St. Mary’s County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. J. Scott Smith has announced the 2026 honorees for the district’s highest employee recognition awards, spotlighting the dedication of teachers, principals, support staff and administrators who shape student success every day.
The announcements come during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, as the school system celebrates the contributions of all employees who serve more than 20,000 students across 30 schools in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.
Dominic Carnobas, a Special Education Paraeducator at Hollywood Elementary School, and Wesley McGregor, Project Coordinator II in the Department of Information Technology at the Division of Supporting Services, have been named the Educational Support Professionals of the Year. The award, established in 2009, recognizes the vital behind-the-scenes work that creates a positive learning environment. Carnobas has served SMCPS for four years; McGregor for ten.
Kinnon Williams, Welding Teacher at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, was selected as St. Mary’s County’s representative for the Maryland Teacher of the Year program. Williams has been with SMCPS for twelve years and holds certifications from New River Community College and Rappahannock Community College. He will compete against educators from across the state.
Dorothy Nelson, an 8th-grade mathematics teacher at Spring Ridge Middle School, was chosen as the district’s representative for the Washington Post Teacher of the Year program. Nelson has served SMCPS for seventeen years and holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Salisbury State University. She will compete against teachers from public and private schools in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
Julia Steele, principal of White Marsh Elementary School, was selected as the district’s representative for the Washington Post Principal of the Year program. Steele has been with SMCPS for thirty-two years, the last nine as principal at White Marsh. She holds a master’s degree in elementary education and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Towson University.
Bridget Dunbar, Supervisor of Secondary Mathematics in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, received the Leader of Excellence award. Established in 2018, the award honors administrative and supervisory staff who foster strong school-community partnerships. Dunbar has served SMCPS for nineteen years, the last nine in her current role. She holds a master’s degree in secondary math education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
All honorees, along with other nominees for Educational Support Professional of the Year and Outstanding Educator awards, will be recognized at the district’s Staff Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, June 2.
Dr. Smith praised the group for their commitment to students. “Every employee makes an important contribution to the success of our students,” he said. The awards highlight the essential roles played by classroom teachers, support staff, principals and central-office leaders in one of Southern Maryland’s largest school systems.
A complete list of all school and site nominees is available on the SMCPS Human Resources website.
