Teacher Gerald Link’s ability to make "chemistry come alive," according to his students and colleagues at Northwest High School, was recognized this year through his selection as a recipient of the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award from The Washington Post.

Link is among 20 winners of the prestigious Agnes Meyer award, presented annually to one teacher from each Washington metropolitan area school district. The winners will be honored by the Post at an April 7 reception, and each winner will receive a financial award.

Link began his teaching career in 1967 as a science teacher at Jericho Junior High School in New York. He began teaching in Montgomery County Public Schools in 1971 at Cabin John Junior High School, followed by assignments at Thomas S. Wootton and Quince Orchard high schools.

Link has introduced a series of programs to the Northwest school community including chemistry nights for parents and students, and a brother/sister night in which students bring younger siblings to school and perform activities together. For many years, he's also taken chemistry students to a local elementary school for hands-on science activities. As well as serving as a mentor for many new teachers and an informal leader among school staff, he also has found time to coach cross country for 27 years and has coordinated cross country and track meets at Northwest High School for the past four years.

A former student of Link's and now a math teacher at Northwest High School, Stephanie Raden calls Link a role model for what a teacher can be. "When I began teaching, I found myself mimicking Mr. Link, planning lessons and teaching the way I had experienced in his class," Raden said. "Each day I find fun and exciting ways to teach math to my students. . . . “I have discussions with my students, similar to those I experienced with Mr. Link, and I talk with students about making choices. I try to get into their heads and be for them what Mr. Link was, and continues to be, for me."