BALTIMORE — The Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced on Tuesday the seven finalists for the 2024-2025 Maryland Teacher of the Year award. These educators, representing local school systems across the state, will compete for the prestigious title, with the winner set to be announced on October 4 during a gala at Martin’s Valley Mansion in Baltimore.
The finalists are:
- Kat Locke-Jones, Baltimore City, Hampstead Hill Academy
- Stephanie Gerhold, Baltimore County, Woodlawn Middle School
- Brittany Rigdon, Cecil County, Cecil County School of Technology
- Jessica I. Nichols, Howard County, River Hill High School
- Kaitlyn Wright, Kent County, Kent County Middle School
- Jeremy Hillyard, Talbot County, Easton High School
- Gabrielle C. Remington, Worcester County, Stephen Decatur Middle School
“These educators exemplify excellence and lifelong learning,” said Dr. Joshua L. Michael, State Board of Education President. “They create transformative learning experiences and help our students realize their full potential.”
The Maryland Teacher of the Year will compete for the National Teacher of the Year award, to be announced in April. The winner will also serve as a speaker and advisor on statewide education issues during the 2024-2025 school year and will be honored by the President at the White House next spring.
The finalists were selected from 24 local Teachers of the Year, representing each of Maryland’s school systems. Evaluations were based on criteria such as student achievement, teaching philosophy, and community involvement.
Maryland has a strong history of national recognition in education, with three educators receiving the National Teacher of the Year award since 2006.
Additional Information on the Finalists:
- Kat Locke-Jones, Hampstead Hill Academy (Baltimore City): Locke-Jones teaches seventh-grade English language arts and is a co-founder of the mental health foundation SL24 and Sean’s House.
- Stephanie Gerhold, Woodlawn Middle School (Baltimore County): Gerhold, a Fulbright Scholar and National Board-Certified Teacher, teaches ESOL and Spanish and has over 20 years of teaching experience.
- Brittany Rigdon, Cecil County School of Technology (Cecil County): Rigdon teaches Landscaping and Horticulture Production and co-runs the school’s Floral and Greenhouse businesses.
- Jessica Nichols, River Hill High School (Howard County): Nichols teaches social studies and serves as Teacher Development Liaison and a member of the school leadership team.
- Kaitlyn Wright, Kent County Middle School (Kent County): Wright teaches seventh-grade English language arts and leads the theater program and community storytelling initiatives.
- Jeremy Hillyard, Easton High School (Talbot County): Hillyard teaches Spanish and ESOL mathematics, mentoring Spanish-speaking students and supporting Central American communities.
- Gabrielle Remington, Stephen Decatur Middle School (Worcester County): Remington is a reading specialist and serves as a leader in special education and community philanthropic outreach.
The Maryland Teacher of the Year Program is supported by sponsors including McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Baltimore, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Maryland Public Television.
