ALonna Soward-Puryear is third FCPS educator in last four years named finalist for prestigious state honor
Frederick, MD – Monocacy Elementary’s ALonna Soward-Puryear is one of seven educators named a 2026 Maryland State Teacher of the Year finalist by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Soward-Puryear is the 2024-25 Frederick County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Soward-Puryear is a targeted intervention teacher at Monocacy Elementary. Previously, she taught fourth grade at Monocacy, where she has served as a team leader and an active member of the School Improvement Team, STEM Team, and Systemic Blueprint Team.
Soward-Puryear has taught at Monocacy Elementary since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education from Hood College in Frederick, where she also earned a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership. She is a proud Frederick High graduate and also attended West Frederick Middle, Spring Ridge Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary as a student.
“ALonna Soward-Puryear is a powerful advocate for all students, and I was thrilled to hear she has been named a state finalist,” FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson said. “We are so fortunate to have outstanding and passionate educators like Ms. Soward-Puryear inspiring FCPS students in classrooms throughout the county.”
Soward-Puryear is the third FCPS educator in the last four years and the fourth in the last seven years to be named a Maryland State Teacher of the Year finalist.
Recent FCPS educators named Maryland State Teacher of the Year finalists include:
- Nicole Rhoades, science teacher, Windsor Knolls Middle
- Jonathan Kurtz, coordinator for the FCPS Academy for the Fine Arts, Gov. Thomas Johnson High
- Mike Franklin, physical education teacher, Catoctin High
Frederick High’s Michelle Shearer and Linganore High’s Darren Hornbeck were both past Maryland State Teacher of the Year recipients. Shearer was the 2011 National Teacher of the Year.
The 2025 Maryland State Teacher of the Year will be announced at the 35th annual Maryland State Teacher of the Year Awards Gala on Friday, September 26, at Martin’s Valley Mansion in Cockeysville.