The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher of the Year and Supporting Services Employee of the Year will be announced on Wednesday, May 1 during the annual Champions for Children celebration at the Carver Educational Services Center (CESC) in Rockville. The event honors the exceptional work of educators, staff, and community partners who make a difference in the lives of children every day. The winner for Teacher of the Year will be in the running for Maryland Teacher of the Year. 

WHAT: Champions for Children Awards Celebration, including the announcement of the 2024-2025 MCPS Teacher of the Year and Supporting Services Employee of the Year

WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

WHERE: Carver Educational Services Center (CESC), 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

WHO: 

• Karla Silvestre, President, Montgomery County Board of Education 

• Will Jawando, Councilmember, Montgomery County Council

• Award winners and nominees 

Teacher of the Year Finalists:

• Janie Earle, kindergarten teacher at Poolesville Elementary School 

• Carrie Kraynak, English Language Development teacher at Flower Hill Elementary School

• Morgan Patel, social studies teacher at Montgomery Blair High School

• Melissa Porter Parks, English Language Development teacher at Gaithersburg High School

Supporting Services Employee of the Year Finalists:

• Chaula Butterworth, paraeducator, Farmland Elementary School 

• Robin McCue, administrative secretary III, Department of Athletics

• Bruno Smith, building service manager III, Mill Creek Towne Elementary School 

MCPS Rising Star Teacher of the Year

• Danielle Gover, chorus teacher at Westland Middle School

Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision

• Margarita Bohórquez, director of International Admissions and Enrollment

R.A.I.S.E. Champion of the Year

•  Farron Riggs, paraeducator and baseball coach at Rockville High School

Superintendent’s Community Champion for Children

• Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones

There will also be musical performances by The Acatonics from Thomas S. Wootton High School.

Members of the public are encouraged to tune in to the livestream on the MCPS website at 6:30 p.m. to view this year’s celebration.