SMECO Recognizes Outstanding Teachers

SMECO’s Outstanding Teachers from St. Mary’s. Clockwise from above right, Michelle Atwell of Spring Ridge Middle School, Graham Coombs of Leonardtown High School, and Carol Poole of the Chesapeake Public Charter School (math). Staci Eccleston of Leonardtown Elementary School, Keri Gray of Leonardtown Middle School, and Lisa Haycraft of Chopticon High School (science). Stephen Westgate of Esperanza Middle School and Christie Grebos of Leonardtown High School (CTE-STEM).

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative honored 23 educators in the region with Outstanding Teacher awards for leadership in the fields of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering. SMECO worked with the local school systems to select the teachers.

Receiving awards this year were nine math teachers, nine science teachers, and five CTE-STEM (career technical education, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teachers from schools in four 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 has a long-standing tradition of celebrating excellence in education. Over the past 30 years, we have recognized almost 500 exceptional educators, and tonight, we proudly add 23 more outstanding teachers to this prestigious list,” said Sonja Cox, SMECO’s president and CEO, at the award presentation. “Each of our honorees tonight embodies the highest standards of classroom excellence, leadership, and dedication. Beyond academic instruction, they inspire character, creativity, and resilience, ensuring that Southern Maryland students are well-equipped to take on the challenges and opportunities of the future. The impact of their work extends beyond the classroom—it strengthens our economy, workforce, and community. To our honorees, congratulations! Your unwavering commitment to education makes a profound difference and tonight’s recognition is well deserved.”

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, D.C., for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour.

SMECO’s Outstanding Mathematics, Science, and CTE-STEM Teachers of the Year are listed below.

St. Mary’s County

• Michelle Atwell, Spring Ridge Middle School, Mathematics
• Graham Coombs, Leonardtown High School, Mathematics
• Staci Eccleston, Leonardtown Elementary School, Science
• Keri Gray, Leonardtown Middle School, Science
• Christie Grebos, Leonardtown High School, CTE-STEM
• Lisa Haycraft, Chopticon High School, Science
• Carol Poole, Chesapeake Public Charter School, Mathematics
• Stephen Westgate, Esperanza Middle School, CTE-STEM

Calvert County

• Jessica Bright, Northern High School, Science
• Amy Harris, Windy Hill Middle School, Science
• Meagan Jeffries, Sunderland Elementary School, CTE-STEM
• Ashley Knight, Patuxent High School, Mathematics
• Laurel Newcomer, Plum Point Middle School, Mathematics
• Mickey Norfolk, Northern High School, CTE-STEM
• Sherri Welcher-Brown, Mount Harmony Elementary School, Science
• Tammy Galensky Wright, Windy Hill Elementary School, Mathematics

Charles County

• Rachel Clark, La Plata High School, Science
• Stefanie Marcuse, Arthur Middleton Elementary School, CTE-STEM
• Jennifer Norris, Theodore Davis Middle School, Science
• Pauline Shaker, Mary B. Neal Elementary School, Mathematics
• Deborah Spencer, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Mathematics
• Kristi Tewell, Billingsley Elementary School, Science

Prince George’s County

• Michelle Wickliffe, Brandywine Elementary School, Mathematics

 

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.

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The SMECO 24/7 mobile app is available at www.smeco.coop/247. To learn more about SMECO, please visit its Leader member page.