Patti Kolias receives honor presented annually to outstanding FCPS educator
Linganore High English teacher Patti Kolias is the 2024 Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award recipient.
Kolias was surprised by the news of this prestigious recognition, sponsored by Hood College, in her classroom by FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson, FCPS leaders, elected officials, and the Linganore High administration. Kolias was also joined by students she has supported in the classroom and as a club adviser.
“Ms. Kolias is an outstanding educator who selflessly devotes considerable time and effort to ensuring all student voices are heard,” Dyson said. “She is a true champion of supporting every student, every day.”
Kolias has served at Linganore High School since 2016, where she is the Student Voices Faculty Leader, the No Place for Hate Adviser, and the Multi-Cultural Committee Co-Chair. Kolias founded the Linganore High STEP Team and is the organization’s co-adviser.
The parent of a student on the STEP team said: “She leads by example and is a bright light for the future of Linganore High. She is truly an exemplary person who is dedicated to not only her students but her community as well. I cannot think of a more deserving person to receive this award.”
The Charles E. Tressler Award is given annually to a standout FCPS educator. The late Samuel Eig, of Gaithersburg, established the Tressler Award to recognize Dr. Tressler, a Giles professor emeritus of early childhood education who taught at the college from 1964 to 1990. Dr. Tressler chaired Hood’s Education Department for 18 years and served on the school’s graduate school council for 12 years.
Kolias is currently enrolled in the Hood College Educational Leadership Master’s Degree program. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Youngstown State University and taught from 2006-2016 at high schools in Ohio.