On April 17, seven teacher candidates attended the Teacher of Promise Institute hosted by the Maryland State Department of Education at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Columbia.
Teacher candidates who receive this prestigious honor are assigned a mentor teacher who works with them and provides support over the summer and through their first year. The keynote speaker was 2026 Teacher of the Year, ALonna Soward-Puryear, a fourth-grade teacher at Monocacy Elementary School in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). In addition, the candidates engaged in activities such as Constructivist Listening, a first-year teachers panel, and Unconferences, mini-sessions on a variety of topics which allowed participants to participate in unstructured conversations around a session of their choice.
Congratulations to all participants (pictured left to right):
Faith Alsip – Early Childhood Education
Stephanie Henry – Early Childhood Education
Zaria Smith – Early Childhood Education
Abigal Slovikosky – Elementary Education
Alex Wallin – Middle School Education: Math and Science
Bethany Gingerich (MAT Early Childhood Education)
Kylie Zimmerman – Elementary Education