HUGHESVILLE, Md. – Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) worked with the school systems of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties to select and honor 23 educators with Outstanding Teacher awards for leadership in the fields of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering.
Receiving awards this year were nine math teachers, nine science teachers, and five CTE-STEM (career technical education, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teachers from schools in four counties. The teachers were chosen for their outstanding performance in the areas of creativity, rapport with students, enthusiasm for teaching, professionalism, and innovative teaching methods. Each teacher receives a plaque and a cash award.
“SMECO has a long-standing tradition of celebrating excellence in education. Over the past 30 years, we have recognized almost 500 exceptional educators, and tonight, we proudly add 23 more outstanding teachers to this prestigious list,” said Sonja Cox, SMECO’s President and CEO, at the award presentation. “Each of our honorees tonight embodies the highest standards of classroom excellence, leadership, and dedication. Beyond academic instruction, they inspire character, creativity, and resilience, ensuring that Southern Maryland students are well-equipped to take on the challenges and opportunities of the future. The impact of their work extends beyond the classroom—it strengthens our economy, workforce, and community. To our honorees, congratulations! Your unwavering commitment to education makes a profound difference and tonight’s recognition is well deserved.”
Along with the Outstanding Teachers awards, SMECO works with local school systems to sponsor other educational programs. They include 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.
SMECO’s Outstanding Mathematics, Science, and CTE-STEM Teachers of the Year are listed below.
Calvert County
Jessica Bright, Northern High School, Science
Amy Harris, Windy Hill Middle School, Science
Meagan Jeffries, Sunderland Elementary School, CTE-STEM
Ashley Knight, Patuxent High School, Mathematics
Laurel Newcomer, Plum Point Middle School, Mathematics
Mickey Norfolk, Northern High School, CTE-STEM
Sherri Welcher-Brown, Mount Harmony Elementary School, Science
Tammy Galensky Wright, Windy Hill Elementary School, Mathematics
Charles County
Rachel Clark, La Plata High School, Science
Stefanie Marcuse, Arthur Middleton Elementary School, CTE-STEM
Jennifer Norris, Theodore Davis Middle School, Science
Pauline Shaker, Mary B. Neal Elementary School, Mathematics
Deborah Spencer, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Mathematics
Kristi Tewell, Billingsley Elementary School, Science
Prince George’s County
Michelle Wickliffe, Brandywine Elementary School, Mathematics
St. Mary’s County
Michelle Atwell, Spring Ridge Middle School, Mathematics
Graham Coombs, Leonardtown High School, Mathematics
Staci Eccleston, Leonardtown Elementary School, Science
Keri Gray, Leonardtown Middle School, Science
Christie Grebos, Leonardtown High School, CTE-STEM
Lisa Haycraft, Chopticon High School, Science
Carol Poole, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Mathematics
Stephen Westgate, Esperanza Middle School, CTE-STEM
SMECO – The Cooperative Difference
SMECO was incorporated in 1937 and is one of the 15 largest electric cooperatives in the United States with more than 178,000 member services in Charles County, St. Mary’s County, southern Prince George’s County, and most of Calvert County.
Electric cooperatives are shaped by the communities they serve, because cooperatives are owned by their customers. Cooperative members elect the men and women who serve on the Board of Directors. Members share the responsibility of ownership by financing the cooperative’s operations, but they also share its rewards.
At the end of each year, SMECO’s margins (profits) are allocated to members’ capital credit accounts. SMECO uses its profits to invest in new construction, system improvements, and facility upgrades. The Board of Directors regularly evaluates the financial condition of the cooperative and determines when members will receive a refund. Since 1937, SMECO has refunded more than $128 million.
As a cooperative, SMECO will always put its members first and be responsive, reliable, and resourceful—the power you can count on.
Follow SMECO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SMECO.coop and on X at www.x.com/somdelectric.
The SMECO 24/7 mobile app is available at www.smeco.coop/247.