Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has recognized 23 outstanding educators from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties for excellence in mathematics, science and career-technical education in STEM fields.
The annual awards program, now in its 31st year, honors teachers who demonstrate creativity, strong student rapport, enthusiasm, professionalism and innovative teaching methods. This year’s recipients include eight mathematics teachers, eight science teachers and seven CTE-STEM teachers. Each honoree receives a plaque and a cash award.
SMECO serves more than 170,000 homes and businesses across the three counties and has invested heavily in education to support the region’s economy. Southern Maryland is home to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, one of the nation’s largest employers, as well as growing sectors in renewable energy, engineering and advanced manufacturing. Strong STEM education helps prepare local students for these high-demand careers.
“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.”
SMECO partners with the three county school systems to select winners. The cooperative also sponsors additional educational initiatives including the MATHCOUNTS competition for middle school students, the Elementary Mathematics Challenge, scholarship awards for high school seniors and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
Calvert County recipients • 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
From left, Gillian Baird, Plum Point Elementary School; Kimberly Libby, Mill Creek Middle School; and John Urban, Calvert High School.
From left, Christian Wood, Huntingtown Elementary School; Cassidy Miller, Southern Middle School; and Jami Straub, Northern High School.
From left, Shelby Harrington, Calvert Middle School and Dr. Marshall Pike, Huntingtown High School.
Charles County recipients • 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
From left, Nicholas Behning, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School and Adebukunola Isaacs, Thomas Stone High School.
From left, Taylor Nissen, Theodore Davis Middle School and Allisa Queen, Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
From left, Kelly Bruce, Arthur Middleton Elementary School; Aerika Doublin, North Point High School; and Caitlin Timko, Piccowaxen Middle School.
St. Mary’s County recipients • 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, Kristen Haley, Father Andrew White School; Lindsey Massie, Leonardtown High School; and Daniel Mixson, Chesapeake Public Charter School.
From left, Christina Dowe, Chesapeake Public Charter School; Taren Long, Chesapeake Public Charter School; and Lindsey Hubbell, Great Mills High School.
From left, Joshua Garrison, Leonardtown High School and Susan Kopicko, Leonardtown Middle School.
The awards highlight the vital role teachers play in building the skilled workforce needed for Southern Maryland’s future.
