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Division of Family and Community Engagement → Awards & Recognition → Montgomery County Teacher of the Year Award

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Teacher Headshot

The 2026 MCPS Teacher of the Year was given to Michelle Elie, English teacher at Montgomery Blair High School. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and founder of Montgomery Blair’s African American Studies Academy. She has been praised for nurturing student talent, fostering inclusive communities and empowering marginalized voices through poetry, literature and advocacy. Colleagues highlight Elie’s ability to build pride and purpose in young people, helping them find their voices and build lasting — sometimes lifelong — community connections .As the MCPS Teacher of the Year, she represented the county as the nominee for the Maryland State Teacher of the Year Award.

About the Award

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher of the Year Award honors a full-time prekindergarten through Grade 12 teacher who has a demonstrated record of high academic expectations for all students, engaging students of all backgrounds and abilities, contributing to a positive school culture, and connecting with the school community. The MCPS Teacher of the Year goes on to represent MCPS as the nominee for the Maryland Teacher of the Year Award.

Key Information for the 2026-2027 MCPS Teacher of the Year:

  • Each MCPS school will select their own Teacher of the Year. Each school has a selection committee composed of the school Principal, MCEA Head Building Representative, and Elected Faculty Representative OR designee(s).
  • Deadline: Names of all school Teachers of the Year recipients must be received by 11/20 using this form. 
  • Schools will announce their Teacher of the Year recipient between 12/7 - 12/18.
  • Teacher of the Year recipients will be given access to the MCPS Teacher of the Year nomination form on 12/18
    Note: School Teacher of the Year recipients are not obligated to complete the nomination form for the MCPS Teacher of the Year award, but we encourage all Teachers of the Year to apply
  • Deadline: Nominations for the MCPS Teacher of the Year award must be submitted by 1/8
  • Winners - Recipients for the Elementary, Middle and High School Teachers of the Year will be announced in March. The MCPS Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Celebration Gala on 3/17

Eligibility

  • At least 5 full school years of teaching experience, with at least 3 full school years with MCPS
  • Is a current, full-time pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 teacher in MCPS (must spend at least 75% of their time in the classroom)
  • Must maintain a position with MCPS throughout the 2027-2028 school year
  • Is not a previous MCPS Teacher of the Year recipient and/or has not won their school’s Teacher of the Year award in the past three years
  • Is not in the PAR process and/or is cleared by MCPS HR of any disciplinary actions
  • Cannot be on the selection committee for their school