Teacher of the Year Nominations Due Nov. 25
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is accepting nominations for The Washington Post and Maryland Teacher of the Year awards programs. Nominated teachers will be considered as honorees in either one or the other awards program. Additionally, all schools and centers should submit one teacher nominee annually. The deadline for nominations is 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Nomination criteria include a minimum of five complete years of teaching and full-time classroom experience in prekindergarten through Grade 12. Nominees must also commit to maintaining their teaching position with CCPS for the 2026–2027 school year.
Criteria also include demonstration by the teacher of the following:
- Instills in students a desire to learn and achieve.
- Understands the individual needs of students, encourages their talents and fosters their self-esteem.
- Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students.
- Fosters cooperative relationships with colleagues, students and the community.
- Demonstrates outstanding leadership.
Nominations are submitted by school principals to CCPS staff who oversee the awards programs. Anyone interested in suggesting a teacher for nomination should contact the school in which the teacher works.
Nominees who have received either The Washington Post teacher finalist award or were named Charles County Teacher of the Year in the past three years are not eligible.
One CCPS teacher will be selected from the pool of nominees by a committee of school system staff to represent Charles County as the Charles County Teacher of the Year and finalist for the Maryland Teacher of the Year award. The announcement will be made by CCPS in Spring 2026.
Additional information about the nomination process and required forms is posted on the MyCCPS staff section of www.ccboe.com.
All nominations, photos and scanned letters of support are due electronically to cehill@ccboe.com no later than 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Principal of the Year Nominations Due Nov. 25
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is seeking nominees for its annual Principal of the Year award. The award honors exemplary leaders for not only their leadership but also their commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment for students. The principal chosen for the honor will also represent CCPS as the county finalist for The Washington Post Principal of the Year award.
Each year, The Post selects an overall award recipient for its Principal of the Year award from among finalists in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Principals can be nominated by staff, students, parents, colleagues or community members but are not eligible if they have received the honor in the past.
Nominee criteria include at least two years of experience as a principal—one of which must be with CCPS—and a commitment to maintain their position as a principal with the school system for the 2026–2027 school year.
Nominated principals must meet the following criteria:
- Manage effectively.
- Demonstrate and encourage creativity and innovation.
- Foster cooperation between the school and community.
- Maintain a dialogue with students, parents and staff.
- Stay current on developments in the education field.
- Encourage team spirit and collaboration.
- Demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment.
- Continue to play an active role in the classroom.
Nomination materials must be submitted electronically and should include a nominee career summary, 200-word biography, minimum of four statements of support, descriptions of contributions in each criteria area and a headshot photograph.
For more details about the nomination process, click here. The deadline for submission of nominations is 2 p.m., Nov. 25. Materials should be sent by email to Charvonne Hill at cehill@ccboe.com. Call 301-934-7392 or 301-934-7237 with questions.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 39 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high-quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610 / 301-870-3814. For special accommodations, call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).