Teachers, Staffers Recognized At 2026 Celebration Of Excellence In Education

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Numerous teachers and staff members will be honored by Harford County Public Schools at the 2026 Celebration of Excellence in Education planned for April 16.

Awards to be handed out include the areas of teacher of the year, leadership, operations, student services, transportation and educational support professionals. Below are the finalists.

Teacher of the Year

• Nathan L. Armstrong, Fifth Grade Teacher, Hickory Elementary School

• Michael B. James, English Teacher, North Harford High School

• Brad D. Martin, Trades and Industry Teacher, Harford Technical High School

• Meredith A. Miller, Second Grade Teacher, Ring Factory Elementary School

• Kelli S. Parker, Special Education Teacher, Darlington Elementary School

Principal of the Year

• Jennifer N. Gasdia, Old Post Road Elementary School Assistant Principal of the Year

• Lauren M. Cody, C. Milton Wright High School

• Sara E. Collis, Bel Air High School

• Latika J. Diggs, Meadowvale Elementary School

• Caitlin L. Sieracki, Bakerfield Elementary School

• Stacey L. Zengel, Fallston High School Educational Support Professional of the Year

• Cassandra “Cindy” J. Horton, Paraeducator, Fountain Green Elementary School

• Tara L. Koppenhaver, Inclusion Helper, Havre de Grace Elementary School

• Tara Y. Lloyd Laurence, Paraeducator, Bakerfield Elementary School

Student Services Professional of the Year

(One student services winner will be chosen from the subcategory finalists named below.)

• School Nurse • Kimberly R. Bandy, Meadowvale Elementary School
• School Counselor • Karen J. Cunningham, Edgewood Elementary School
• Social Worker • Carrie L. Dalton, Edgewood Middle School
• Pupil Personnel Worker • Sarah Q. Lumbard, Magnolia Elementary School
• School Psychologist • Adriana A. Pizzadili, Edgewood High School

Operations Professional of the Year

(One operations professional winner will be chosen from the subcategory finalists named below.)

• Facilities • Kenneth H. Earle, Custodial Services Coordinator, Operations (Hickory Annex)
• Safety and Security • Christopher N. McKelvey, School Safety Liaison, C. Milton Wright High School
• Food Services • Eric C. Rhodes, Food and Nutrition Coordinator, Food and Nutrition Services
• Custodian • Michael W. Serrini, Custodian, Meadowvale Elementary School
• Technology • Stephen M. Shaw, Network Engineer, Office of Technology (posthumous)

Transportation Professional of the Year

(Three transportation winners will be selected, one from each of the subcategories below.)

General Education Driver

• Kimberly Bennett, Bus 720

• Thelma Brown, Bus 918

Special Education Driver

• Maranda N. Johnson, Bus 464

• Dawn M. Mahaley, Bus 323

Bus Attendant

• Elizabeth Cole, Bus 474

• Terry L. Lecuyer, Bus 326