Sheppard Pratt is excited to congratulate the winners of the first Teacher of the Year Award: Natalie Crabbs Mollett of Sheppard Pratt School in Reisterstown and Shanel Jenkins of Sheppard Pratt School in Rockville. The surprise announcements were made during ceremonies at their schools on July 14 and 16, with Sheppard Pratt leaders, colleagues, and students in attendance.
The award is sponsored by The Dr. Penelope S. Cordish Endowed Fund for Teaching Excellence, named in honor of Sheppard Pratt board member and retired educator, Dr. Penelope “Penny” Cordish. Her family established the fund to honor Dr. Cordish and her passion for education and to celebrate the enthusiasm and dedication of teachers in our Sheppard Pratt Schools.
President and CEO Harsh K. Trivedi, MD, MBA, presented the awards and celebrated all Sheppard Pratt teachers who worked diligently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic saying “Our Sheppard Pratt Schools play such an important role in the continuum of care at Sheppard Pratt. You showed resiliency and creativity to allow our students the opportunity to continue their education.”
The Teacher of the Year nominees were judged based on their demonstration of excellence in five areas: quality, caring, teamwork, integrity, and leadership.
Crabbs Mollett, a special education teacher was credited for managing her classroom during the pandemic. “Natalie did a phenomenal job adapting her curriculum to a distance and hybrid learning model,” said one nomination. “She’s been viewed as a great resource to her colleagues and always goes the extra mile to do whatever she could to make her students feel heard and valued.”
Jenkins teaches middle school and was celebrated for thinking outside of the box to ensure a quality education for her students. One nominator noted, “Shanel makes sure her lesson plans not only fit the needs of the group but fit the needs of each individual student.” Another commented, “Shanel prides herself on integrity in order to be a role model for her students. She is flexible and compassionate.”
The Teacher of the Year winners will each receive $3,000 and their respective schools will receive $5,000 to be used for professional development.
Twenty-eight other teachers were nominated for Teacher of the Year.
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