13 Hood College Alumni Nominated for 2026 FCPS Teacher of the Year Award

Hood College is proud to announce that 13 undergraduate and graduate alumni have been nominated for the 2026 Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) Teacher of the Year Award.

The full list of Hood alumni Teacher of the Year nominees includes:

• Katie Cheng, M.S.’12, Orchard Grove Elementary School

• Michele Cramer, M.A.’04, Frederick High School

• Janet Fox, M.S.’04, Rock Creek School

• Aubrie Stitcher Fraley ’06, M.S.’12, Myersville Elementary School

• Michelle Frankert Hill, C’10, Middletown High School

• Diane Gallagher ’95, Windsor Knolls Middle School

• Emma Jozwiak, M.S.’23, Deer Crossing Elementary School

• Ashley Lancaster, M.S.’10, Frederick County Virtual School

• Aubrey Lynch ’13, Urbana High School

• Patrick Morgan, M.S.’04, Linganore High School

• Susan Pickett, M.S.’09, Crestwood Middle School

• Heather Van Eck, M.S.’13, Sugarloaf Elementary School

• Jennifer Wenner ’98, M.S.’04, North Frederick Elementary School

“We are proud to see our alumni recognized for their dedication and commitment to promoting positive outcomes for all students,” said Kristine M. Calo, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Education at Hood College. “Our initial licensure and master’s degree programs are intentionally designed to prepare educators to lead and thrive in today’s classrooms.”

Calo continued: “On behalf of the Department of Education faculty and staff, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all nominees for this well-deserved recognition of their meaningful impact on the field of education.”

The Teacher of the Year serves as Frederick County’s representative in the Maryland State Teacher of the Year Program. In 2025, Hood alumna ALonna Soward-Puryear ’19, M.S.’24, was named as both the FCPS Teacher of the Year and Maryland Teacher of the Year.

All nominees will be honored by FCPS Superintendent Cheryl L. Dyson, DOL’21, who is also a Hood alumna, and the Frederick County Board of Education. The winner receives a variety of prizes from the State and FCPS, including professional development opportunities, recognition at a state-hosted banquet and other prizes. The Teacher of the Year’s home school also receives special recognition throughout the year.

Hood offers two undergraduate education programs as well as secondary education certification in the fields of art education, biology, chemistry, English, French, history, mathematics and Spanish. At the graduate level, Hood offers five education master’s programs and four post-baccalaureate certificate programs.

Hood maintains close ties with FCPS and offers tuition discounts for FCPS employees through the NeighborHOOD Partners Program.

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