SMECO Recognizes Outstanding Teachers
St. Mary’s Outstanding Mathematics Teachers Christina Dowe of Chesapeake Public Charter School, left, Taren Long of Chesapeake Public Charter School, and Lindsey Hubbell of Great Mills High School.
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative worked with the tri-county school systems to select and honor 23 educators with Outstanding Teacher awards for leadership in the fields of mathematics, science, technology, and CTE-STEM.
Receiving awards this year were eight mathematics teachers, eight science teachers, and seven CTE-STEM (career technical education, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teachers from schools in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
The teachers were chosen for their outstanding performance in the areas of creativity, rapport with students, enthusiasm for teaching, professionalism, and innovative teaching methods.
Each teacher receives a plaque and a cash award.
“SMECO is proud to continue this long-standing tradition of recognizing exceptional educators. For more than 30 years, we have honored more than 500 outstanding teachers across Southern Maryland, and tonight we add another remarkable group to that legacy,” said Tom Dennison, SMECO’s senior vice president of external affairs and communication. “In today’s rapidly evolving workforce, STEM skills are more critical than ever. Businesses, including SMECO, depend on graduates with strong foundations in mathematics, science, and technology to drive innovation and reliability. Equally important are the other essential skills that teachers cultivate: communication, collaboration, resilience, and critical thinking—skills that prepare students not only for careers, but for life. The work of these teachers has a profound and lasting impact on Southern Maryland. On behalf of SMECO, thank you for your service, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to education.”
Along with the Outstanding Teachers awards, SMECO works with local school systems to sponsor other educational programs.
They include the MATHCOUNTS competition for middle school students, the annual Elementary Mathematics Challenge, and the scholarship awards for Southern Maryland high school seniors. SMECO also takes students to Washington, DC, for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour.
SMECO’s Outstanding Mathematics, Science, and CTE-STEM Teachers of the Year are:
St. Mary’s County
- Christina Dowe, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Mathematics
- Joshua Garrison, Leonardtown High School, CTE-STEM
- Kristen Haley, Father Andrew White School, Science
- Lindsey Hubbell, Great Mills High School, Mathematics
- Susan Kopicko, Leonardtown Middle School, CTE-STEM
- Taren Long, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Mathematics
- Lindsey Massie, Leonardtown High School, Science
- Daniel Mixson, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Science
Calvert County
- Gillian Baird, Plum Point Elementary School, Science
- Shelby Harrington, Calvert Middle School, CTE-STEM
- Kimberly Libby, Mill Creek Middle School, Science
- Cassidy Miller, Southern Middle School, Mathematics
- Dr. Marshall Pike, Huntingtown High School, CTE-STEM
- Jami Straub, Northern High School, Mathematics
- John Urban, Calvert High School, Science
- Christian Wood, Huntingtown Elementary School, Mathematics
Charles County
- Nicholas Behning, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Science
- Kelly Bruce, Arthur Middleton Elementary School, CTE-STEM
- Aerika Doublin, North Point High School, CTE-STEM
- Adebukunola Isaacs, Thomas Stone High School, Science
- Taylor Nissen, Theodore Davis Middle School, Mathematics
- Allisa Queen, Mary B. Neal Elementary School, Mathematics
- Caitlin Timko, Piccowaxen Middle School, CTE-STEM
St. Mary’s Outstanding Science Teachers Kristen Haley of Father Andrew White School, left, Lindsey Massie of Leonardtown High School, and Daniel Mixson of Chesapeake Public Charter School.
St. Mary’s Outstanding CTE-STEM Teachers Joshua Garrison of Leonardtown High School, left, and Susan Kopicko of Leonardtown Middle School.
Charles County Outstanding Science Teachers Nicholas Behning of Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, left, and Adebukunola Isaacs of Thomas Stone High School.
Charles County Outstanding Mathematics Teachers Taylor Nissen of Theodore Davis Middle School, left, and Allisa Queen of Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
Charles County Outstanding CTE-STEM Teachers Kelly Bruce of Arthur Middleton Elementary School, left, Aerika Doublin of North Point High School, and Caitlin Timko of Piccowaxen Middle School.
Calvert County Outstanding Science Teachers Gillian Baird of Plum Point Elementary School, left, Kimberly Libby of Mill Creek Middle School, and John Urban of Calvert High School.
Calvert County Outstanding Mathematics Teachers Christian Wood of Huntingtown Elementary School, left, Cassidy Miller of Southern Middle School, and Jami Straub of Northern High School.
Calvert County Outstanding CTE-STEM teachers Shelby Harrington of Calvert Middle School, left, and Dr. Marshall Pike of Huntingtown High School.
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 170,000 member accounts 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 co-ops are owned by their customers. Co-op 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 co-op 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. Check out podcasts hosted by Sonja Cox, CEO and president. Listen on SMECO’s YouTube channel or wherever you get your podcasts.
The SMECO 24/7 mobile app is available at www.smeco.coop/247. To learn more about SMECO, visit its Leader member page.
