The Literacy Council of Montgomery County presented awards to students, volunteers, staff, and community members at its 49th annual meeting on April 19, 2012. 

• Rockville residents Brian Crowe and Alfredo Muñoz were named "Tutor/Student Pair of the Year."
• Susan McLaughlin, a resident of Rockville, was named "ESL Teacher of the Year."  McLaughlin was recognized for her excellence in teaching and devotion to her students who are learning English as a Second Language.    
• Lynn Balabanis, a resident of Silver Spring, was named "Teacher of the Year" in  recognition for her work in developing the Literacy Council's English for Daily Living class program for parents of elementary school children.  She has served as a teacher at various partner-school sites throughout Montgomery County since 2007.
• Silver Spring resident Laura Siegelbaum was named "English for Daily Living Advocate" for her contributions as a teacher and for her role in training new teachers for that program. 
• Carol Dymond, a Gaithersburg resident, received the "Outstanding Group Leader" award for the impact she has made on the lives of students in her conversation class for advanced learners.
• Marsha Vonduerckheim of Barnesville was awarded the "ESL Teaching Assistant of the Year" award for her devotion to the Literacy Council's adult students and her willingness to assist with testing and other administrative duties.
• The Literacy Council's "Persistence Award" was presented to tutor Catharine Ratiner of Silver Spring and student Luchia Ghebreslaie of Sandy Spring.  
• The "Community Partner of the Year" was presented to The Catalogue for Philanthropy in recognition of their work in promoting a culture of giving in the Washington, DC metro area, with special focus on smaller nonprofit organizations.