HCPSS Teachers Named Outstanding Middle School Mathematics Teacher and Leader of the Year

June 9th, 2026

Two Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) teachers recently were awarded with state honors. Elkridge Landing Middle School mathematics teacher and mathematics instructional team leader Rachel Hess has been honored as the 2026 Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) Outstanding Middle School Mathematics Teacher of the Year. In addition, Tiffany Palmer, who serves as a secondary mathematics coach at Mayfield Woods and Thomas Viaduct middle schools, has been named the 2026 MCTM Outstanding Mathematics Leader of the Year.

“Congratulations to both of these outstanding mathematics educators for their exceptional dedication to access, equity, and student opportunity through exemplary mathematics teaching, leading, and learning!” says Jon Wray, Howard County Public School System’s coordinator of Secondary Mathematics.

Hess and Palmer will be recognized at the 2026 MCTM Outstanding Educator Awards Banquet in October.