Frederick County Teacher Named Maryland’s Top Educator for 2026

Frederick County Public Schools is celebrating a significant achievement as ALonna Soward-Puryear, a dedicated fourth-grade teacher at Monocacy Elementary School, has been named the 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year. This prestigious award was announced at the 35th Annual Teacher of the Year Gala, where Soward-Puryear was selected from a pool of seven finalists. This marks a notable moment for Frederick County Public Schools, as it is the first time in 15 years an educator from the district has received this top honor.

Soward-Puryear’s selection highlights her exceptional contributions to the field of education. She is recognized for her leadership and commitment to fostering student success. Her involvement extends beyond the classroom; she actively mentors new educators and plays a key role on several important school teams, including the School Improvement Team, STEM Team, and Systemic Blueprint Team. Soward-Puryear has also been instrumental in coordinating summer programs aimed at preparing young children for prekindergarten and kindergarten, as well as addressing learning gaps that emerged during the pandemic. Her participation in the district’s Vanguard teacher leadership program further underscores her dedication to professional growth and innovation.

As the 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year, Soward-Puryear will have the opportunity to represent the state on a national level. She is slated to compete for the National Teacher of the Year award in the spring and will spend the upcoming year engaging in speaking engagements and advisory roles, participating in events organized by the National Teacher of the Year Program. This recognition follows a previous success for Frederick County Public Schools, as in 2011, chemistry teacher Michelle Shearer went on to be named National Teacher of the Year.

The selection process for the Maryland Teacher of the Year involved a comprehensive evaluation of all finalists, who were assessed based on criteria including student achievement, teaching philosophy, community engagement, and their understanding of current educational issues. The panel responsible for this decision comprised principals, educators, students, and families, ensuring a broad and representative perspective. The other finalists for the 2026 award included Jacqueline Sanderson from Anne Arundel County, Jevons Liu from Baltimore City, Natalie Pretzello from Howard County, Marcie Mamas from Queen Anne’s County, Emma Cohn Matthews from Wicomico County, and Phillip Cropper from Worcester County.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Department of Education.

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