James Mundy has taught an average of 150 Howard County students a year for more than 15 years, but each year brings a difference: new students, new challenges.

"Every year, the game's the same, but the players are different. If we want these kids to win at the game of life, we have to focus on that," Mundy said.

The foundation of personal success, he says, lies in the development of individuality and self-confidence. That's why Mundy's teachingmethods stress "getting beyond what looks obvious on the surface, sokids can learn to make intelligent academic decisions about the things that will affect their futures."

Creating an atmosphere that encourages students to do just that is one of the reasons Mundy was picked "outstanding teacher of the year" by Glenelg High School's seniors this year. This is the second year in a row that a senior class hasnamed him as the teacher who most influenced them.

Seniors at each of the county's high schools make their selection every spring.

Senior Trey Miller was in Mundy's political science class two years ago and considers him one of the best teachers he's ever had, largelybecause Mundy prodded him to work hard.

"He's the type of teacherwho doesn't sit back and let people slide by. Nobody slips through the cracks," said Miller -- who admitted he was the type of student who might not have worked up to his potential. "But Mr. Mundy noticed that about me and worked on me until he was satisfied I was doing my best."

Glenelg principal James McGregor has high praise for Mundy: "I've known Jim for three years now, and I think he's an excellent teacher. He gets students to take part, really encourages them to thinkand make decisions on their own. When they leave his classroom, students know their subject matter."

"Political science provides students an opportunity to develop a stream of consciousness," Mundy said."They're able to learn which perceptions about life are useful to them; which matter and which don't. Because, if we're going to influence kids, we'd better influence them to be thinkers, to be leaders instead of followers."

He stresses that "questions need to be asked ofthese students, and they need to have an opportunity to express ideas -- not their parents', teachers' or peer's ideas -- but their own, unique ideas."

At 39, he's taught high school since 1974, when he arrived at Howard High. He took the helm of the teacher's union in 1981, then moved to Glenelg in 1983.

Generally, the Ellicott City resident said, he's not much on awards. But being singled out by his students is "a great honor. These kids have no agendas. This award comes straight from their hearts, and that really means something to me."

To the students who have so honored him, he offers this advice, culled from a piece of paper stuffed in his desk drawer:

"I only wish I knew who said this because it's the best advice I've ever heard:'I cannot believe the only purpose in life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful. To be responsible. To stand for something. To have made some difference that you lived at all.' "

Other Howard County teachers who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award are:

Jim Wright at Atholton: "There are all kinds ofawards out there, but this is the kind that really counts," says thesocial studies teacher. "The only thing that means more to me is hearing 'I love you, Daddy.' "

Teachers, the 40-year-old Wright says,owe it to their students "to genuinely like kids. It's what preventsus from ever embarrassing them, being insensitive or diminishing their egos."

A Howard County teacher since 1964, Wright is the son of"hard-working, lower middle-class parents" who showed interest in his education and emphasized its importance. He credits his parents forhelping him choose his career path. "Good parents oversee. They don't pressure or threaten. Their love is unconditional." Basically, Wright feels, parents need to remain "inflexibly flexible."

Bruce Smith at Centennial: Smith, a history teacher who has been in the classroom since 1971, says most of his students are ideal.

"Anyone who wants to learn for the sake of knowing, and who isn't afraid to stand up for their values -- regardless of what others think -- has my respect," he says.

Smith, 42, enjoys teaching high school because "students enjoy open debate by this age. History appeals to them more, since they're better able to relate to the concerns and goings-on in their world."

Being able to "see tears that might be brewing under a student's outwardly happy facade is what makes teachers really able to relate to kids," he says. "You can motivate them by making them think; you can relax them by making them laugh." As important as history, math and language, he says, "being open to what's going on inside our students is what enables us to really reach them. We can't afford to lose a single one."

Zeleana Morris at Hammond: An English teacher since 1977 who says "I never tell anyone my age," Morris initiallyswitched from teaching middle school to high school to "see what thehigh school level would be like." She found the students in grades 9-12 "taller, but still kids."

She says she picked a teaching career in "seventh grade, when my English teacher, Mrs. Mary West, made educating youngsters seem so fun and rewarding."

Students who try their hardest, even if they don't score top grades, are Morris's favorites. She admires parents who care about their children's studies, andshe notes that "you don't have to be front and center at every PTA meeting to be a good parent. Being there -- at home for your kids --supporting and encouraging them to do their best is what makes a good parent."

Charles Levie at Howard: Since 1973, Levie has been helping educate math students. "There's nothing outstanding or special about me or my background," says the 43-year-old Baltimore native. "I'm ateacher because I like kids; that's all there is to it. If I can continue to motivate myself, I'll be able to motivate my students. Afterthat, the rest is easy."

Levie feels there's no such thing as a perfect student. "That's what makes teaching enjoyable. Each student comes with his or her own unique ideas, needs and problems. That's what makes each one so great."

Levie tries to impress upon students that "they must realize their education will never be over. I'd say tothem, 'Treat each and every day as another day of school, no matter what you do or where you go, because knowledge is success.' "

Frank Aiello at Mount Hebron: A teaching career was Aiello's dream: "I'vebeen interested in teaching since the 10th grade. I've never wanted to do anything else."

The 44-year-old math teacher, heading classrooms since 1969, says teachers have a grand opportunity "to contribute to the future through today's students. Our actions (as teachers) today can make a big difference tomorrow."

He believes teachers should be firm but fair: "Do the right thing by your students, and they'll know it. And it's our responsibility, as teachers, to view education as the most important thing in life. If we view learning with thatattitude, so will our students."

This season, he's advising seniors to "go home and thank your parents. Give 'em a big hug for all they've done to make so many things possible for you."

Robert Siskindat Oakland Mills: A 42-year-old who has been teaching science for nearly two decades, Siskind started by teaching middle school but movedinto the upper grades because "working with high school students is much more of a challenge."

Teachers, Siskind says, are obligated "to provide more than what the curriculum guide dictates. Sure, we're supposed to be role models. But kids come to us with more than homework problems. It's our duty to recognize that and make time in our schedules to help them solve those problems."

Teaching by example, hesays, is important for parents as well as teachers. But so is allowing adolescents to make their own mistakes, he adds.

"And above all, remember that love and approval should never be tied in with their successes or failures in school, because there is absolutely no correlation between great grades and a great human being."

Lewis Dutrowof Wilde Lake: "My goal is to help my students become better musicians," says the 33-year-old music teacher. "If they leave here knowing more about music than I did at their age, I've done a good job."

Being chosen for this award was a shock, admits Dutrow, who has been teaching since 1979.

"I've been teaching the same way for years, and I deal with a smaller number of students in a completely different capacity than other teachers. But I'm very honored they chose me."

"From here on out," he tells graduating students, "you're calling the shots. You'll pay for the choices you make, so make life easy on yourself, and call the right ones."