The Montgomery County Chamber Workforce Corporation has honored representatives of the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in six categories in the annual "Heroes in Education" awards given to recognize outstanding contributions to education in the county. Partners in Business and Education Outstanding Partnership Awards also were presented.

The awards were presented at a special breakfast at the Pooks Hill Marriott on March 15.

This year's Heroes in Education winners from Montgomery County Public Schools are:

Outstanding Education Leader: Laura Annan, principal of Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School, was cited for her success in creating a "powerfully positive learning environment, " exemplified by the school's slogan and logo HEART High Expectations, Academic Success, Respect and Teachers, parents and students working together.

Outstanding Character Education Program: Fields Road Elementary School Character Counts!, inspired by the school's vocal music teacher Michele Kelly, has broadened its student-centered program with the Character Counts! Chorus and a yearly drama production with a Character Counts! theme.

Outstanding School: Paint Branch High School was honored for its extensive career program which partners with businesses to provide hundreds of internship opportunities for students, an active Business Advisory Council, and additional partnerships with Comcast, Olney Theater, and Montgomery College.

Outstanding Special Needs Program: Rosemary Hills Primary School was honored for its programs, which balance general education classroom activities and small group instruction in academic areas for its special needs students, who make up 10 percent of the school's 600 students.

Outstanding Elementary School Teacher: Carol Palfrey, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher at Washington Grove Elementary School, was recognized for her support of ESOL students, staff and parents, including parent support and improved communication at the school, which has a 37 percent Hispanic population.

Outstanding High School Teacher: Jeffrey Newby, a modern world history teacher, SGA sponsor and JV basketball coach at Montgomery Blair High School, was recognized for working to transcend the learning barriers faced by many of his SPARC (students at high risk of academic failure) and ESOL students, and for his commitment to character education and student service.

Also winning a Heroes award was Wanda Brown, coordinator of educational services with PEPCO and member of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Education Connection. She was named Outstanding Business Leader in part for her work in creating business/education programs for MCPS students and teachers. Additional winners were Jennifer Chambers, The Chelsea School, for outstanding middle school teacher, and Olivia Sweeney, St. Mary's School, for outstanding support services employee.

Recipients of the Partners in Business and Education Outstanding Partnership Awards were:

Alexandria Seaport Foundation and Muncaster Challenge Program

DoubleTree Hotel and Farmland Elementary School

International Network to Freedom Association and Muncaster Challenge Program

Mariner Health at Circle Manor and Albert Einstein High School

Montgomery County Department of Recreation and Muncaster Challenge Program