Congratulations to English orchestra director Mark Taylor who was recognized at the annual FCPS Honors event as the 2017 Region 5 Outstanding Secondary Teacher and one of five finalists for this year's Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award.

With his contagious enthusiasm and professionalism, Mark has developed one of the most diverse and popular school orchestras in FCPS. In the eight years he’s been teaching strings at Stone, enrollment in the orchestra has more than tripled. Colleagues credit his approach, which combines the high standards one would expect from a teacher who conducts research, composes and writes in his spare time with the ability to put a student’s social and emotional welfare before their musical development. “He shares his knowledge and leads with his heart,” says one. Mark says he tries to be not just a music teacher but a mentor, who offers students what they need, be it a solo performance or simply an opportunity to belong. “My challenge is to be at my best for each student in each moment,” he says. “To be in tune with them. “

• See Mr. Taylor's page on the FCPS website

Congratulations to all the Stone Middle School staff members recognized FCPS Honors.

Outstanding Secondary New Teacher School-level Recipient

• Rebecca McCabe (ESOL) 

Outstanding School-based Support Employee School and Pyramid-level Recipient

• Susan Arnold (Office Assistant)

Outstanding School-based Leader School-level Recipient

•  Ellyn Bowman (Assistant Principal)

Thank you to Amielia Mitchell for all of her hard work with the nomination process by serving as this year's awards liaison.