Brice Dawson almost left Ellicott Mills Middle School a few years ago when he thought he'd like to change careers. He got a Top Secret security clearance and had an offer to work for the National Security Agency.

If, later, he decided to return to teaching, he probably could. But, his wife told him, it was unlikely that he'd be able to return to Ellicott Mills.

Instead of leaving the school, he redoubled his efforts to become a great teacher, and people took notice. This week, Dawson, a 7^th grade social studies teacher, was nominated by the Ellicott Mills PTA for the Washington Post's Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.

And he's in good company.

Ellicott Mills Principal Michael Goins has been nominated for the Agnes Meyer Distinguished Educational Leadership Award.

Dawson said he had no notion that he had been nominated. He was just getting his last class started Monday when, from "the depths of the classroom, I see, one by one, the principal comes in … there are balloons … members of the PTA …

It was a great surprise."

In addition to being a surprise, it is also a validation of sorts for Dawson. "After I closed the door to leaving education, I just doubled down on really trying to hone the craft and get better," he said. "That's why this award is very gratifying."

Dawson, an Elkridge resident, is a Howard County native; he graduated from Oakland Mills High School and went to then-Owen Brown Middle School, now Cradlerock School.

Goins, who had worked at Owen Brown during his 30-something-years in the administration, said that he thinks he and Dawson just missed each other – Dawson, of course, would have been a student then.

The nomination was also a surprise for Goins, who lives in Woodstock. When the PTA called him out of the office to make the announcement, "To be honest, because they had blue and white balloons, and we are a Blue Ribbon School … I thought it had something to do with that."

Goins says it's sappy, but his favorite part of the job is just being there. "It really is just a nice place to be. Parents are very gracious. The teachers are a very committed group."

Dawson embodies that commitment. After deciding to stay at Ellicott Mills, he went on to earn National Board Certification and has devoted himself to his craft. 

"I teach a lot of anecdotes and stories," Dawson said, "but the subject itself, it's just an engaging subject. It's the world. It's cultures. What's not to like?" He said having kids from around the world makes the experience that much richer. "My favorite thing is seeing the kids make connections from their world to the larger world around them."

Although Goins' nomination is supposed to be an acknowledgment of his contributions to the school's success, he said that's hard to accept.

"I feel that it's not just me. It's a parent community. We have great teaching staff. We have great kids. It's not just me."

Parents, students, teachers and staff at Ellicott Mills can write letters of support for both nominiees. Signed letters must be dropped off by Thursday, Dec. 23 at the school's front office. Check the Ellicott Mills PTA website for award criteria and sample letters.