Mathematics, Science, and CTE-STEM Educators Receive Awards
SMECO worked with the school systems of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties to select and honor 23 educators with Outstanding Teacher awards for leadership in the fields of mathematics, science, technology, and CTE-STEM.
Receiving awards this year were eight mathematics teachers, eight science teachers, and seven CTE-STEM (career technical education, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teachers from schools in three counties. The teachers were chosen for their outstanding performance in the areas of creativity, rapport with students, enthusiasm for teaching, professionalism, and innovative teaching methods. Each teacher receives a plaque and a cash award.
“SMECO is proud to continue this long-standing tradition of recognizing exceptional educators. For more than 30 years, we have honored more than 500 outstanding teachers across Southern Maryland, and tonight we add another remarkable group to that legacy,” said Tom Dennison, SMECO’s Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Communication. “In today’s rapidly evolving workforce, STEM skills are more critical than ever. Businesses, including SMECO, depend on graduates with strong foundations in mathematics, science, and technology to drive innovation and reliability. Equally important are the other essential skills that teachers cultivate: communication, collaboration, resilience, and critical thinking—skills that prepare students not only for careers, but for life. The work of these teachers has a profound and lasting impact on Southern Maryland. On behalf of SMECO, thank you for your service, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to education.”
Along with the Outstanding Teachers awards, SMECO works with local school systems to sponsor other educational programs. They include the MATHCOUNTS competition for middle school students, the annual Elementary Mathematics Challenge, and the scholarship awards for Southern Maryland high school seniors. SMECO also takes students to Washington, D.C., for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour.
SMECO’s Outstanding Mathematics, Science, and CTE-STEM Teachers of the Year are listed below.
Calvert County
- Gillian Baird, Plum Point Elementary School, Science
- Shelby Harrington, Calvert Middle School, CTE-STEM
- Kimberly Libby, Mill Creek Middle School, Science
- Cassidy Miller, Southern Middle School, Mathematics
- Dr. Marshall Pike, Huntingtown High School, CTE-STEM
- Jami Straub, Northern High School, Mathematics
- John Urban, Calvert High School, Science
- Christian Wood, Huntingtown Elementary School, Mathematics
Charles County
- Nicholas Behning, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Science
- Kelly Bruce, Arthur Middleton Elementary School, CTE-STEM
- Aerika Doublin, North Point High School, CTE-STEM
- Adebukunola Isaacs, Thomas Stone High School, Science
- Taylor Nissen, Theodore Davis Middle School, Mathematics
- Allisa Queen, Mary B. Neal Elementary School, Mathematics
- Caitlin Timko, Piccowaxen Middle School, CTE-STEM
St. Mary’s County
- Christina Dowe, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Mathematics
- Joshua Garrison, Leonardtown High School, CTE-STEM
- Kristen Haley, Father Andrew White School, Science
- Lindsey Hubbell, Great Mills High School, Mathematics
- Susan Kopicko, Leonardtown Middle School, CTE-STEM
- Taren Long, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Mathematics
- Lindsey Massie, Leonardtown High School, Science
- Daniel Mixson, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Science
From left, Shelby Harrington, Calvert Middle School and Dr. Marshall Pike, Huntingtown High School.
From left, Christian Wood, Huntingtown Elementary School; Cassidy Miller, Southern Middle School; and Jami Straub, Northern High School.
From left, Gillian Baird, Plum Point Elementary School; Kimberly Libby, Mill Creek Middle School; and John Urban, Calvert High School.
From left, Kelly Bruce, Arthur Middleton Elementary School; Aerika Doublin, North Point High School; and Caitlin Timko, Piccowaxen Middle School.
From left, Taylor Nissen, Theodore Davis Middle School and Allisa Queen, Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
From left, Nicholas Behning, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School and Adebukunola Isaacs, Thomas Stone High School.
From left, Joshua Garrison, Leonardtown High School and Susan Kopicko, Leonardtown Middle School.
From left, Christina Dowe, Chesapeake Public Charter School; Taren Long, Chesapeake Public Charter School; and Lindsey Hubbell, Great Mills High School.
From left, Kristen Haley, Father Andrew White School; Lindsey Massie, Leonardtown High School; and Daniel Mixson, Chesapeake Public Charter School.