Jonathan Liston, engineering teacher at Henry E. Lackey High School, was recently recognized for the impact that he had on his former student who was named as a Merrill Scholar for 2026-2027. Liston received the teacher-mentor award through the program at the University of Maryland. The Merrill Scholar program honors the university’s most successful seniors and the mentors who have encouraged and inspired them in kindergarten through 12th grade and college.
Lackey graduate Raymond Guzzone recognized Liston for his positive impact on students as well as his honesty, guidance and care.
Before coming to Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), the Greensboro College graduate started his career working for the government with his math degree. Liston was working for the U.S. Navy before shifting his career to education starting his career at Lackey. “I just wanted to help kids understand math,” he said. “It was a dying skill.”
He taught math for four years before becoming a teacher in the Project Lead the Way: Engineering pathway at the school in 2005. Liston helped spearhead the pathway at additional CCPS high schools when it was first implemented at select schools.
Liston wants to help all of his students understand course content and ensure each leave with something that they can contribute to their future in the workforce. He remembered teaching Guzzone’s siblings prior to him in the pathway at Lackey. “I hope that Ray’s experience is typical of every student that I teach,” Liston said. “I try to make sure all of my kids have a positive experience.”
Stacy Bonilla, a Lackey senior, admires Liston’s teaching style and the influence he has made in her academic career. “Mr. Liston makes class super fun in an engaging way and doesn’t make learning a chore,” she said. “I am a more responsible person because he is consistent with his expectations.”
Students in his capstone class who have had him from freshman year to senior year express similar sentiments. They said Liston has positively influenced them to pursue a degree in engineering after high school. Lackey Senior Zion Nelson said that he enjoys hands-on activities to strengthen what he has learned in the class and that his love for engineering grew with the instruction of Liston.
Liston understands the importance of creating a fun and engaging learning environment as he is a product of CCPS, attending from elementary through high school.
The late Philip Merrill, a publisher and philanthropist, created the scholars program to build a community of scholars, faculty members and teachers of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who recognize the importance of teaching and mentoring, according to information provided by the University of Maryland.
Each year the University of Maryland honors outstanding seniors and confers on them the designation of Merrill Presidential Scholars. The scholars are selected by the academic colleges and schools with undergraduate major programs.
