March 5, 2026 (Westover, MD) - Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS) is proud to announce the nominees for the 2026–2027 Somerset County Rising Teacher of the Year (ROY) Program.
This year marks the inaugural launch of the Rising Teacher of the Year Program, a new initiative designed to recognize exceptional early-career educators who demonstrate professionalism, dedication to students, and strong instructional promise. The program honors teachers within their first three years in the profession who are already making a meaningful impact in Somerset County classrooms.
Teachers nominated for this prestigious recognition were selected by their school administrators and supervisors in acknowledgment of their outstanding performance, professionalism, and positive influence on students and school communities.
To be eligible, nominees must hold a valid Maryland teaching certificate, be in good standing with the school system, demonstrate strong attendance, and exhibit exceptional instructional promise.
Somerset County Public Schools is pleased to recognize the following educators as 2026–2027 Rising Teacher of the Year nominees:
Crisfield Academy & High School (CAHS):
Robert Yeager — Special Education
Washington Academy & High School (WAHS):
Demajia Jones — Science
Gavin Dennis — 8th Grade Social Studies
Somerset Intermediate School (SIS):
Lamont Hutt — Mathematics
Jordan Riddleberger — Art
Greenwood Elementary School (GES):
Noel Atkins — 3rd Grade
Princess Anne Elementary School (PAES):
Maura Dean — 1st Grade
Somerset County Technical High School (SCTHS):
Lisa Ward — Culinary Arts
Chris Guy — Welding
Each nominee will participate in the program’s formal review process, which includes the submission of a professional reflection and a recorded video presentation highlighting their instructional practices and commitment to student learning. Submissions will be evaluated by community judges using a standardized rubric to determine the first, second, and third place Rising Teacher of the Year recipients.
The Rising Teacher of the Year will be announced alongside the Somerset County Teacher of the Year during the annual Teacher of the Year Celebration on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony.
Somerset County Public Schools congratulates each nominee for this well-deserved recognition and celebrates the launch of this important new tradition honoring the next generation of outstanding educators.
Rising Teacher of the Year (ROY) Program Contact:
Tina Greenwood
Chief Academic Officer - Secondary
Somerset County Public Schools
410-651-1616
tgreenwood@somerset.k12.md.us
(L-R) Cindy Lloyd Holland - Instructional Mentor, Robert Yeager - Nominee, SCPS’ Rising Teacher of the Year, Dr. Lisa Dennis - Instructional Mentor
Robert Yeager (center), Special Education teacher at Crisfield Academy & High School, was nominated as a Somerset County Public Schools Rising Teacher of the Year.
(L-R) Cindy Lloyd Holland - Instructional Mentor, Demajia Jones - Nominee, SCPS Rising Teacher of the Year, Dr. Lisa Dennis - Instructional Mentor
Demajia Jones, Science teacher at Washington Academy & High School, was nominated as a Somerset County Public Schools Rising Teacher of the Year.
(L-R) Dr. Lisa Dennis - Instructional Mentor, Gavin Dennis - Nominee, SCPS Rising Teacher of the Year, Cindy Lloyd Holland - Instructional Mentor
Gavin Dennis (center), 8th Grade Social Studies teacher at Washington Academy & High School, was nominated as a Somerset County Public Schools Rising Teacher of the Year.
(L-R) Dr. Lisa Dennis - Instructional Mentor, Lamont Hutt - Nominee, SCPS Rising Teacher of the Year, Cindy Lloyd Holland - Instructional Mentor
Lamont Hutt (center), Mathematics teacher at Somerset Intermediate School, was nominated as a Somerset County Public Schools Rising Teacher of the Year.
(L-R) Dr. Lisa Dennis - Instructional Mentor, Jordan Riddleberger - Nominee, SCPS Rising Teacher of the Year, Cindy Lloyd Holland - Instructional Mentor
Jordan Riddleberger (center), Art teacher at Somerset Intermediate School, was nominated as a Somerset County Public Schools Rising Teacher of the Year.
(L-R) Dr. Lisa Dennis - Instructional Mentor, Noel Atkins - Nominee, SCPS Rising Teacher of the Year, Cindy Lloyd Holland - Instructional Mentor
Noel Atkins (center), 3rd Grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary School, was nominated as a Somerset County Public Schools Rising Teacher of the Year.
(L-R) Cindy Lloyd Holland - Instructional Mentor, Maura Dean - Nominee, SCPS Rising Teacher of the Year, Dr. Lisa Dennis - Instructional Mentor
Maura Dean (center), 1st Grade teacher at Princess Anne Elementary School, was nominated as a Somerset County Public Schools Rising Teacher of the Year.
(L-R) Dr. Lisa Dennis - Instructional Mentor, Lisa Ward - Nominee, SCPS Rising Teacher of the Year, Cindy Lloyd Holland - Instructional Mentor
Lisa Ward (center), Culinary Arts Instructor at Somerset County Technical High School, was nominated as a Somerset County Public Schools Rising Teacher of the Year.
(L-R) Cindy Lloyd Holland - Instructional Mentor, Chris Guy - Nominee, SCPS Rising Teacher of the Year, Dr. Lisa Dennis - Instructional Mentor
Chris Guy (center), Welding Instructor at Somerset County Technical High School, was nominated as a Somerset County Public Schools Rising Teacher of the Year.