Mayor Bowser, Ed Fund mark 16 Years of Celebrating DCPS Educators
Featured2026 Standing Ovation Awards recognize excellence in teaching, school leadership, and support
(Washington, DC) — Last month marked the annual return of the DC Public Education Fund’s Standing Ovation Awards to the DC Public Schools (DCPS) community.
For 2026, 22 individuals and schools were named awardees, spotlighting the dedication and achievements of the educators and staff who empower DCPS students to reach their full potential. Ed Fund hosted its 16th Standing Ovation ceremony at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium.
Among the awardees was Dr. Grace Reid, Principal of Barnard Elementary School in Ward 4. Dr. Reid won the award for Outstanding School Leader of the Year, something she said she could not have achieved alone. “An award like this is not an individual feat,” she explained. “It is years of pushing for excellence and drawing upon the strength of your team.”
“I want to say thank you to my staff,” Dr. Reid added. “This is our shared success. My team here at Barnard is really the spirit behind this award, allowing me to lead, to collaborate.”
Dr. Grace Reid (left) of Barnard Elementary School with DCPS Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee.
Dr. Reid’s legacy of excellence at Barnard began in 2000, when she joined the staff as a school counselor. She reflected on what keeps her returning to Barnard year after year; first and foremost, her students. “They are the reason that I do this job,” she said. “It’s not about receiving accolades; we do it for the children that we serve.”
Also recognized at Standing Ovation this year was Cara Marbury, who won the Outstanding Educator of the Year award. Ms. Marbury is a dedicated special education teacher at Anne Beers Elementary School in Ward 7, known for her innovative approach to teaching and an unwavering commitment to students’ success.
Ms. Marbury was initially suspicious when Principal Kennard Branch came to her class in December for what seemed to be an unplanned teacher observation session. Her suspicions only grew when Assistant Principal Christy Moore joined Principal Branch. “I thought, ‘What’s going on? Am I having a double evaluation?’”
Cara Marbury (left) of Anne Beers Elementary School with Dallas Lee, Instructional Superintendent of Cluster 8.
Her questions were answered moments later when DCPS Chancellor, Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, entered the room to let her know that she was selected as the Outstanding Educator of the Year awardee.
“It was shocking because, you know, I’m a self-contained teacher,” she said.
The recognition has encouraged Ms. Marbury to reflect on the impact of her work with special education learners at Beers. “People are noticing what I’ve been doing all these years! I’m helpful, and I actually do make a difference.” A teacher at Beers since 2010, Ms. Marbury noted she still keeps in touch with most of her former students.
Ms. Marbury’s teaching style, which approaches special education from a place of emphatic positivity, rather than just from a place of tolerance, stems from her belief that students on the autism spectrum can do anything they set their mind to. “It’s not that people with autism cannot learn, it’s that they learn differently. Once you’re able to figure out how you can teach them something, the sky is the limit; they can be successful in anything they want to do.”
Other awards at Standing Ovation included the M. Shanita Burney Family Engagement Award, presented to Garfield Elementary School in Ward 8, and the School Improvement Award, presented to Ward 6’s Stuart-Hobson Middle School. Principals Jon Rolle and Eric Fraser accepted the awards on behalf of their schools, respectively. Excellence Awards for School Leaders were presented to Principal Lucas Cooke of MacFarland Middle School, Principal Eric Dabney of Kimball Elementary School, and Principal Amanda Perz of Wheatley Education Campus.
