Potomac Elementary School Welcomes New Teachers

Janet Gawler and Heidi Allen agree – their first week at was awesome. 

The two new teachers came to PES from different backgrounds, but both are excited to be in an environment where they feel supported by staff, parents and their principal.

Gawler is a 25-year veteran of Montgomery County Public Schools but is teaching 5th grade for the first time this year. She comes to PES from , where she worked as an instructional data analyst. Her dream, however, was always to have her own classroom.

“I had no trepidation about changing schools and moving on,” Gawler said. “I am so passionate about what I am doing.” 

This year she teaches 5th grade reading, language arts and social studies. PES Principal Linda Goldberg said she is impressed with Gawler’s initiative. All summer long, Gawler has been meeting with her team teaching partner, planning the curriculum and preparing for the school year.

“She was ready to roll when the school year began,” Goldberg said.

Allen, a recent graduate of Frostburg State University, is just starting her teaching career and is brand new to MCPS. She comes to PES as a 2nd grade math and science teacher, after spending the summer volunteering at Gibbs Elementary School.

The week before school started, Kim Bosnic, principal of Gibbs, heard about the position at PES and immediately contacted Principal Goldberg, telling her of Allen’s volunteer work and recommending her for the job. Allen met with Goldberg on Thursday and was on-board at Potomac Elementary Monday morning – in time to meet and greet her new students.

Teaching can be a challenging profession. In addition to planning, grading and working with classrooms, teachers must be tireless and “on” each day, serving as a nurturer and cheerleader to each student.

Gawler was able to attend the MCPS new teacher’s training but Allen was hired too late to participate. “The training was very effective and I realized how much support new teachers are given both at the local school level and from MCPS.” 

In addition to the support from the school system, the teachers find that everyday they are rewarded for their efforts.

“One of my 5th graders told me, ‘You rock, Ms. Gawler!’” Gawler said. “I knew then that I must have made a good first impression – and I was pleased with the compliment.”

Do you know of a new teacher in Potomac schools we should feature on Patch? Let us know in the comments.