LA PLATA, Md. – Kate Kozicki-Miller, a longtime English teacher at La Plata High School, received a welcome surprise this week as she was named the 2026 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) nominee for The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year awards program. Kozicki-Miller was surprised with the news earlier this week while teaching.
She knew from a young age that she wanted to teach and help shape others. While in elementary school, Kozicki-Miller was asked to help tutor other students. This ignited her passion to help others and is a passion that is evident in her classroom today.
She prioritizes a positive classroom environment to ensure her students feel seen, validated and capable. Kozicki-Miller takes pride in providing fun and engaging lessons for her students and looks forward to working with new students each school year. “It is my goal to ensure that my classroom is inviting and a stimulating space with lessons that are engaging and rigorous,” Kozicki-Miller said.
She helps students understand course content in engaging and creative ways. “I was excited about learning and improving skills in a subject I once dreaded,” Maximus Meiser, La Plata High School senior, said about being in Kozicki-Miller’s class. “Through her infectious positivity, Mrs. Kozicki made it enjoyable to work through assignments in her course load; she never hesitated to challenge us, creating a positive, yet constructive environment.”
Her journey to teaching with CCPS started with a foundation in Michigan where she shadowed a middle school class while earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Michigan State University. That experience led her to pursue an accelerated, post graduate degree in education so she could become certified to teach.
Kozicki-Miller moved to Charles County in 2008 to teach English/language arts at Theodore G. Davis Middle School. She also taught at Milton M. Somers Middle School before transitioning to teach at the high-school level. She joined the teaching team at La Plata in 2010 and quickly became a valued staff member. “I rely on Kate’s positivity, professionalism and expertise,” Brooke Shnipes, La Plata English teacher, said.
Her leadership at La Plata includes her role as a National Honor Society selection committee member, an ANCHOR veteran teacher mentor and Student Government Association (SGA) co-sponsor. In the role of SGA sponsor, Kozicki-Miller coordinates an annual tradition of partnering with other schools to provide holiday gifts to families in need.
“She partners with the principals and PPWs of our feeder elementary schools to provide Christmas gifts to their student populations in need,” Shnipes said. “She constantly strives to find ways to grow and improve as an educator and leader; she does so without seeking recognition for her efforts. Beyond her classroom instruction she is a leader that goes above and beyond for the school.”
Kozicki-Miller’s positive attitude has improved the academic experience of students. “What truly sets Ms. Kozicki-Miller apart is her ability to connect with students on a personal level,” Jaime Bowie, La Plata assistant principal, said. “She not only teaches English but instills confidence, resilience and a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom walls.”
Parents also share the same sentiments. “When my son was in Mrs. Kozicki-Miller’s class, she helped build his confidence in writing and made him feel valued every single day,” Kara Higdon, parent of a former La Plata student, said.
Kozicki-Miller’s classroom is a place where students can be themselves, learn and grow. “She ran and continues to run her classroom in a way where everyone’s opinions are welcome and wants to make sure every student feels included,” Meiser said. Students walk into her classroom, not feeling confident about the subject, and leave with an understanding of the content. “She sees strengths where others might see struggles, and she invests the time to nurture confidence and resilience,” La Plata Principal Douglass Dolan said.
Kozicki-Miller teaches grade-level, Advanced Placement (AP) and honors English courses, and ensures all students have the same learning expectations and positive learning experiences. Her students thrive on classroom assignments and projects, receive high scores on state tests, and perform well on AP exams.
Her impact on La Plata’s students goes beyond test scores and accolades, Dolan said. “It is measured in the gratitude of students who say, ‘She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,’” Dolan said. “It is seen in the respect of colleagues who turn to her for insight and inspiration. It is felt in the culture of excellence and cares that she helps sustain every day.”
Teacher of the Year program
Each year, CCPS honors outstanding teachers in its Teacher of the Year awards program, with each school and center nominating a teacher who positively contributes to the school system and demonstrates a passion for education. One of the nominees is chosen to represent the school system as the CCPS finalist for The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year award.
The Washington Post finalist from CCPS represents the school system in the overall awards program in which one teacher from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is named the newspaper’s teacher of the year. CCPS anticipates the Post to announce its Teacher of the Year this month. To read more about the CCPS Teacher of the Year finalists and nominees visit https://bit.ly/4sNVaXG.
Kozicki-Miller will be honored by the Board of Education of Charles County at its June 9 Board meeting.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 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, please 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).
Pictured from left to right: Kevin Lowndes, CCPS chief of teaching and learning; Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D.; Kate Kozicki-Miller, English teacher at La Plata High School; Douglass Dolan, principal at La Plata; Jamie Bowie, assistant principal at La Plata.
Cutline for photo: Kate Kozicki-Miller, a longtime English teacher at La Plata High School, received a welcome surprise this week from Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., CCPS and school staff as she was named the 2026 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) nominee for The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year awards program.