Sheppard Pratt is pleased to announce Paola Houston-Davalos of the Sheppard Pratt School in Rockville and Victoria Sarem of the Sheppard Pratt School in Glyndon as the winners of its annual Teacher of the Year Award. The achievements of Houston-Davalos and Sarem were recognized during surprise ceremonies at their schools on August 28 and September 4, 2024, with their colleagues and Sheppard Pratt leaders in attendance.
For four consecutive years, Sheppard Pratt has presented its top two educators with the Teacher of the Year Award. The award is sponsored by the family of Dr. Penelope “Penny” Cordish, a former Sheppard Pratt board member and retired educator. The purpose of the award is to honor Sheppard Pratt teachers who, like Dr. Cordish, excel in all the following areas: quality, caring, teamwork, integrity, and leadership. Recipients of the award are nominated by their colleagues or by a Sheppard Pratt School family.
Pictured from left to right: Christy Harper, clinical team leader; Kathy Flannery, vice president and Chief of Schools; Amy Poirier, principal, Sheppard Pratt School Rockville; Claire Cohen, regional director of schools; Paola Houston-Davalos, Teacher of the Year winner; Harsh K. Trivedi, MD, MBA, Sheppard Pratt president and CEO; and Mark Hajjar, education director, Sheppard Pratt School Rockville.
Paola Houston-Davalos, foreign language and lead teacher at the Sheppard Pratt School in Rockville, received recognition for her staunch commitment and caring nature, both of which she has displayed steadfastly throughout her 20-plus-year career. Those who nominated Houston-Davalos commented on her unique ability to make learning fun for her neurodivergent students by incorporating game-based learning into nearly all her lessons. She even takes her students on special trips to local restaurants where they can practice their language skills with native speakers. She also leads the Community Committee, which provides a special group of students who exhibit leadership qualities with the opportunity to plan and attend various experiential learning events.
Houston-Davalos is a compassionate educator who goes above and beyond to ensure the basic needs of her students are met, organizing a pantry and annual clothing drives for them. Her commitment to the school community extends to her colleagues, too. As a lead teacher, many other educators and staff members look to her for guidance. According to one of her nominators, “Houston-Davalos embodies integrity and professionalism. She is a phenomenal mentor to several teachers and leads by example.”
Victoria Sarem, teacher of the year runner-up pictured with Kevin Iacoboni education director of Sheppard Pratt School in Glyndon, Amy Shafran, school principal, Kathleen Flannery, VP chief of schools, and Harsh K. Trivedi, MD, MBA, Sheppard Pratt president and CEO.
Victoria Sarem, an English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at the Sheppard Pratt School in Glyndon, was nominated for her tenacity and willingness to challenge her students and colleagues to reach their full potential. Several of Sarem’s nominators commented on how she strives for excellence and encourages her students to read and write at grade-appropriate levels, effectively surpassing ELA standards and preparing them for graduation and beyond.
Sarem oversees a Newspaper Club that teaches students the importance of storytelling, timeliness, and teamwork. Sarem’s creativity extends beyond the classroom, as she has stepped up to offer support at school events, such as serving as the official photographer for the school’s prom this past spring.
Sarem demonstrates immense dedication to her students and colleagues. Those who nominated Sarem commented on her mentorship abilities, noting how she takes time to develop those who are new to the profession and stays current on important changes and regulations impacting special education. One nominator praised Sarem’s innovative leadership, saying, “Sarem strives to share her experience with others and continues to bring awareness and perspective to the ever-changing world of special education.”
Harsh K. Trivedi, MD, MBA, Sheppard Pratt president and CEO visits with a student
from the Sheppard Pratt School in Rockville
Sheppard Pratt president and CEO, Harsh K. Trivedi, MD, MBA, presented both awards. During the ceremonies, Dr. Trivedi took the time to commend all Sheppard Pratt School personnel for their dedication to their students, colleagues, and the Sheppard Pratt School community, saying, “I am deeply appreciative of the tremendous efforts of Sheppard Pratt’s educators and school staff. Each of you puts in the time, energy, and dedication to ensure our students are not only successful inside the classroom but out in the community. The future of our students is in your capable hands, and for that, I could not be more thankful.”
Both Houston-Davalos and Sarem will be awarded with a stipend, and their schools will receive $5,000 and $3,000 respectively for professional development.