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Board honors teachers, principal and music educators
Summary
The board recognized Samantha Mathis and Casey Valentine as Howard County educator honorees and named Dan Notary principal of the year, and the Parents for School Music presented music educator awards to Jonathan Sindler and Jason Heaton.
At the start of its June 11 special meeting, the Howard County Board of Education recognized outstanding educators and principals for 2026. Superintendent Barnes announced Samantha Mathis (West Friendship Elementary) as Howard County Teacher of the Year and a Washington Post nominee, Casey Valentine (Lake Elkhorn Middle) as the state nominee for Howard County, and Dan Notary (Cradle Rock Elementary) as principal of the year.
The board also welcomed the Howard County Parents for School Music to present the 2026 Music Educator of the Year awards to Jonathan Sindler (band director, Mount View Middle) and Jason Heaton (guitar and modern band teacher, Oakland Mills High). Organizers said 16 nominations and more than 100 letters of support were reviewed by a selection committee and thanked community sponsors and volunteers.
The board applauded the awardees and invited the community to a reception following the meeting.
