Education  

Outstanding Teachers, Staff Honored at Education Awards Celebration

Megan Campbell, instrumental music teacher at Parkland Middle School in Rockville, was named the 2025 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher of the Year during Tuesday night’s Distinguished Service to Education Honors.

The Board of Education and MCPS presented nine awards and celebrated 20 “exceptional individuals.” The event was held at the Strathmore Music Center.

Campbell becomes the MCPS’ nominee for Maryland Teacher of the Year.

In a prepared video shown during the celebration, Campbell said, “There is like a fire that is in this room, and they bring it so it is my job not to squash it.”

Campbell began teaching at MCPS in 2015. She started at John F. Kennedy High School teaching band, orchestra, guitar and International Baccalaureate music. She also led the marching band, pep band, jazz band, pit orchestra and chamber ensembles. She led the Marching Cavaliers to fourth in their division at Maryland State Championships.

“When arriving at Parkland in 2020, during the pandemic, her vision was to bring Parkland ensembles to MCPS musical adjudications, something the school had not attended in years. She believes that student musicians have risen to the occasion—working hard to learn instruments, rehearsing with peers, finding the courage for performances and, instead of taking a break the day after a concert, wanting to learn new music,” MCPS wrote in a news release.

Meredith Luther was named Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She is a kindergarten teacher at Rock Creek Forest in Chevy Chase. Peter Beach is the High School Teacher of the Year. He is a social studies teacher at Richard Montgomery in Rockville.

John Sparrow, a paraeducator at Poolesville High School, was recognized by SEIU Local 500 and MCPS as the 2025 Supporting Services Employee of the Year.

The Board of Education Student Service Award was presented to German Diaz-Peña, a senior at Rockville High School.

Other honorees are listed below:

 

  • Bridget Calhoun, Winston Churchill High School, BOE School Service Volunteer
  • David Child, General Manager of the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, BOE Business Partner
  • Frank De Las Casas, Walter Johnson High School, R.A.I.S.E. Champion of the Year
  • Felicia Jackson, SEIU Security Chapter Employee of the Year
  • Ashley Kapp, Third Grade Special Education Teacher, Brooke Grove Elementary School, Rising Star Teacher of the Year
  • Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) Family Resiliency Program, Executive  Director Kathy Hedge, BOE Community Partner
  • Charles (Rob) Powers, SEIU Maintenance Chapter Employee of the Year
  • David Ray, SEIU Building Services Employee of the Year
  • Dr. Jeffrey Sullivan, MCPS Director of Athletics, Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision
  • Loretta Taylor, SEIU Food Services Chapter Employee of the Year
  • Trina Vogel, SEIU Media and Technology Chapter Employee of the Year

Learn more about the individuals honored here.

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