Five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) teachers were recently named 2024 Outstanding Teacher Honorees by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). The annual awards program recognizes teachers for outstanding achievements in teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The CCPS teachers honored for mathematics were Jennifer Decker of Westlake High School; and Marissa Ellis of Dr. James Craik Elementary School.
The teachers honored for science were Delacy Craig of Westlake; Hector Telford of Benjamin Stoddert Middle School; and Sarah Wustner of Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School.
Teachers were nominated by staff, students, principals, educators, community members or administrators. Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges. Outstanding teachers are chosen for their inspiration to students and their ability to motivate them to become innovators. According to SMECO, outstanding teachers are “employees who are essential to the continued success of tech-driven businesses because they bring valuable mathematics, science, and technology skills to the workplace.”
After 10 years of volunteering as a parent in elementary school classes, being a middle school chaperone and a high school team parent or coach, Decker found her passion teaching Algebra at Westlake. She has been a math teacher at the school for eight years and feels that the career shift contributes to her fulfilling her destiny. She strives to give her students a new perspective on math hoping that they finish the year no longer hating the subject and maybe even liking it a little. “It is important that my students know that they have a trusted adult in the building who sees them, cares about their wellbeing and will be there for them if they need something or someone,” she said. She was humbled and in disbelief to be a recipient of the SMECO award. She said that her motivation for teaching comes from the call that was placed on her heart eight years ago.
Ellis has been with CCPS for 15 years and has been a fifth-grade teacher at Craik for seven. Her motivating factor for showing up for her students every day stems from her passion for helping others. “I hope to make a difference in each of their lives and help foster a love for learning,” she said. She was completely surprised to learn that she had received the SMECO award recognition. “I know there are amazing educators within the tri-county area and was I humbled to be picked amongst them,” Ellis said.
Craig has been a science teacher at Westlake for five years and the science department chair for six. She enjoys the relationships that she has built with her students. “We are family and I love them deeply. Seeing them grow through their years and mature is the best feeling ever,” she said. She among the other SMECO award recipients who were happy about receiving the recognition. Craig said that she felt she deserved it given her work ethic in her role.
Telford, a science teacher at Stoddert, has been teaching at the school for nearly five years. He has served as the VEX Robotics coach for three years and head of the science department at the school for two. He enjoys interacting with his students and seeing them grow in their knowledge and understanding. “I am always thrilled when I observe them applying what they learn in science to their own lives and everyday activities,” he said. Telford said that he not only received the award as a teacher but on behalf of the “amazing work” that is done at the school. His motivation comes from his strong belief that he can help students to develop the knowledge and skills required to think, learn and solve problems. “That knowledge can help them make informed decisions or even become future scientists,” he said.
Wustner has been working with CCPS since 2007. She taught first and fourth grade before entering her current role as a second-grade teacher at Higdon for the past six years. As an educator she enjoys watching the growth that her students make as learners and how they communicate with others. “I was so excited and honored when I found out that I was named a 2024 SMECO Outstanding Teacher,” she said. Wustner said that she enjoys working with students daily and instilling a positive impact on their lives.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).