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About James Booker

“Be flexible and roll with the punches,” that’s the best advice James Booker has received as a teacher and advice he continues to give to those considering a career in education. Booker has taught for 15 years, primarily because he likes “working with children and trying to mold young minds,” he says.

Booker earned his B.A. in Psychology and his Masters of Teaching in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia. He currently teaches math at University Park Elementary School in Prince George’s County.

It was his high school geometry teacher, Ms. Dodd, who most influenced Booker. “She always pushed her students to do better,” he says. Had he not become a teacher, Booker would have chosen a career that somehow “involved working with kids.”

The person he admires most is his wife. “She’s a person that can juggle many things and do them well,” he says. “She’s a fantastic person.”

His favorite reads is The Lightening Thief series. “The mix of humor and mythology really made this book very enjoyable,” he says.

About Anton Davis

“Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” Those are words Anton Davis lives by and advice he shares with those thinking of becoming a teacher. However, the best advice he’s received during his 15 years in the classroom is “to stay out of the teacher’s lounge and to always elevate my standards, because the students will try their best to reach them,” he says.

A 6th-grade math teacher at Rosaryville Elementary School in Prince George’s County, Davis received a B.A. in Journalism from Johnson C. Smith University and a M.S.A. from Trinity University. It was Ms. Courtney Pringle, a retired PGCPS teacher, who most influenced Davis’ teaching. “She was the personification of academic rigor,” he says.

Davis’ favorite moment as a teacher came several years ago, while teaching “a young lady who feared math,” he says. “I used to tell her to go home, look in the mirror and say: ‘I love math, math is my best friend.’ She did this daily and eventually became my best math student. It’s funny, because she used the power of autosuggestion to change her thinking and eventually her results.”

While he appreciates many for their fortitude, intelligence and trailblazing ability, it is Barak Obama who has captured Davis’ admiration. “He changed the status quo of American politics and the antiquated thinking of so many people. Now, everyone understands the ‘Power of Thinking Big,’” says Davis.

Think and Grow Rich, a 1937 book by Napoleon Hill is Davis’ favorite book “because it teaches powerful principals, such as developing a definite purpose, building a positive mental attitude, channeling the power of the sub-conscious mind and dealing with adversity,” he says.

About David R. Freeman

“I teach because the teachers that I had as a student were patient with a high spirited, enthusiastic and curious student ... I wanted to offer others the same opportunities to learn,” says David R. Freeman, a 4th-grade teacher at St. Mary of the Mills School in Prince George’s County.

Freeman, who has taught for 17 years, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University Maryland. His favorite moment as a teacher “has always been watching a student's eyes light up when they finally understand a concept he’s been trying to grasp,” he says.

The teacher that most influenced Freeman was Sam Debone, his high school soccer coach. “[He] pushed me to be the best soccer player I could be and who taught me to be a good winner and a good loser,” he says.

The best piece of advice Freeman would give to someone thinking of becoming a teacher: “Make sure that you have a lot of patience, a sense of humor, and be a good listener,” he says.

It is his mother and father who Freeman most admires, noting that they “provided me with numerous opportunities to learn and grow and support in whatever I chose,” he says.

About Julie Hughey

Teaching is Julie Hughey’s passion. “I enjoy helping children learn and grow,” says the 12-year classroom veteran. Hughey currently teaches all subjects – reading, language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, and health – at Lake Arbor Elementary School in Prince George’s County.

Having received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Morgan State University, Hughey earned a M.A. in Educational Administration from The Ohio State University. Her favorite moment as a teacher was when “my second grade student, who struggled to read, volunteered to read a difficult passage independently. He read it fluently and confidently,” she says.

The best piece of advice she has been given over the years is “to always try to put yourself in the mind of the child,” she says. “The best piece of advice I'd give to someone thinking of becoming a teacher is to keep your heart in what you do.”

Her kindergarten teacher, Ms. Caterinella, has served as an influence to Hughey, especially now that she is a teacher herself. “She was always positive and encouraging toward all students. She made all students feel loved,” says Hughey.

The person she admires most is her late grandmother, Viola Hughey. “Despite physical challenges, she excelled at everything she did. She walked with grace and displayed exemplary character,” she says.

Her favorite book is A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines “because I enjoyed watching the main character's transformation from a troubled soul into a good human being,” she says.

About Joshua Miles

Raised in a family full of teachers -- there are at least 95 teachers in his family -- teaching is what Joshua Miles knows best. "I like making learning enjoyable," he says.

Miles, who has been an educator for six years, teaches the 4th grade as well as 6th-grade math at St. Mark’s School in Prince George’s County. He received his B.A. in English from Rutgers University, a M.A. in Elementary Education from Kean University, and a M.A. in School Counseling from The George Washington University.

