FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n
MEDIA CONTACT: BALTIMORE (September 26, 2025) <\/strong>\u2013 Today, <\/span>ALonna Soward-Puryear<\/span><\/a>, a fourth-grade teacher at Monocacy Elementary School in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS), was named the 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year.<\/span><\/p>\n Soward-Puryear was selected among seven finalists for the award, announced Friday at the 35th Annual Teacher of the Year Gala. This marks the first time in 15 years that a FCPS educator has received Maryland Teacher of the Year honors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cALonna Soward-Puryear exemplifies the transformative power of education,\u201d said <\/span>Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools<\/b>. \u201cHer leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to student success make her a beacon of excellence in Maryland\u2019s classrooms. We are proud to have her represent our state.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOn behalf of the State Board of Education, I extend heartfelt congratulations to ALonna Soward-Puryear,\u201d said <\/span>Dr. Joshua L. Michael, State Board of Education President<\/b>. \u201cHer dedication to fostering academic growth and supporting both students and educators is truly inspiring. We look forward to her continued impact as a leader and advocate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Soward-Puryear <\/span>mentors novice educators and actively contributes to the School Improvement Team, STEM Team, and Systemic Blueprint Team. She has served as coordinator for summer programs designed to support prekindergarten\/kindergarten readiness, and address pandemic-related learning loss. Soward-Puryear is a participant in the district\u2019s Vanguard teacher leadership program.<\/span><\/p>\n She will compete for the National Teacher of the Year award in the spring and spend the upcoming year as a speaker and advisor, participating in meetings and events hosted by the National Teacher of the Year Program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2011, FCPS chemistry teacher Michelle Shearer went on to become <\/span>National Teacher of the Year<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Maryland Teacher of the Year finalists<\/span><\/a> included Jacqueline Sanderson (Anne Arundel County), Jevons Liu (Baltimore City), Natalie Pretzello (Howard County), Marcie Mamas (Queen Anne\u2019s County), Emma Cohn Matthews (Wicomico County), and Phillip Cropper (Worcester County).<\/span><\/p>\n Selected by a panel representing principals, educators, students, and families, all finalists were evaluated on student achievement, teaching philosophy, community involvement, and knowledge of education issues.<\/span><\/p>\n The annual Teacher of the Year Gala was held at Valley Mansion by Martin\u2019s in Hunt Valley. Presenting sponsors of the Maryland Teacher of the Year Program are McDonald\u2019s Family Restaurants of Baltimore and Northrop Grumman Corporation. Platinum sponsors are Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, Maryland Public Television, and Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. Gold sponsors are Baltimore Sun Media Group, Baltimore Orioles, Maryland State Education Association, and WJZ-TV\/CBS Baltimore.<\/span><\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raven Hill, 410-767-0486
raven.hill@maryland.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nFrederick County Public Schools Educator Named 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nMEDIA CONTACT:Raven Hill, 410-767-0486raven.hill@maryland.gov<\/a><\/p>\n