Three Finalists Named for MCPS Teacher of the Year
Three teachers have been named finalists for the 2025–2026 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher of the Year. They are: Meredith Luther, kindergarten teacher at Rock Creek Forest Elementary School; Megan Campbell, instrumental music teacher at Parkland Middle School; and Pete Beach, social studies teacher at Richard Montgomery High School.
Read more about the finalists:
“Walking into Ms. Luther’s classroom is like stepping into a world of discovery and wonder—her passion for teaching and her ability to create an engaging, inclusive and supportive environment are unparalleled.”
—Lavina Carrillo, Principal, Rock Creek Forest Elementary School
Every morning, Meredith Luther, kindergarten teacher at Rock Creek Forest Elementary School, begins class with a series of affirmations to set the tone for the day:
“I am kind, I am smart, I am funny, I am a friend,
“I am a leader, I am important, I am safe, I am loved.”
She believes that this helps her students build confidence in themselves. Luther demonstrates and models that doing your best does not look the same for everyone. She works with students to help them set different goals and to understand that difficult doesn’t mean impossible.
Luther fosters a culture of respect and inclusion. Her collaboration with the school’s autism team creates an environment where all children feel celebrated and supported. Parents says her classroom radiates warmth and positivity. She is empathetic, listens to parents, responds in a timely way and thoughtfully addresses concerns. She engages families through monthly mystery readers, consistent communication and proactive outreach to ensure every student’s attendance and success. She pays attention to the smallest details—a child having a sad moment who might need a minute of comfort, a frustration with a classmate that needs to be worked out, a rough transition from home where someone needs a hug.
Her classroom culture is structured around being mindful of how words and actions impact ourselves and others, and learning to work with those around them even when there is conflict. She also connects with families from the beginning of the year, and sets a goal to communicate at least one positive, personal story in the first two weeks of school with each individual family from her class.
As co-coordinator of the No Place for Hate program, she promotes equity and cultural understanding. She is also actively involved in community outreach, co-chairing events such as STEAM Night and Family Literacy Nights. She is also the elected faculty representative, and works closely with the principal to improve school systems and address staff needs, always advocating for improving school culture and climate. She is an inspirational colleague, leader and collaborator.
“Mrs. Campbell is my absolute favorite teacher in the entire school! … When I first started 6th grade, I switched to a new instrument, the bass. I didn’t know how to read the bass clef or even which string was which but Mrs. Campbell gave me tips and always went over the parts that I didn’t understand. Now I’m first bass and it was all thanks to her!”
—Lina Martinez, 8th Grade Student, Parkland Middle School
Megan Campbell, instrumental music teacher at Parkland Middle School, began teaching in MCPS in 2015.
Campbell holds high expectations for her students. When arriving at Parkland in 2020, during the pandemic, her vision was to bring Parkland ensembles to MCPS musical adjudications, something the school had not attended in years. She believes that student musicians have risen to the occasion—working hard to learn instruments, rehearsing with peers, finding the courage for performances and, instead of taking a break the day after a concert, wanting to learn new music.
Campbell believes that all students can learn music. She started her MCPS career at John F. Kennedy High School, where she taught band, orchestra, guitar and International Baccalaureate music, as well as leading marching band, pep band, jazz band, and pit orchestra and chamber ensembles. She grew that program, introduced them to the competitive marching band world and led the Marching Cavaliers to fourth in the state in their division at the state championships.
At Parkland, she teaches 10 percent of Parkland’s 1,195 enrolled students. Her students are racially and ethnically diverse, and she also teaches students with varying abilities. She is particularly proud to have a student with Down syndrome in this year’s orchestra, a violinist who has flourished in her classroom and often volunteers to demonstrate passages for her peers.
The number of students enrolled in band and orchestra at Parkland has increased by more than 75 percent. The retention rate for her ensembles was 95 percent coming into this year, and she expects that to continue.
Her students perform regularly at school and community events, and she organizes a trip to Hersheypark every year for her students to perform in a competitive setting.
Her students have earned at least Excellent ratings at every adjudication event since she has been at Parkland, with her 2023 band and her 2024 orchestra earning Superior ratings. She contributed to the founding of the MCPS Marching Band Showcase and initiated the Middle School Massed Band Performance of the national anthem. She manages Senior All-County Orchestra and coaches the woodwinds for the Albert Einstein Marching Titans.
“… Mr. Beach does his work in [the] trenches, shoulder to shoulder with students, motivating learning, unscrambling learning, extending understanding. … His classes are filled to the brim with English language learners, students with IEPs and reluctant learners. He meets them where they are and they grow.”
—Todd Stillman, Social Studies Resource Teacher, Richard Montgomery High School
At Richard Montgomery High School, Pete Beach’s social studies classroom is a community. One of his greatest strengths is his skill in engaging students of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Whether teaching students with varying learning styles, language barriers or different academic levels, he adapts his instruction to meet their needs. His ability to tailor teaching for students who have found great success in school and for those who have struggled has been recognized by leaders and colleagues. He had been tapped by the county to train other new Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History teachers and has advised middle school teachers on how best to prepare students for the rigors of AP coursework. At the same time, his classroom has been praised as a model for inclusion teaching and learning for students with behavioral challenges.
His U.S. History class consistently stands out as one of the most memorable experiences for students at Richard Montgomery, where Beach has taught since 2001. He is kid-focused and has a knack for making history come alive, sparking curiosity and inspiring critical thinking—an impressive feat for a population who may prefer to focus on their phones.
He finds a way to ensure that every student, regardless of their ability level, is challenged to reach their fullest potential. Through structured lessons and personalized feedback, he holds students accountable while offering the support they need to succeed. He is always asking, “How does this help kids?” and doesn’t shy away from taking on the ‘difficult’ kids, who often thrive in his classroom.
Beach serves as a mentor by teaching students who struggle to succeed in a large, comprehensive high school. He goes beyond academic instruction to teach essential skills including time management, problem solving and resilience. With a deep understanding of their individual challenges, he provides a safe and encouraging space for these students to express themselves and ask for help.
He also isn’t afraid to have fun. He shows the kids pictures of himself from childhood at historical landmarks, which sparks interesting discussions. He takes students on a field trip that explores the history of Richard Montgomery High School and the students who have walked its halls, most notably graduates who gave their lives in service to the country, a fantastic opportunity to connect with teenagers of the past.
Beach is also advisor to The Tide, the student newspaper, the coach for debate team, sponsor of the Habitat for Humanity Club and the lead judge at Maryland History Day.
The MCPS Teacher of the Year will be announced during an awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 6. The winner will go on to compete for Maryland Teacher of the Year.