Miles’ favorite part of teaching is that “there’s never a dull moment,” he says. The best advice he’s received came from Kenny Piree, a high school rowing coach: “Don’t rush it.” When giving advice to future classroom educators, Miles builds upon what Piree told him: “Make it fun and give up any possibility of having a social life for the next two years.”

If Miles weren’t a teacher, he’d be working full time at Trader Joe’s. “I love food and I get to interact with people all of the time,” he says. “In addition the uniform is a Hawaiian t-shirt and shorts. I have worked there for two years part time and I've met a lot of interesting people: Bush's speech writer, senators, and a guy that does the video for the Redskins as a job.”

The teacher who most influenced Miles is his mother, who along with his dad are the people Miles most admires. “They are a shining example of what it is to love and be loved. They have been married over 40 years and are still nuts about each other,” he says. “I have never heard a negative thing from either of them about the other. They are who I strive to be like every day. They are both incredibly honest and genuine people.”

About Elizabeth Olvey

“I didn't grow up thinking I was going to be a teacher,” says Elizabeth Olvey. I discovered along the way that it was something I was good at. I love the learning process and enjoy sharing my love of learning with my students. It is important that students understand that while learning is work, it can also be a lot of fun along the way.”

Olvey, a 6th-grade teacher at Riverdale Elementary School in Prince George’s County, received a B.S. from the University of Maryland at College Park. She’s currently enrolled in the Master’s of Education program at Loyola College of Maryland.

Her favorite moment in the classroom, which occurred earlier this year, involved a student who loved to ask questions. “We were discussing measurement tools,” she says. “I held up a graduated cylinder and explained what it was. The student asked why was it called a graduated cylinder and before I could answer one of my other students explained that perhaps it had ‘graduated’ from cylinder school. It was a great way to end the day.”

The best advice Olvey has received as a teacher is, “Write down everything, you never know when you are going to need it. I keep a journal in my desk where I write down things that are important or conversations that I had with students so that if I need to recall information, I know where to look. I have used those notebooks a lot,” she says.

The person Olvey admires most is her grandmother, Lena Candelaria. “She lived an amazing life. She was a single mother. She never gave up on anything and never let you quit either. She always saw the good in everything and didn't waste time looking for the negative,” she says. “If I could be half the person she was I would consider myself truly blessed.”

About Karen Pruett

Why does Karen Pruett teach? “To make a difference in the lives of my students for eternity,” she says. “First, I want to introduce them to Jesus Christ and lead them into a personal relationship with him. Secondly, I want them to discover the joy and satisfaction of learning. I want to help them discover not only their strengths but how work through their weaknesses. May each child discover that perseverance often brings the greatest satisfaction.”

Pruett, who earned a B.S. in Elementary Education, is currently in her 24th year of teaching. While she has taught 4th and 5th grades, Pruett has spent the last 19 years as a kindergarten teacher. She currently teaches at Grace Christian School in Prince George’s County.

If Pruett weren’t a teacher, she’d be a mentor. “I love sharing my skills and what I have learned with others,” she says. “I would always be involved in teaching in some way, whether it be a Bible study, an art, or teaching someone to read.” Pruett’s favorite moment as a teacher comes when she sees “the look of delight on a child's face when he accomplishes something he thought he could not do.”

The best piece of advice she’s been given as a teacher is to “love each child. Each act must be done in love,” she says. The advice she would give to someone thinking of becoming a teacher: “Pray for each child, asking God to love him or her through you. Pray for the ability to see each one through His eyes of love.”

The teacher who most influenced her and the person she most admires is Jesus Christ, “the greatest teacher of all,” she says. “He showed me how to live and died for me that I may one day go to live with him forever.”

About Delisa M. Robinson

“My desire is to inspire and motivate students to do and be their best and help them progress academically,” says Delisa M. Robinson, a 3rd-grade teacher at Perrywood Elementary School in Prince George’s County.

Having taught for nine years, Robinson received her B.S. in Kinesiological Science from the University of Maryland. She also has completed the Resident Teacher Program.

Her favorite moments in the classroom occur “when I see students have an ‘aha’ moment or show pride in something that they have learned, discovered, or created,” she says.

The best piece of advice I've been given as a teacher: “Keep learning, take advantage of professional development opportunities,” she says, “and stay abreast of the current research.” Advice she would give to someone thinking of becoming a teacher: “Recognize that teaching is more of a calling. It is not a typical 9-5 job. Although teaching can be challenging or even frustrating, it is also very rewarding.”