Laura Bookman, a first grade teacher at Flower Hill Elementary School in Gaithersburg, is one of two MCPS teachers being honored with the Shirley J. Lowrie “Thank You for Teaching” Awards this year.
Bookman has been teaching for 24 years and has been at Flower Hill the past 13 years. She has taught first and second grades, and is currently the first grade team leader and a member of the Instructional Leadership Team.
Per MCPS: “She is remarkably dedicated to making sure her students receive the support they need, and the results show in the literacy rates from her classroom. Under her guidance, the literacy rate in her class soared from 71 percent to 88 percent. By the end of the year, 100 percent of African American and Hispanic students in her class were reading on grade level. Her exemplary practices have drawn teachers not only from inside Flower Hill, but also from across the district.
She uses innovative teaching methods that cater to diverse learning styles, such as hands-on activities, creative projects and interactive lessons. She instills values, such as respect, empathy and perseverance, helping students develop into well-rounded individuals.”
Both teachers won $2,500 prizes for being named winners. The annual “Thank You for Teaching” awards are made possible through the Shirley J. Lowrie Memorial Fund, established at the Greater Washington Community Foundation.