Maryland Teacher of the Year Program

The Maryland Teacher of the Year Program, an affiliate of the National Teacher of the Year program, serves all 24 Maryland local school systems. Educators selected for Teacher of the Year demonstrate excellence in teaching and inspire others within and beyond their school communities.

Three Maryland State Teachers were selected and named National Teachers of the Year and three additional candidates were named National Finalists. The Maryland Teacher of the Year participates in numerous national events ​and ​speaking engagements.

Congratulations to the 2025 Teacher of the Year

Kat Locke-Jones
Hampstead Hill Academy
Baltimore City Public Schools

2025 Maryland Teacher of the Year Finalists

Kat Locke-Jones, Baltimore City

Stephanie Gerhold, Baltimore County

Brittany Rigdon, Cecil County

Jessica I. Nichols, Howard County

Kaitlyn Wright, Kent County

Jeremy Hillyard, Talbot County

Gabrielle C. Remington, Worcester County

2025 LEA Teachers of the Year

The Maryland Teacher of the Year selection process begins at the local education agency (LEA) and school level.

View the LEA Teachers of the Year

Baltimore City Public Schools Educator Named 2025 Maryland Teacher of the Year 

Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland State Department of Education held a special recognition...

Read the Press Release

Eligibility, Nomination & Selection

The Maryland Teacher of the Year selection process begins at the local education agency (LEA) and school level. Each district uses its own guidelines to select a Teacher of Year. To learn more about how the Teacher of the Year is selected by each LEA, contact the local coordinators.

Once the 24 LEA winners are chosen, a panel of judges narrows the candidates down to 7 finalists for Maryland Teacher of the Year. The winner is announced in October during a live ceremony at the Annual Awards Gala.

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