Special Education teacher Patrick Howe was surprised when he learned he was named Bowie Top Dawg Teacher for the month of October.

Howe, who’s been teaching at Bowie for three years, was in his classroom when the announcement was made.

“I like to try to keep kind of a low profile here in school,” Howe said. “So I was kind of laughing when I got [Top Dawg Teacher] and they called my name over the loudspeaker. It’s a nice thing to be recognized by your peers and it’s been fun having the bulldog outside my door.”

The Top Dawg Teacher award is given out every month to teachers who work above and beyond. The award is decided based off of nominations that teachers submit every month.

“[Mr. Robinson] gets all of the nominations and any time somebody gets nominated for Top Dawg for the very first time, there’s a certificate we create and it has a description of what the people said about them in the nomination,” School Improvement Facilitator Ruth Ann Widner said.

In addition to the recognition from teachers, Howe’s students think he is helpful and appreciate his assistance in classes.

“He comes around to each individual student and helps you as much as he can with whatever you’re doing,” junior Eric Larson said. “He always makes sure that you’re getting your work done, you’re on top of everything, [and] he checks your grades. I just think he’s a great teacher. He deserves this award because he knows what he’s doing and I really appreciate him as a teacher.”

Several of Howe’s students said they enjoy how he jokes around in class, is a fun teacher, and how open and friendly he is toward them.

“I like to keep my environment fairly light,” Howe said. “I like to joke around with students. I definitely don’t think I’m characterized as a disciplinarian. That being said I think everybody who comes into my room respects everybody, they can kind of be themselves there. I like to think the kids are comfortable just being themselves in there.”

Howe teaches classes like Basic Study Skills, where students can work on assignments from any class.

“My class is very different than most typical classes,” Howe said. “I have students working on all different subjects at all times in my class. I can go from helping someone with Algebra at one second to someone who is doing AP Economics in another second. That alone is a little different, just being flexible.”

Senior Bailey Potter believes Howe pushes students to do their best work.

“He tells us about how when he was younger he would turn in things late and wasn’t the best students so he wants to give to other students and make sure they do as much as they can to excel in high school,” Potter said.

Some of the criteria for the award is the teacher should be dedicated to students, be willing to take on challenges, and strive for student success.

“Very few know him,” an anonymous teacher wrote on Howe’s nomination form. “Very few work with him. Very few even know what he does. He should be known because he is a valuable member of our Bowie faculty. Patrick Howe provides so many services to the students, helps the teachers help the students, and is the ultimate example of an educator: does a phenomenal job without seeking a reward.”