SOUTHERN MARYLAND — The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is accepting nominations for its Outstanding Teachers Awards, a program that honors educators who excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Nomination packets must be submitted by Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, and teachers specializing in CTE/STEM instruction are also eligible.
Each selected educator will receive a commemorative plaque and a $500 cash award. SMECO collaborates with public school systems in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties to identify teachers whose work strengthens STEM learning and prepares students for careers in technology-driven fields.
SMECO has honored nearly 500 teachers since launching the program more than three decades ago.
2025 Honorees
SMECO recognized 20 educators across Southern Maryland—eight math teachers, nine science teachers and three CTE-STEM instructors. Teachers were selected for creativity, enthusiasm, professionalism and their ability to engage students in STEM learning.
St. Mary’s County:
Margaret Finn, Leonardtown High School; Mary Macauley, Leonardtown Middle School; Heather McLearen, Chesapeake Public Charter School; Emily Meny, Chesapeake Public Charter School; Kimberly Reynolds, Leonardtown High School; Robin Solomon, Leonardtown High School; Donna Waldron, Esperanza Middle School.
Calvert County:
Barbara Broussard, St. Leonard Elementary School; Bonnie Brown, Patuxent High School; Kelly Cannon, Mount Harmony Elementary School; Tiffany Hance, Huntingtown High School; Amanda Price, Northern Middle School; Sarah Smigielski, Huntingtown High School; Karin Stewart, Calvert Middle School; Kimberly Surratt, Windy Hill Middle School.
Charles County:
Delacy Craig, Westlake High School; Jennifer Decker, Westlake High School; Marissa Ellis, Dr. James Craik Elementary School; Hector Telford, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School; Sarah Wustner, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School.
More information, including nomination forms, is available at smeco.coop/teachers.
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.
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