Bowie State Graduate Named Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – A Bowie State University graduate and high school choral director was named the 2019 Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year for her outstanding work nurturing young vocalists.

Angelica Brooks (’02) was selected from among 24 outstanding nominees from one of the nation’s 25 largest school districts. She received the award at a gala Saturday during national Teacher Appreciation Week.

“Our new Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year epitomizes excellence in teaching and instills a passion for music in her students,” said Monica Goldson, interim chief executive, in a statement. “The arts provide opportunities for students to tap into their creativity and play a key role in building skills that translate into future success in college and careers.”

An 11-year veteran educator in the county, Brooks is the choral director at Bowie High School. Her colleagues say she demonstrates engaging instruction and passion for her work. She has also taken on additional leadership roles in curriculum writing and professional development. Under her direction, the Bowie High School choral program is known as one of the best in the school district and the state. “She has built a reputation for being one of the best in her field,” said her principal, Robynne Prince.

Brooks was nominated for the county's top educator award in 2012. A year later, she was a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award. The Maryland Music Educators Association gave her superior ratings in choral excellence from 2013-2018, and in 2014, she received a Board of Education Award for superior state chorus ratings.

She will compete against educators from the state’s other 23 school systems for Maryland Teacher of the Year.

Brooks is just one example of the Bowie State University graduates who have excelled in the field of education. William Thomas (’02) was named the 2008 Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year and the 2008 Maryland Teacher of the Year.

###

About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit www.bowiestate.edu.