WORTON — It’s not often that when a teacher is receiving a surprise award, they have to take off their welding gear first.
But that was the case earlier this spring when Principal Kris Hemstetter stopped by Kevin Nelson’s classroom to present him with a certificate for being Kent County High School’s Teacher of the Year.
On Thursday evening, April 16, in his school’s auditorium, Nelson was announced as the 2026 Kent County Public Schools Teacher of the Year by Board of Education President Trish McGee.
Nelson is the automotive technology instructor for the Automotive Technology pathway in the high school’s Career and Technical Education program — hence the welding gear.
He was one of four honorees at Kent County Public Schools’ annual awards ceremony last week.
The event also celebrated the Promising Educator, the Support Employee of the Year and, new this year, the Student and Related Services Employee of the Year.
Nominees from each school were recognized in the four categories.
“Tonight, we will celebrate and honor winners from each of our buildings for the wonderful contributions they have made this past school year,” Dan Hushion, KCPS’ director of human resources, said in opening the evening’s ceremony.
Superintendent Mary McComas pointed out that Nelson is a Kent County High School graduate. He returned to his alma meter in 2008 to become the automotive instructor at the suggestion of his former teacher.
“Mr. Nelson strongly believes in passing on real-world experience and knowledge to ensure our students are prepared for the future,” McComas said.
McComas said all of the evening’s honorees exemplify the best of their profession, and that their family members — many of whom attended the ceremony — know just how hard they work.
“Every single day, they are changing lives, without a doubt,” McComas said of the honorees. “Thank you for joining us this evening as we lift up the very best Kent County has to offer for our children.”
In addition to Nelson at KCHS, the Teachers of the Year for each school are Jillian Kinnamon of Galena Elementary School, Jessica Smith of H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown, Ashley Spencer of Rock Hall Elementary School and Chris Kliever of Kent County Middle School.
Receiving his award to loud cheers and applause, Nelson said he is honored to be recognized. He spoke about how education is a team effort.
“We all know that we can’t do it without each other,” said Nelson, who will go on to compete for Maryland Teacher of the Year.
“I’ll do my best to be the best representative I can be for you all,” he said.
The Student and Related Services award recognizes certified staff members who serve in positions such as school counselor, social worker, lead teacher, teacher specialist, Judy Center staff member and Community Schools coordinator — among other roles.
Garnet Elementary School’s Maureen Ranville is the inaugural Kent County Public Schools Student and Related Services Employee of the Year. She has more than 25 years of experience as a school counselor, and is winding down her 20th year in the school system here.
“She has a unique ability to connect with students in the moments they need it most — whether offering a listening ear, guiding them through challenges or celebrating their successes, big and small,” said Vienna Walker, director of student services. “Her dedication reaches far beyond her office, touching classrooms, families and our entire school community.”
The schools’ Student and Related Services Employees of the Year are Ashley Spittel from Galena, Christine Clark from the middle school and Courtney Miller from the high school.
Henry Pelto, the technology instructional assistant at Rock Hall Elementary School, is the 2026 Support Employee of the Year for Kent County Public Schools.
“Henry prides himself on his ability to work quickly and efficiently so that faculty and staff can focus on supporting our district’s students,” said Gina Jachimowicz, director of teaching and learning. “Henry believes that giving students access to technology they may otherwise not have access to at home is crucial to their personal and professional success in the future.”
Chrissy Hanifee at Galena, Mary Johnston at Garnet, Kristine Heinefield at the middle school and Tilise Brown at the high school were recognized as their respective school’s Support Employees of the Year.
The Promising Educator Award is given to a teacher who is new to Kent County Public Schools and within the first five years of their career.
Anna Lill of Kent County High School is this year’s Promising Educator award recipient.
“Dr. Lill creates relationship-driven classrooms where students feel seen, supported and challenged to grow,” said Tracey Williams, who serves as a mentor for new teachers. “Grounded in connection, prevention and wellness, she helps students build resilience, think critically and develop the skills needed for informed, healthy decision-making.”
Kent County Middle School’s Cheryl Fracassi, the 2025 Teacher of the Year, gave the evening’s keynote address before the the 2026 award was announced.
She said being named Teacher of the Year is more than a one-time recognition. Quoting the musical “Rent,” she spoke about how being Teacher of the Year is 525,600 minutes that go by fast but are filled with amazing experiences.
Being the Kent County Public Schools Teacher of the Year also means competing for Maryland Teacher of the Year, a process that includes interviews, essay writing and visits to the White House and the State House, with new friends and connections made along the way.
“But honestly, the best part has been the unexpected moments, like complete strangers stopping me in the grocery store just to say congratulations,” Fracassi said.
“It’s been a year full of surprises, a little chaos and a lot of moments that reminded me just how meaningful this experience really is.”
Fracassi encouraged this year’s honoree to continue being who they are and doing the “real work.”
“Don’t try to be perfect. Don’t try to fit a mold,” Fracassi said. “Just be the teacher your students already know — the one who shows up, cares deeply and makes a difference in ways that don’t always get recognized, until moments like tonight.”
In closing out the ceremony, Hushion thanked everyone from the school system who worked behind the scenes to make the event happen, including John Keller, the high school’s food and beverage instructor for the Food and Beverage Management pathway, and his students for providing hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.
Hushion also thanked local business sponsors who provided gifts for the evening’s award winners: Bayside Market, Chesapeake Bank and Trust, Rhodes’ Furniture Restoration, Louisa’s Cucina Italiana, the Fleetwood Insurance Group, Java Rock, Sweet Cheeks and Hertrich of Elkton, which provides a vehicle to the Teacher of the Year for one year.
Trish McGee, owner and publisher of The Evening Enterprise, is president of the Kent County Board of Education. She did not contribute to this report.
