Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has recognized twenty local educators with Outstanding Teacher awards for their exemplary contributions to mathematics, science, technology, and engineering education. The awards ceremony, part of a longstanding collaboration with the school systems of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties, highlights the achievements of these educators in fostering advanced skills in these critical fields.
The recipients included eight math teachers, nine science teachers, and three teachers from the fields of career technical education (CTE) combined with STEM disciplines. Each teacher was honored for their creativity, student rapport, teaching enthusiasm, professionalism, and innovative teaching methods. As part of the recognition, the teachers received a plaque and a cash award, symbolizing SMECO’s commitment to educational excellence in Southern Maryland.
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. Credit: SMECO
From left are Robin Solomon, Leonardtown High School; Emily Meny, Chesapeake Public Charter School; and Mary Macauley, Leonardtown Middle School. Credit: SMECO
From left are Heather McLearen, Chesapeake Public Charter School; Kimberly Reynolds, Leonardtown High School; and Donna Waldron, Esperanza Middle School. Credit: SMECO
From left are Delacy Craig, Westlake High School; Hector Telford, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School; and Sarah Wustner, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School. Credit: SMECO
From left are Marissa Ellis, Dr. James Craik Elementary School; and Jennifer Decker, Westlake High School. Credit: SMECO
From left are Tiffany Hance, Huntingtown High School; Barbara Broussard, St. Leonard Elementary School; and Amanda Price, Northern Middle School. Credit: SMECO
From left are Kelly Cannon, Mount Harmony Elementary School; Kimberly Surratt, Windy Hill Middle School; and Sara Smigielski, Huntingtown High School. Credit: SMECO
Sonja Cox, SMECO’s president and CEO, expressed her appreciation during the awards presentation, noting the importance of STEM education for the community’s future. “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 Cox. She emphasized the demand for STEM skills across many industries, including at SMECO, and acknowledged the educators’ role in preparing students with essential skills for modern workplaces, such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Over the past 33 years, SMECO has recognized nearly 500 teachers, underscoring its ongoing support for educational initiatives that bring real-world science and math applications into the classroom. The list of this year’s awardees from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties reflects a diverse group of skilled educators who have demonstrated exceptional ability to engage and inspire their students.
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
In addition to the Outstanding Teachers awards, SMECO partners with local schools to sponsor various educational programs. These initiatives include the MATHCOUNTS competition for middle school students, the annual Elementary Mathematics Challenge, and scholarship awards for high school seniors in Southern Maryland. Furthermore, SMECO facilitates educational trips to Washington, D.C., for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour, providing students with broader educational experiences beyond the classroom.
The dedication of these educators and their partnership with SMECO play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers, ensuring that Southern Maryland remains at the forefront of STEM education and preparedness for the challenges of the modern workforce.
