1. January 19, 2016
To: SMECO Outstanding Mathematics and
Science Teachers Selection Committee
RE: Tiyata Winters
I write this recommendation in support of Ms. Tiyata Winters as Outstanding
Teacher of the Year. As a parent and resident of Charles County, MD with two sons who
have been educated in the Charles County school system and personally taught by Ms.
Winters, I would like to highlight the tremendous contributions she has made both as a
superb mathematics teacher at Matthew Henson Middle School and citizen of Charles
County Public Schools.
Ms. Winters has served with great dedication and commitment to learning and the
personal development of her students and more specifically my sons. Her ability to
present math concepts in a fun and non-intimidating manner inspires her students to not
only learn math, but other science, technology and engineering concepts as well. Her
ability to convey to students practical application of math principals to everyday
challenges and concepts helped my sons move from an attitude of “Why am I doing this,
I’ll never use this when I leave school” to one in which they are applying math concepts
to shopping to determine best value and constructing robotics to perform simple task.
Ms. Winters commitment to spending additional time before and after school to
help her students with difficulties they were having, demonstrates her personal dedication
to her students and learning. In fact, my sons oftentimes called on Ms. Winters to help
them with math, when they were officially assigned to other math classes taught by other
teachers. Ms. Winters gave of herself and served as my sons math teacher sponsor when
he competed for Raytheon Corporation’s “Math Moves” scholarship competition, in
which he was awarded a $1000 scholarship and Matthew Henson Middle School was
awarded a matching $1000 scholarship.
One of my sons is a junior at North Point High School and is excelling in math
and science and plans to major in business administration upon graduating from high
school. My other son graduated from North Point High School in 2015 and attends
Hampton University majoring in Electrical Engineering. Ms. Winters remains vigilant in
offering our sons encouragement and support during their respective high school and
college years. I am convinced that many of my sons’ successes and positive views of
math and science are due in large part to the significant impact Ms. Winters has had on
shaping them as young men and scholars.
Ms. Winters’ commitment goes well beyond the classroom to ensure her students
remain model citizens and stellar students, even into their college careers by offering
academic guidance and serving as a sounding board. During the 2015 Christmas break
she arranged an opportunity for her current students to meet with former students
including my son, who shared information about their respective colleges, the college

2. admissions process and requirements, college life and their experiences for her current
students. She is all about helping her students move to the next level, socially and
academically.
My family and I are personally indebted to Ms. Winters for her dedication,
support and partnership in making learning fun, interesting and relevant. I am so thankful
to Ms. Winters possessing the characteristics that have made great teachers great and
providing my sons with experiences that have shaped their perspective on science,
technology, engineering and math.
I ask your serious consideration in bestowing the honor of “Mathematics Teacher
of the Year” upon Ms. Winters for all that she has done and continues to do to serve the
students of Matthew Henson Middle School and Charles County Public Schools.
Sincerely,
//s//
Antwane & Maria Johnson
3660 Foxhall Place
White Plains, MD. 20695