Monocacy Elementary students cheer for FCPS Teacher of the Year
Fourth and fifth grade students were led to a decorated cafeteria adorned with blue and green balloons — the elementary school's colors.
The students readied themselves to surprise Soward with the 2025-26 Frederick County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award.
Fourth and fifth graders gathered at the cafeteria's tables while school system officials, community partners and Soward's family sat in rows across the stage.
Soward descended the cafeteria's ramp, and her eyes immediately landed on her students. As she began to realize what was happening, the cafeteria erupted in claps and cheers.
2025-26 FCPS Teacher of the Year Surprise
ALonna Soward, the 2025-26 FCPS Teacher of the Year, is surprised by fourth and fifth grade students at Monocacy Elementary School on Tuesday. As she walked into the silent room, the students erupted in cheers.
Soward said in an interview after the celebration that she "wasn't even thinking" there would be a surprise for her in the cafeteria.
"It just goes to show how our Monocacy family really cares and extends past just the school," she said. "To reach out to my family and my husband, that was super exciting."
Once Soward was seated on stage with her family, FCPS Superintendent Cheryl Dyson said the fourth grade teacher was "fantastic," and would represent the district well at the state-level competition.
Barnes also spoke at the lectern in the crowded cafeteria, and said Soward, who has taught at the school for six years, "really does represent the best of the best here at Monocacy."
2025 Teacher of the Year
Students line the halls during a clap out to celebrate ALonna Soward, a fourth grade teacher at Monocacy Elementary School, center, following a surprise ceremony at the school to recognize her as the Frederick County Public Schools 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year on Tuesday.
He said in an interview after the ceremony that Soward began at the elementary school as a student teacher when she was a senior at Hood College, and he's been her principal "the whole time."
"I'm extremely proud of ALonna. I'm extremely proud," he said. "I've seen her really work so hard since she was a student teacher with us to becoming a teacher, so to see that growth and to see where she is now, it's just ... You're proud of her."
At the ceremony, Soward was presented with a $2,000 check from Ferko Maryland Federal Credit Union; a $2,025 check from Educational Systems Federal Credit Union; a $3,000 check from Dynamic Automotive; and a collection of gift cards from businesses in downtown Frederick, including Brewer's Alley and Curious Iguana bookshop.
She also spoke at the lectern. With tears in her eyes, she told her students that "you guys are why I'm here."
"I love you all, and I show up to work every day because of you," Soward said. "When I'm challenging you and I'm pushing you, it's because I know that you can achieve things."
She was then "clapped out" of the cafeteria by students lining the hallways all the way to the school's media center for a reception.
2025 Teacher of the Year
ALonna Soward, a fourth grade teacher at Monocacy Elementary School, center, wipes a tear as Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Dyson, at the podium, speaks during a surprise ceremony at the school to recognize Soward as the Frederick County Public Schools 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year on Tuesday.
Soward and her husband, Nathaniel Puryear Jr., got married on April 17 in Jamaica. Monday was Soward's first day back at school after their honeymoon.
Puryear said he received a call from Barnes with the news while in Jamaica. Even though Soward heard Barnes on the phone and was a little suspicious, "if someone tells me a secret, it'll stay a secret," Puryear said.
"I was like, 'Oh, no, [Barnes] just called to say congrats. He just wanted to talk to me alone and give me some wedding advice,'" Puryear said he told Soward. "I was able to play that off, and I had to think of that on the fly."
Puryear said Soward is hardworking and dedicated, and it shows in how much time and care she puts into her job.
"It was just great seeing someone that I love get to experience that, but also to see all the love and support that she gets, not just from coworkers, but her students as well," he said. "Just being able to watch that myself is awesome."
Soward grew up in Frederick County and graduated from Frederick High School and Hood College. She said being able to represent her home school district at the state level is "really special" and "super surreal."
Once all school districts in Maryland announce their representative, a panel of judges narrows the list to seven finalists. One winner is announced in October during an Annual Awards Gala.
"When I decided I wanted to be a teacher ... never in my wildest dreams did I think it would lead me here," Soward said. "I'm only six years in. I have so much more work to do, and so many more kids and colleagues to collaborate with and impact. It's just very surreal."
Lonna Soward, ALonna Soward's mother, said in an interview that she was honored just to be present at the celebration.
"I'm just very proud of who she is and all of the hard work that she puts in," Lonna Soward said. "She loves her students. She loves what she does, and she has the passion for what she does."
She added that her daughter is "a great representation" for FCPS.
"She has always been a shining star in our lives, and I am just so proud of her," Lonna Soward said. "I cannot wait to see how far she is going to go."
ALonna Soward said teaching students how to add and subtract fractions is important, but "the type of person they grow up to be is what matters more."
"I feel like as elementary school teachers, we're that foundation. I have them for 180 days," she said. "For that 180 days, I just try to pour into them. Whether they remember me or not, I hope they remember the lessons, the life lessons."
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