On Monday, April 24, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will present awards to teachers and support staff for their outstanding contributions to the welfare of students system wide. The Champions for Children celebration takes place at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. It is the first such in-person ceremony since 2019.
At this writing three teachers contend for Teacher of the Year: Megan Anderson, fifth grade teacher at Chevy Chase Elementary School, Eunju (April) Moon, sixth grade teacher at Ridgeview Middle School and Shannon McKenzie, child development teacher at Clarksburg High School.
Amanda Hammersla will be recognized as Rising Star Teacher of the Year. She teaches 4th grade at Chevy Chase Elementary School. Assistant Principal at Hallie Wells Middle School, Beth F. Thomas, won the Dr. Edward Shirly Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision. Supply Service coordinator Kimani Gray was named Employee of the Year.
Two additional awards will be presented: Laura Mitchell of Montgomery Goes Purple will be named a Community Champion for Children. Clarksburg High School teacher and coach Cecilia (Sissy) Natoli will receive the first ever R.A.I.S.E. Champion of the Year award.
