MCAEL's Annual Grown-Up Spelling Bee is a one-of-a-kind event celebrating and supporting adult English language learning in Montgomery County.
Join us on April 29, 2026 for a joyous night of food, drink, community, and laughter
as we cheer on the Spelling Bee teams.
Thanks to our 2026 Spelling Bee Sponsors:
Honey Bee ($3,000+)
Montgomery College
Burness
Bethesda Magazine | Bethesda Today
Stacy & Mark Parkinson
Joan Schaffer
Carpenter Bee ($1,500+)
Lerch, Early & Brewer
National Cooperative Bank
Denise & Craig Pernick
Sandglass Systems
The Hive ($1,000+)
Michelle & Don Hainbach
Marriott Bethesda Downtown
at Marriott HQ
Tenleytown Lawn & Landscape
Rivka Yerushalmi
Event Sponsor ($500+)
BannerBees
CC's Picture Perfect Photo Booth
Ann Miller
Remsberg Inc
Synergy Assurance Group
Will You BEE There?
We are just buzzing with excitement! MCAEL is excited to bring back its Spelling Bee live on April 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Cultural Arts Center, Montgomery College. Join MCAEL staff, board, providers, instructors, community leaders, local businesses and neighbors to raise money for and awareness about English language programs in Montgomery County.
Ready, Set, S-P-E-L-L!
Cheer on teams of three as they compete in the Grown-Up Spelling Bee! Last year's champion team was Burness. Will they t-r-i-u-m-p-h again, or will another team buzz away with the victory?
What's the Buzz all about?
There are over 143,000 adults in Montgomery County who indicate they could benefit from English classes. Your support makes more ESOL teaching and learning possible. Join the Montgomery Coalition of Adult English Literacy for a r-a-m-b-u-n-c-t-i-o-u-s evening to support Adult English Literacy.
The Place to Bee.
Be a part of our hive of spectators and enjoy a fun night of food, cocktails, spelling and p-h-i-l-a-n-t-h-r-o-p-y! Show your own spelling chops with the Audience Spell. Invite your friends and colleagues, and help us spread the word! #MCAELSpellingBee
Purchase a Letter!
An easy way to make a bigger impact while promoting your business or honoring a loved one. Your letter purchase helps MCAEL support more programs and reach more learners.
MCAEL People, Power, and Potential Award
Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 People, Power, & Potential Award!
Milagro Flores
Milagro Flores is the CEO, Founder, and Executive Director of Mujer Fuerza y Coraje (Strong and Courageous Women), a community-based organization dedicated to strengthening, educating, and supporting women and their families in Montgomery County for the past fifteen years. Her work stems from a deep commitment to the well-being of the Hispanic community, and the belief that when a woman becomes empowered, she transforms both her family life and her professional environment.
Bibi Mohamed
Bibi Mohamed is the ESOL Program Director for the Islamic Society of the Washington Area, where she advances equitable access to education by expanding programming and building culturally responsive, inclusive learning environments. She also serves as Program Director at Ansaar-ul-Birr Community Services, leading initiatives that address systemic barriers and connect underserved communities to essential resources, including education, food access, and social support.
Here's to our 2026 Letter Sponsors! Become a Letter Sponsor and help make an impact.
A - F
Leslie Block
Alina Ramirez Joyner
G - J
Jennifer Haydel
K - P
Renee-Lauren Ellis
Kathy Stevens
Q - Z
Sarah Burnett
Amelie Zurn-Galinsky
Tracy Greenberg
Debbie Jacobs
