 1990, she began her career in Charles County Public Schools as an English teacher at Maurice J. McDonough High School. She taught at McDonough for five years and transferred to Westlake High School in 1995, where she has taught ninth-grade English and Advanced Placement English Language and Composition for the past 13 years.
Young has been named to the Who's Who Among High School Teachers more than 15 times and was a semifinalist for the Charles County Teacher of the Year award in 2005. She is also a ninth- and tenth-grade team leader, member of the school improvement team and the SAT and ACT enrichment committee, is team leader for the student valuing committee, serves as a faculty and student mentor and sponsors the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, to name a few. The goals of the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Awards, which are sponsored by the Washington Post Company Educational Foundation, are to recognize excellence in teaching, to encourage creative and quality instruction and to contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education. Agnes Meyer was the wife of Eugene Meyer, who purchased the Post in 1933 and was an advocate for public education. The Post will honor Young during a May 1 reception and the Board of Education will recognize her at the May 13 meeting.
