An instructional specialist in the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) office of special education recently received the Richard F. O’Donnell Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC). Elisabeth Shook is the first woman in Charles County to receive the award.
Shook said receiving the award was humbling and meaningful. “I have never done this work for recognition, so to be honored in this way is something I truly appreciate,” she said. “The people who have been awarded this in the past were my mentors and the people who taught me how to be a coach and be a leader.”
The award is the highest honor SMAC presents to former coaches and athletic administrators. The award is named for the late O’Donnell, a boys basketball coach at Chopticon High School and former president of SMAC who passed away in 2011.
Shook started her teaching career as a special education teacher at Thomas Stone High School before going to Milton M. Somers Middle School. From there she moved to Westlake High School and then moved on to the instructional specialist position at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building.
While in the classroom, Shook took on coaching roles outside of it. She coached cross country at Stone and indoor and outdoor track at Stone and Westlake. Shook was the director of the poms and dance team at Stone, was the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) state director for indoor and outdoor track and field, and is a certified official for cross country and track.
She has received the Coach of the Year Award from SMAC more than a dozen times and has been recognized by The Washington Post as an All-Met Coach of the Year.
Shook’s coaching experience helps her in her current role with CCPS. “I wanted to have a bigger impact beyond my own classroom. As a special education teacher, I found myself helping other teachers with IEPs, problem-solving difficult situations and making sure students were receiving the supports they needed,” she said. “Helping teachers grow, build confidence and find solutions is where my passion lies. What I enjoy most is that every day feels like coaching.”
Shook has forged a career that reflects a commitment to students, colleagues and the broader Charles County community, according to those who know and work with her.
“Beth is dedicated, dependable and always willing to help — even when complex challenges arise outside regular working hours,” Larry Johnson, CCPS director of special education, said. “She thoughtfully works through problems, follows through on commitments and is someone I trust and depend on to get the job done.”
Johnson said Shook creates a welcoming atmosphere that encourages colleagues working for the benefit of students. “She also thinks critically about the culture and climate of our department, consistently encouraging us to create a positive environment in which every employee feels welcomed, supported and valued,” he said.
For Shook, it’s what she’s always done — as a teacher and coach. “My goal is always to build people’s capacity so they can be successful,” she said. “When teachers are supported and confident, students benefit — and that’s what motivates me every day.”
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).