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Dear GBW Families,
As we wrap up the 2021-2022 school year I wanted to send one last News You Choose message to thank you for such a successful school year. We also wanted to say a formal thank you and farewell message to our staff leaving GBW.
Thank You GBW Students
Our students worked hard this year as we returned to in-person instruction for 5 days a week. We faced many challenges this year with the COVID isolation and quarantining procedures that were frequently updated from month to month. We also had to work twice as hard to make up for the learning loss that occurred during our virtual learning. It was so nice to return to in-person learning where students learn best, surrounded by their peers and face-to-face with their teachers. Students, we saw how hard you worked this year on all of your classwork assignments, homework, projects, performances, and tests. We are so proud of every one of you for an amazing school year.
Thank you GBW Community
Thank you GBW Community for helping us to celebrate the 50th Year Anniversary of GBW as we celebrated 50 years of excellence that started back in 1972 with Don Carrol as our first principal. The 50th Year Birthday Bash, the special guest speakers, and the time capsule that was prepared for our lobby helped us to commemorate this special occasion. As I shared at our birthday bash, GBW has a long history of collaboration, a fierce love of learning, a commitment towards inclusion, and a love of community that closely resembles a family. Our community has worked hard over the years to create this strong GBW family and we are so proud to be a part of this amazing family.
Thank you GBW Staff
As we embark on the next 50 years of excellence for GBW, I am so proud to work alongside such amazing and talented teachers and staff. At a recent interview with a new prospective teacher, the applicant asked me what I was most proud of at GBW. I quickly shared that it was our teachers and staff. GBW was able to have one of our highest performing years this year despite all of the learning challenges faced with the pandemic. Our test scores, student programming, and services provided to students were simply amazing. I give all the credit to our amazingly talented teachers and staff. They stayed long hours, worked hard through professional development to improve their practices, and always held themselves and our students accountable to high expectations. But most importantly, our staff loved our students in a special way so that every student felt important, respected, safe, and included as a member of our loving GBW family. Staff- thank you for the way you loved our students, staff, and community this year. We are so grateful for each and every one of you.
New Beginnings for GBW Staff
As we close the 2021-2022 school year, I want to pause and say a very special thank you to the Greenbriar West ES staff who will be leaving us this year to embark on a new journey. These fine staff have worked hard to serve our students and our community and we wish them well as they start a new chapter in their professional careers.
Rosalyn Crews (1st Grade Teacher)
Roz has been teaching with FCPS for 13 years, teaching with GBW for 1 year, and has accepted a music teaching position at Westlawn Elementary School for the 2022-2023 school year. Roz will be missed for her gentle, caring demeanor. She was a collaborator who quickly learned the ropes here at GBW upon her hire in the fall. While we are excited for her new journey, we will sorely miss her expertise and kindness!
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Melanie Dorsey (3rd Grade Teacher)
Melanie has worked for GBW for 6 years, and will now be moving on from teaching to serve as a professional learning specialist for Amplify Math 6-8 (soon to be Amplify Math + Desmos Classroom). We will miss Melanie’s knowledge and instructional expertise, especially in the area of mathematics. Her classroom routines and structures were top notch. We wish Melanie the best of luck in her new adventure!
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Sarah Francis (6th Grade AAP / Level IV Teacher)
Sarah has taught 10 years in FCPS and 3 of those years here at GBW. Next year Sarah will have the opportunity to continue teaching her favorite subject of mathematics nearby at Franklin Middle School. Sarah was a positive team-player who managed to enrich instructional experiences for all her students. Good luck Sarah!
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Amy Krejcar (6th Grade Teacher)
Amy has taught at GBW for 10 years and for 25 years in FCPS. Next year Amy will be teaching Grade 6 Level IV at Poplar Tree Elementary School. Amy had a warm, caring spirit that translated into a positive classroom culture. She was a caring team-player who wanted the best for her students. She will continue to do great work in FCPS!
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James Michelucci (Physical Education Teacher)
James has been at GBW for 2 years, and he will continue teaching Physical Education in Baltimore County Public Schools. Although James only served as a teacher for 2 years, his work was that of a seasoned veteran. He built and maintained positive relationships with students while teaching them all how to be healthier individuals. James will continue to do great work in the education field!
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Kim Picinich (Psychologist)
Kim has worked at Greenbriar West for 3 years and for FCPS for 19 years. Kim will continue to work for FCPS as a psychologist providing services and support for a variety of schools within the county. Kim had an incredibly kind and approachable personality. She communicated with everyone in the most genuine and professional manner. We will miss her caring dedication to our students, staff, and families!
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Lisa Prillaman (School Based Technology Specialist- SBTS)
Lisa has worked at GBW for 4 years and 21 years in FCPS. Next year Lisa will continue her work as a School Based Technology Specialist at Oak Hill Elementary School. Lisa always had upbeat, positive interactions with colleagues and students. Lisa’s knowledge and professionalism served our students and staff members amazingly. She was a pleasure to work with and learn from here at GBW!
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Rachel Taormina (1st Grade Teacher)
Rachel has worked at GBW for the last 7 years. She will continue teaching next year in Prince William County as a 1st grade teacher at Piney Branch Elementary School. Her calm demeanor and dedication to her work will be greatly missed. We know she will continue to have a positive impact on students and families!
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GBW Retirees
We frequently refer to GBW as a family, and these special staff members truly are family members of our GBW family. We are so grateful for their heartfelt commitment, dedication, and service to GBW over the years. These retirees have given so much of their time, energy, resources, and professional careers towards serving our GBW community. We will miss seeing you daily in our halls and we hope you will frequently come back to visit us.
Meri Aanstoos (Special Education Teacher)
Meri has dedicated the last 20 years of her professional career working at GBW. Meri will be retiring into the sunset as she plans to move close to the beach with her husband. We will miss Meri’s positive spirit, smile, and sense of humor. Meri’s work ethic was unmatched, and she had a special way of supporting students with complex learning needs to ensure that all students were successful.
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Cindy Dall (Administrative Assistant)
Cindy has served GBW for 21 years and has truly been the backbone of GBW. She’s been described as the glue that holds our school community together. We will truly miss her knowledge, skills, and dedication to our students, staff, and families. Even more so, we will miss her kind, gentle nature. Her commitment to GBW and our community has had such a tremendous positive impact over the years and we are so excited for her to enjoy her well-deserved retirement.
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Andrea Knippler (Instructional Assistant)
Andrea has worked for FCPS for 17 years, and 4 of those years were here at GBW. Andrea will continue to work with children at a pre-school, the same pre-school she started her career in education. We will miss Andrea’s can-do attitude, sense of humor, and willingness to do whatever it takes for our students. Andrea has a servant heart that is full of humility. She has served in so many capacities to help our community through a challenging pandemic, and we owe her a thousand thank-you’s that cannot easily be expressed in words. Andrea, we have been inspired by your servant heart to love our students and our community.
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Catherine Schmitt (Office Assistant)
Catherine has worked for FCPS for 18 years and 13 of those years were here at GBW. Catherine will be moving to Richmond, VA, so she can be closer to family. We will miss Catherine’s ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, staff, and families. She had a special gift for making every small conversation with students into a life changing conversation. Catherine had countless informal student mentees in GBW, and she saw every conversation as an opportunity to express her genuine attention and care.
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Rita Updike (Special Education Instructional Assistant)
Rita has worked at GBW for the past 18 years. Rita looks forward to a more relaxed pace of life where she can enjoy a long list of tourist attractions. We will miss Rita’s cheerful, calm presence. She was truly dedicated to our students. Rita was reliable and always went above and beyond to ensure our students’ needs were met.
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