Math, 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 20 educators with Outstanding Teacher awards for leadership in the fields of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering.
Receiving awards this year were eight math teachers, nine science teachers, and three 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. In 33 years, SMECO has recognized almost 500 local math and science teachers.
“We’re committed to a well-educated Southern Maryland community and we know that starts with you, the individuals in front of our classrooms,” said Sonja Cox, SMECO’s president and CEO, at the awards presentation. “As an educator, you know that STEM skills are coveted by many businesses, including SMECO. Students who graduate with mathematics, science, and technology skills are vital to the success of our modern workplaces. You play a crucial role in nurturing the next wave of innovators by not only teaching science and math, but by developing essential soft skills that so many people need—skills like communication, problem solving, and critical thinking.”
SMECO’s Outstanding Mathematics, Science, and CTE-STEM Teachers of the Year are listed below.
Calvert County
- Barbara Broussard, St. Leonard Elementary School, Science
- Bonnie Brown, Patuxent High School, CTE-STEM
- Kelly Cannon, Mount Harmony Elementary School, Mathematics
- Tiffany Hance, Huntingtown High School, Science
- Amanda Price, Northern Middle School, Science
- Sarah Smigielski, Huntingtown High School, Mathematics
- Karin Stewart, Calvert Middle School, CTE-STEM
- Kimberly Surratt, Windy Hill Middle School, Mathematics
Charles County
- Delacy Craig, Westlake High School, Science
- Jennifer Decker, Westlake High School, Mathematics
- Marissa Ellis, Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Mathematics
- Hector Telford, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Science
- Sarah Wustner, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School, Science
St. Mary’s County
- Margaret Finn, Leonardtown High School, CTE-STEM
- Mary Macauley, Leonardtown Middle School, Science
- Heather McLearen, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Mathematics
- Emily Meny, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Science
- Kimberly Reynolds, Leonardtown High School, Mathematics
- Robin Solomon, Leonardtown High School, Science
- Donna Waldron, Esperanza Middle School, Mathematics
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.
From left are Kelly Cannon, Mount Harmony Elementary School; Kimberly Surratt, Windy Hill Middle School; and Sara Smigielski, Huntingtown High School.
From left are Tiffany Hance, Huntingtown High School; Barbara Broussard, St. Leonard Elementary School; and Amanda Price, Northern Middle School.
From left are Marissa Ellis, Dr. James Craik Elementary School; and Jennifer Decker, Westlake High School.
From left are Delacy Craig, Westlake High School; Hector Telford, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School; and Sarah Wustner, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School.
From left are Heather McLearen, Chesapeake Public Charter School; Kimberly Reynolds, Leonardtown High School; and Donna Waldron, Esperanza Middle School.
From left are Robin Solomon, Leonardtown High School; Emily Meny, Chesapeake Public Charter School; and Mary Macauley, Leonardtown Middle School.
From left are Karin Stewart, Calvert Middle School, Calvert County; Bonnie Brown, Patuxent High School, Calvert County; and Margaret Finn, Leonardtown High School, St. Mary’s County.