Skip to main content

Awards & Recognition
2026-2027

Awards Timeline

awards

Share Good News

Know someone or a school making a difference? Submit school or community achievement information for consideration.

Submit Good News

Coming Soon - External & Self-Nomination Awards

Explore ongoing opportunities for external awards and programs, including deadlines and links.

Explore Opportunities (Coming Soon)

Awards by Employee Group

Explore awards and recognition opportunities by employee group. Select a group below to view available awards, responsible offices, and contact information.

Event Office Responsible Contact Information

Board of Education Distinguished Service Awards

Montgomery County Board of Education

Board of Education Office
240-740-3030

Retirement Reception

Employee & Retiree Service Center (ERSC) and Division of Family and Community Engagement

Kevin Brunk
240-740-8089
Kevin_Brunk@mcpsmd.org

Years of Service Recognition

10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years

Employee & Retiree Service Center (ERSC) and Division of Family and Community Engagement

Kevin Brunk
240-740-8089
Kevin_Brunk@mcpsmd.org

Event Office Responsible Contact Information

Mark Mann Award

Division of Family and Community Engagement

Kevin Brunk
240-740-8089
Kevin_Brunk@mcpsmd.org

The Washington Post Principal of the Year Award 

Division of Family and Community Engagement

Kevin Brunk
240-740-8089
Kevin_Brunk@mcpsmd.org

Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration & Supervision

MCAAP & MCBRE Collaboration

Ryan Forkert
301-762-8174
RForkert@mcaapmd.org

Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals Assistant Principal of the Year Award

Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals    

Chris Truffer
443-545-9988
cmtruffer@mdmassp.org

Nancy Walker Award  for Outstanding Support to a Library Media Program

(awarded to a principal or assistant principal)

Montgomery County Educational Media Specialists Association (MCEMSA)

MCEMSAonline@gmail.com

Event Office Responsible Contact Information

Outstanding ELD Teachers and Principals

Division of Multilingual Education

Katheryne Morales
240-740-4004
Katheryne_Morales@mcpsmd.org

Event Office Responsible Contact Information

National Board Certificate Recognition

MCEA & Department of Professional Learning

Amy Huque
240-740-8049
Amy_E_Huque@mcpsmd.org

The Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award

Division of Family and Community Engagement

Kevin Brunk
240-740-8089
Kevin_Brunk@mcpsmd.org

Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award 

MCEA & Division of Family and Community Engagement

Mai Lien Le
949-433-3576
mle@mceanea.org

Montgomery County Public Schools Rising Star Teacher Award

Division of Family and Community Engagement

Kevin Brunk
240-740-8089
Kevin_Brunk@mcpsmd.org

Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching of Science and Mathematics

Division of Teaching and Learning

Rosanna Haywood
240-740-4002
Rosanna_T_Haywood@mcpsmd.org

Shirley J. Lowrie "Thank You For Teaching" Elementary Teacher Award  

Division of Family and Community Engagement

Kevin Brunk
240-740-8089
Kevin_Brunk@mcpsmd.org

Counselor of the Year

Elementary, Middle and High School

Department of School Counseling Services

Theresa Dethlefsen, Jasmine Wilson and Arianne Haydel
240-740-3109
Arianne_E_Haydel@mcpsmd.org

Art Education Award

Division of Teaching and Learning/Visual and Performing Arts & Maryland Art Education Association

Anjali Wells
240-740-4007
Anjali_Madan@mcpsmd.org

Music Teacher of the Year

Division of Fine Arts - Maryland Music Education Association

Katie Murphy
240-740-4007

Phil Barnes
240-740-4007

Event Office Responsible Contact Information

MCPS-College/University Partnerships

Division of Equity & Organizational Development

Brittany Ramey
Brittany_E_Ramey@mcpsmd.org

Event Office Responsible Contact Information

Building Service Employee Recognition — Individual or Total Group

Division of Maintenance and Operations

Katherine Manzanares
240-740-2283

Salute to School Food Service Personnel Day

Division of Food and Nutrition Services

Robyn Graham
240-740-7400
Robyn_L_Graham@mcpsmd.org

Food and Nutrition Services Employee of the Year

Division of Food and Nutrition Services—Montgomery County School Food Service Association

Robyn Graham
240-740-7400
Robyn_L_Graham@mcpsmd.org

Chapter Awards and Supporting Services Employee of the Year

SEIU Local 500

Carlene Butt-Pruitt
240-740-8076
Carlene_M_Butt-Pruitt@mcpsmd.org

Worksite Support Staff Excellence Award

SEIU Local 500

Carlene Butt-Pruitt
240-740-8076
Carlene_M_Butt-Pruitt@mcpsmd.org

Awards Timeline

Key dates and milestones for major awards programs during the 2026-2027 school year.

School Teacher of the Year
Process Timeline (MCEA)

  • 10/9: Deadline to notify MCEA with the names of the school selection committee
  • 11/20: Deadline to submit Teacher of the Year for each school
  • 11/20 - 12/7: MCEA will conduct the PAR check and MCPS will conduct the HR check
  • 12/7: Schools will be notified if their Teacher of the Year has passed the PAR/HR check
  • 12/7 - 12/10: Schools will use this time to notify and celebrate their Teacher of the Year
  • 3/17: Gold Star Gala Celebration for all Teachers of the Year

MCPS / Rising Star
Teacher of the Year

  • 11/20: Deadline for schools to identify nominees for the Rising Star Teacher Award
  • 12/14 - 1/15: Nominee submits information and documents to be considered for the award
  • 3/1: Celebration Express notifies winner
  • 5/4: Distinguished Service Awards

Worksite Support Staff
Excellence Award

(241 awards, 1 per site) (SEIU)

  • 10/9: Deadline to notify SEIU with the names of the site selection committee
  • 11/20: Deadline to submit Worksite Support Staff Excellence Award winners for each site
  • 11/20 - 12/7: Nominees are vetted
  • 12/7: Sites will be notified if their Worksite Support Staff Excellence Award winner has passed screening
  • 12/7 - 12/10: Sites will use this time to notify and celebrate their award winner
  • 3/18: Gold Star Gala Celebration for all Worksite Support Staff Excellence Award winners

Chapter Awards and Nominees
for the Support Services
Employee of the Year

(24 awards comprised of 3 awards per chapter)

  • October 1 - December 1: Nominations received by SEIU Local 500
  • December 4 - 23: All eight Labor Management Committees score nominations
  • December 28 - January 5: Nominees vetted
  • January 6 - 8: First place chapter award winners are nominated for the Supporting Services Employee of the Year Award
  • January 15 - February 19: Chapter second and third place award winners notified by SEIU and nomination teams
  • March 1: Celebration Express notifies all first place winners

Supporting Services
Employee of the Year

  • January 6 - 8: First place chapter award winners are nominated
  • January 11 - 22: Nominations scored
  • February: Nomination team notified
  • May 4, 2027: Distinguished Service Awards