Ebony Janey, Early Childhood Education graduate, is the recipient of the 2024 Maryland Association of Teacher Educators (MATE) Distinguished Teacher Candidate Award. Ms. Janey consistently exhibited exceptional academic achievement, unwavering dedication, and remarkable perseverance. Her commitment to addressing the needs of others within the Stevenson Community and her ability to manage significant responsibilities beyond her academic life has been inspiring. Throughout her internship year, Ms. Janey evolved from a passionate intern to a poised and confident classroom teacher. Her ability to effectively manage a diverse classroom, catering to students with varying learning strengths and needs, is truly magical. Ms. Janey successfully maintains a balance of kindness, respect, and high expectations for her students. Ms. Janey exemplifies the ideals of a reflective practitioner. She is conscious of her own strengths and challenges and uses this understanding to continuously improve her teaching practices. She seeks multiple perspectives, often consulting her mentor teacher, her peers, and her colleagues as she navigates the daily classroom environment. Ms. Janey is flexible and willing to try new ideas to address students’ needs, always centering her decisions on building deep connections with students to create a supportive learning community for all of her students to learn and grow.