ALonna Soward-Puryear holds a Master of Science in educational leadership  and a Bachelor of Arts in elementary/special education from Hood College. Her leadership, advocacy and impact gained Soward-Puryear recognition as the 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year. She is a targeted interventionist in math and reading for first, third and fourth grade at Monocacy Elementary School in Frederick, Maryland.

Soward-Puryear actively contributes to growth through the School Improvement Team and the Systemic Team for Blueprint Implementation. She mentors novice teachers, fostering instructional excellence, and promotes a community of academic growth through initiatives such as the Ready for Pre-K/K and the ELEVATE summer programs. She finds great value in creating a classroom grounded in equity, ensuring that each learner can thrive.

Through innovative, engaging practices, Soward-Puryear connects students deeply to their learning experiences. She embeds culturally responsive teaching in her instructional design, recognizing and leveraging students’ diverse cultural backgrounds as assets to learning and ensuring that all students see themselves in the curriculum and feel empowered to engage. Her passion for student success drives her commitment to creating equitable, enriching learning environments.