SMECO recognizes outstanding teachers

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative 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 and science, technology, engineering and mathematics) teachers.

Teachers were chosen for their outstanding performance in the areas of creativity, rapport with students, enthusiasm for teaching, professionalism, and innovative teaching methods.

“We’re committed to a well-educated Southern Maryland community and we know that starts with you, the individuals in front of our classrooms,” SMECO President and CEO Sonja Cox said at the presentation and later in a news release. “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.”

The following teachers were recognized by SMECO:

Mathematics — Kelly Cannon (Mount Harmony Elementary), Delacy Craig (Westlake High), Jennifer Decker (Westlake High), Marissa Ellis (Dr. James Craik Elementary), Heather McLearen (Chesapeake Public Charter School), Kimberly Reynolds (Leonardtown High), Sarah Smigielski (Huntingtown High), Kimberly Surratt (Windy Hill Middle), Donna Waldron (Esperanza Middle).

Science — Barbara Broussard (St. Leonard Elementary), Tiffany Hance (Huntingtown High), Mary Macauley (Leonardtown Middle), Emily Meny (Chesapeake Public Charter School), Amanda Price (Northern Middle), Robin Solomon (Leonardtown High), Hector Telford (Benjamin Stoddert Middle), Sarah Wustner (Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary).

CTE-STEM — Bonnie Brown (Patuxent High), Margaret Finn (Leonardtown High), Karin Stewart (Calvert Middle).

Each teacher receives a plaque and a cash award.

SMECO has recognized almost 500 local math and science teachers over the past 33 years.

Along with the Outstanding Teachers awards, SMECO works with local school systems to sponsor other educational programs such as 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.