News Release

Veteran James Hubert Blake High School English teacher Allison Finn has been named as the 2010 Montgomery County Public School’s recipient of the Washington Post’s Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award, presented annually to one exceptional educator in each of 21 DC-area jurisdictions.

“I am honored—and humbled—to have been nominated and to have been chosen the winner,” says Miss Finn, who feels there isn’t just one educational philosophy she follows for teaching her classes. “Each student is different, so my approach to each student’s education must also be different. I guess the number one rule is to keep the standards high for all and vary the path to achievement.”

With a masters degree from the College of William and Mary School of Education, Miss Finn joined the staff at Blake in 2000 and earned the prestigious National Board Certification in 2008. Her current teaching schedule includes AP English Composition 11, Honors English 11, and Honors English 9, as well as an elective yearbook production class. Additionally, Miss Finn is sponsor of the freshman class and a lead instructor in teaching new technology to fellow faculty members. Out of school, she has spent nine years as an EMT/firefighter with the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department.

“I think the best way to influence students is to do things worth emulating and set a positive example,” says Miss Finn. “I believe deeply in service—in the school community as well as the local community. If they [students] know I work hard for myself and that I will work hard for them, they are more likely to work hard for themselves. And if they know I work hard for the community and support their efforts there as well, they will again be more likely to work for others.”

Blake principal Carole Goodman, who nominated Miss Finn for the Agnes Meyer Award, says, “Her ability to inspire, motivate, engage and excite even the most disenfranchised students is nothing short of remarkable….Students are eager to participate in her class and thrive on her praise and encouragement.” Mrs. Goodman also notes that Miss Finn’s lessons “are brilliantly planned to include respect for all cultures, a focus on the arts, a love of reading and writing, and an enthusiasm for learning.”

Adds Blake English resource teacher Joseph Caulfield, who has observed Miss Finn in her classroom numerous times, “Unless that award is given for being generous, committed, indefatigable, and resourceful, she doesn’t deserve it at all.”

Miss Finn becomes the third Blake teacher to win the Agnes Meyer Award since the school opened in 1998, joining social studies teacher Mary Wagner (2004) and foreign language teacher Teresa Carbonell (2007) as recipients.