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Ebony Love Cross, a reading specialist at Valley View Elementary School in Oxon Hill, believes teaching is a "work of heart, not a work of art."

Cross was recognized Tuesday for her 12 years in the Prince George's County Public Schools system when she was named the county's Teacher of the Year at a ceremony at Newton White Mansion in Mitchellville. She was among eight finalists and 20 nominees for the award.

"I am extremely proud and excited about this opportunity … to be able to serve in this capacity for Prince George's County Public Schools, it's exciting," Cross said shortly after she received the award.

Cross, 34, said she enjoys teaching reading because it is the essential skill that all students must have to succeed. She said she has always cared about children and wanted to pursue education as a career.

A Suitland native who now lives in Fort Washington, Cross is a graduate of Suitland High School, earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from South Carolina State University and a master's degree in education from Western Maryland College.

She has taught at Valley View since 2004, and previously taught at Glassmanor Elementary in Oxon Hill.

JoAnn Spruell, principal of Valley View, described the role of reading specialist as the "nucleus of the instructional program" at the school and said Cross works with students in small groups, models lessons for the teaching staff and mentors other teachers. Cross also serves as the school's student government coordinator.

Among Cross' recent work with the student government was organizing a student government inauguration

"She always goes above and beyond, and she sees the whole child," Spruell said of Cross.

Cross shared the stage at Tuesday's announcement with her former teacher — Suitland High School English teacher Fran Green — who was a finalist for the award.

Green, who has taught at Suitland for 32 years, said when she taught Cross 10th-grade English she was attentive, respectful and kind.

"There's no greater reward for a teacher than to see her students blossom," Green said.

Nominees were required to answer written questions on their thoughts on the teaching profession and other topics in order to be considered for the award. Cross will represent the county to be considered for Maryland Teacher of the Year.

Two Maryland Teachers of the Year have come from Prince George's County: William Thomas in 2008 and Rosemarie McConaughey in 1990.

E-mail Megan King at mking@gazette.net.

A total of 20 teachers from around Prince George's County were nominated for county Teacher of the Year. Ebony Love Cross, a reading specialist at Valley View Elementary School in Oxon Hill, won the award. Below is the list of nominees.

-TuMisha Alao* (Fairmont Heights High in Capitol Heights)

-Mary Beth Bauernschub* (Rockledge Elementary in Bowie)

-Jessica Beamon* (Rockledge Elementary)

-Robin Coley-Cobb (John Carroll Elementary in Landover)

-Sharon Dudley (Rogers Heights Elementary in Bladensburg)

-Douglas Gaither (John Carroll Elementary)

-Dorette Gamble-Bennett (Magnolia Elementary in Lanham)

-Dianne Givens* (William W. Hall Elementary in Capitol Heights)

-Fran Green* (Suitland High)

-Paul Hatton* (Thomas G. Pullen K-8 Creative and Performing Arts School in Landover)

-Bridgette Johnson (Magnolia Elementary)

-Joan Lewis (Riverdale Elementary)

-Cindy McCormick (Magnolia Elementary)

-Delia McKenzie (Woodridge Elementary in Hyattsville)

-Susan McKinley (Mount Rainier Elementary)

-Nancy Meyers (Carole Highlands Elementary in Takoma Park)

-Keith Miles Jr. (Oxon Hill High)

-Fran Regis* (Deerfield Run Elementary in Laurel)

-Anna Marie Tomassoni (John Hanson Montessori in Oxon Hill)

*Award finalist

Source: Prince George's County Public Schools