BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland State Board of Education on Friday announced seven finalists for the 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year award. The winner will be named at a gala on Sept. 26 in Hunt Valley.
The finalists, selected from a group of 24 local school system teachers of the year, represent seven Maryland counties:
- Jacqueline Sanderson, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
- Jevons Liu, Baltimore City Public Schools
- ALonna Soward-Puryear, Frederick County Public Schools
- Natalie Pretzello, Howard County Public School System
- Marcie Mamas, Queen Anne’s County Public Schools
- Emma Cohn Matthews, Wicomico County Public Schools
- Phillip Cropper, Worcester County Public Schools
“Each of our finalists represents the very best of Maryland educators,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “Their dedication, creativity, and leadership are shaping the future of our students and communities.”
A selection panel composed of leaders from various Maryland educational organizations evaluated the finalists based on rigorous criteria, including student achievement, teaching philosophy, and community involvement.
The Maryland Teacher of the Year will go on to compete for the National Teacher of the Year Award and serve as a speaker and advisor on statewide education issues for the 2025-2026 school year.
Since 2006, three Maryland educators have won the national award.
Meet the Finalists
The finalists represent a diverse range of subjects and grade levels.
Jacqueline Sanderson, an English Language Development teacher at Belle Grove Elementary School in Anne Arundel County, is a National Board Certified teacher. She has created programs to support multilingual students and their families.
Jevons Liu, a National Board Certified special education and mathematics teacher at the Academy for College and Career Exploration in Baltimore City, is also a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow with the National Geographic Society. He mentors other educators and leads staff wellness initiatives.
ALonna Soward-Puryear, a fourth-grade teacher at Monocacy Elementary School in Frederick County, mentors new teachers and has coordinated summer programs to help with learning readiness and to address pandemic-related learning loss.
Natalie Pretzello, the band director at Hammond Middle School in Howard County, is a National Board Certified Teacher. She also co-directs the school system’s Gifted & Talented Symphonic Band and mentors new teachers.
Marcie Mamas has taught business for 30 years and is part of the Career and Technical Education Department at Kent Island High School in Queen Anne’s County. A past Maryland Business Teacher of the Year, she has chaired school improvement committees.
Emma Cohn Matthews, an English teacher at Wicomico High School, chairs the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) program and the English and World Language departments. She also advises the Gender and Sexuality Alliance.
Phillip Cropper, who leads the Culinary Arts program at Worcester Technical High School, was recently named the 2025 James H. Maynard National Teacher of the Year. He holds the 2024 SkillsUSA Maryland Advisor of the Year title and has extensive professional culinary experience.
