Damascus, Flower Hill Educators Win Lowrie Awards

Two elementary school teachers are being honored with the Shirley J. Lowrie “Thank You for Teaching” Awards this year—Laura Bookman, a first grade teacher at Flower Hill Elementary School, and Amy Weaver, a second grade teacher at Damascus Elementary School.

Laura Bookman

Laura Bookman, who has been teaching for 24 years, has been at Flower Hill the past 13 years. She has taught first and second grades, and is currently first grade team leader and a member of the Instructional Leadership Team.

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.

Amy Weaver

A 29-year veteran of MCPS, Amy Weaver is a second grade teacher at Damascus Elementary. She has worked at Damascus for 11 years. Her students are excited about learning because she builds so much excitement and fun into her lessons. Her welcoming smile and joy are steady and infectious. She routinely uses community circles to build community in the class. She seeks various strategies to support students and advocates for them in a variety of ways. She gets to know her students well and builds a rapport with them that lasts long after they leave her classroom.

She has consistently led students to substantial academic gains, as well as social-emotional growth.

Weaver holds a master’s degree in teaching elementary students with a concentration in math/science. She has worked as a team leader and mentor teacher and served on the restorative justice, gifted and talented, math night and equity committees. She fosters communication with parents, grandparents and community members with phone calls, emails and an open-door policy with volunteers.

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.