MDCSS is Proud to Announce the Winners of the 2026 Social Studies Professional Awards!
Accolades for the 2026 Award Winners
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Beth Rosas
Running Brook Elementary
Howard County Public Schools
Beth Rosas is a Nationally Board-Certified teacher who has been teaching for over twenty years in Howard County, Maryland. Beth is a curriculum writer for the Elementary Social Studies Office of Howard County Public Schools as well as a member of the Social Studies Leadership Cadre. She has also been a mentor teacher for the Civics Empowers All Students Summer Institute. Her teaching experience spans grades 5-12 with a focus and expertise in Social Studies and English Language Arts. Along with being an instructional team leader, Beth has been both a mentor and model teacher for her colleagues in regard to co-teaching with special education staff. Beth has also studied and completed research in the integration of STEM into all curriculum areas to increase engagement and content retainment in students.
"Beth is the perfect example of an energetic and supportive elementary teacher who makes sure the teachers in her building feel well supported and informed about any new curriculum changes."
Marcie Taylor-Thoma
MD Council for Civic & History Education
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Fred Titus
Chesapeake High School
Anne Arundel County
"It takes a special teacher to believe in a student before they believe in themselves, and Mr. Titus was that teacher for me; he creates a space where students feel safe to challenge assumptions and think critically, leaving them 'changed for good'."
Fred Titus has dedicated the last 12 years to teaching U.S. history, with the past eight years spent shaping young minds at Chesapeake High School in Anne Arundel County. His infectious enthusiasm for the subject is evident in his commitment to connecting each student's unique background to the broader narrative of American history. By highlighting the diverse stories that comprise the nation’s past, Fred fosters a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment where every student feels valued and represented. His innovative teaching methods not only inspire a deep appreciation for the rich democratic traditions of the U.S. but also encourage students to engage critically with historical events and their implications. Through his passion and dedication, Fred Titus instills a sense of pride in his students, motivating them to explore their own roles within the tapestry of American history and to carry that pride forward into the future.
Michelle Fadele
Student
Chesapeake High School
"Mr. Titus consistently demonstrates outstanding professional qualities in his work with students, colleagues, and the broader school community, as evidenced by his remarkable student outcomes and his leadership as an advisor and mentor."
Shanna Cahoon
Principal
Chesapeake High School
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Promising New Social Studies
Teacher of the Year
Paul Haga
Urbana Middle School
Frederick County Public Schools
Paul Haga is an energetic and passionate 8th-grade American Studies teacher dedicated to helping students grow as learners, individuals, and historians. In the classroom, he incorporates primary sources and images to encourage participation from all students, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the material. He enjoys visiting historical sites to deepen his understanding of the topics he teaches and brings those firsthand experiences back to his students, helping them build connections to the content and fostering classroom relationships. A proud Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) graduate, Mr. Haga values teaching the local history he grew up surrounded by. Beyond the classroom, he serves as the Urbana Middle School (UMS) SGA Advisor, leading students to participate in all Frederick County Association of Student Governments (FCASC) and Maryland Association of Student Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) events. In 2025, the UMS SGA earned the Felix Simon Award. He also serves as a building representative for the Frederick County Teachers Association, supporting his colleagues at UMS. Additionally, Paul has worked as an MCAP question writer and has contributed to curriculum writing each year during his time with FCPS. He has also led professional development sessions at Urbana Middle School and within the FCPS Secondary Social Studies Department.
"Paul is a warm and caring demander of the highest effort his students can give; a leader who intentionally shares his expertise to strengthen instructional practice while remaining deeply committed to fostering student voice and civic engagement."
Dr. Colleen Bernard
Supervisor Social Studies & Student Leadership
Frederick County Public Schools
Selected & Conferred by
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Frederick High School
Frederick County Public Schools
Devon Ketrow
Civic Leader of the Year
"Devon exemplifies an unwavering commitment to the advancement of high-quality civic education, bridging the gap between state-level curriculum development and the creation of authentic, experiential learning for hundreds of students."
Dr. Colleen Bernard
Supervisor Social Studies & Student Leadership
Frederick County Public Schools
Ms. Devon Ketrow is a social studies teacher at Frederick High School in Frederick County Public Schools who has spent more than two decades helping students understand the principles of American democracy, the rule of law, and the responsibilities of citizenship. Through courses such as American Government, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and Law and Society, she focuses on preparing students to participate thoughtfully in civic life.
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Beyond the classroom, Ms. Ketrow works to create meaningful civic learning opportunities for students. She serves as the Frederick County Model United Nations Coordinator and organizes the Frederick County Model United Nations Conference, a regional simulation that brings together hundreds of middle and high school students each year. She has also coached Mock Trial teams and supports the Civics and Law Academy, connecting students with judges and attorneys to explore the role of law in a democratic society.
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Ms. Ketrow also contributes to civic education across Maryland through curriculum development, assessment work with the Maryland State Department of Education, and professional learning that supports civics instruction for educators throughout the state. Through her teaching and leadership, Ms. Ketrow strives to equip students with the knowledge and civic understanding needed to engage responsibly in our democratic society.
Ryan Melhorn serves as the Curriculum Supervisor for Secondary Social Studies for Carroll County Public Schools. While his work includes curriculum design and the observation and evaluation of educators, his greatest passion lies in creating experiential learning opportunities. He is deeply committed to developing programs that immerse students and teachers in meaningful, real‑world experiences that strengthen historical understanding and civic literacy.
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Before stepping into his current role, Ryan served as an assistant principal at South Western High School in Hanover, PA. He began his career as a social studies teacher at Century High School in Carroll County, where he contributed to the school’s National Blue Ribbon distinction and held multiple instructional leadership positions. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from McDaniel College.
Ashley Harford
Teacher & Department Chair
Westminster High School
Carroll County Public Schools
Social Studies Instructional
Leader of the Year
Ryan Melhorn
Carroll County Public Schools
"Ryan is a natural leader who manages with transparency and respect, empowering teachers while simultaneously expanding authentic civic opportunities—from Mock Trial to the Historical Society—to ensure local history remains accessible, relevant, and a source of community pride."
Outstanding Professional at a Social Studies-Related Organization
Nicole Maffei
Supreme Court Historical Society
"Nicole is an enthusiastic educator at heart who has greatly expanded the work of the Supreme Court Historical Society, leveraging her deep expertise in the C3 framework to engage students in enriching experiences that lead them to take informed action."
Erin Lange
Supervisor of Social Studies
Harford County Public School
Nicole joined the Society in October 2023 after teaching for 11 years in Baltimore County Public Schools. As Director of Civics Education, Nicole developed The Supreme Court and My Hometown , the Society’s innovative national civics program that provides an immersive federal court experience to high school students across the country. Nicole also created Beyond the Bench, a civics website dedicated to the history of the Supreme Court featuring case summaries, life stories, articles, infographics, and primary sources contextualized in broader American history. Both initiatives have grown exponentially since their launch in 2023, a testament to Nicole’s innovation and leadership.
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Nicole’s determination to make Supreme Court history more accessible to educators, students, and lifelong learners has helped the Society to embrace Chief Justice John Roberts’ 2019 call to action, “Civics Education is a continuing enterprise and conversation…We should celebrate a strong and independent Judiciary, a key source of national unity and stability. But we should also remember that Justice is not inevitable.”