Peter Ricciuti, Rock Creek School, Washington Post Teacher of the Year Finalist; and Janine Smith, Thurmont Middle School, Washington Post Principal of the Year Finalist
Teacher of the Year finalist: Peter Ricciuti, Rock Creek School
Principal of the Year finalist: Janine Smith, Thurmont Middle School
Rock Creek School Special Education Teacher Peter Ricciuti and Thurmont Middle principal Janine Smith are the 2024 FCPS nominees in the Washington Post Educator of the Year program.
Ricciuti is the Washington Post Teacher of the Year nominee for FCPS. Smith is the 2024 Washington Post Principal of the Year nominee for FCPS.
The Washington Post Educator of the Year Awards recognize educators who go above and beyond the day-to-day demands of their positions to create exceptional learning environments.
Washington Post Teacher of the Year finalist
Peter Ricciuti was the 2023 FCPS Teacher of the Year runner-up. He joined the Rock Creek faculty in 2012. He leads Rock Creek’s gardening program, which is an essential component of the school’s life skills curriculum.
Whenever possible, Ricciuti ensures that his lessons are hands-on and practical.
He earned a Master of Arts degree in Teaching and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business and Finance from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg. He also attended the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Law and was admitted to the Maryland Bar, serving as an attorney for three years.
Washington Post Principal of the Year finalist
Janine Smith has served the Thurmont Middle community since 2018, first as assistant principal and then as principal since 2020. She served as an assistant principal at Windsor Knolls Middle from 2016-18.
A powerful advocate for all students in the Catoctin High feeder pattern, Smith’s motto is “Be the Change.” She ensures that student voices are heard. She is also known for listening to all stakeholders in the community and collaborating with Catoctin High feeder principals.
Smith completed the Leadership Frederick County program in 2017 and is a former FCPS Teacher of the Year finalist in 2016 as a Language Arts teacher at Oakdale Middle.
Smith has a Master of Arts degree in Education from Hood College and a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Washington Post Teacher of the Year Finalist, Peter Ricciuti, Rock Creek School
Washington Post Principal of the Year Finalist, Janine Smith, Thurmont Middle School