• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
The Archdiocese of Baltimore announced the 2023 Archdiocesan and Independent Catholic School Teachers of the Year during surprise visits to each school May 10. From left, Julie Guenther, MaryClare Cernik and Karen Montoya. (Photos courtesy of Archdiocese of Baltimore Schools)

Archdiocese of Baltimore announces 2023 Teachers of the Year

May 11, 2023
By Catholic Review Staff
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

Dr. Donna Hargens, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, announced the 2023 Archdiocesan and Independent Catholic School Teachers of the Year during surprise visits to each school May 10.

Julie Guenther  

Julia Guenther from School of the Incarnation in Gambrills was named Archdiocesan Elementary School Teacher of the Year, and Karen Montoya from Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn was named Archdiocesan High School Teacher of the Year. 

MaryClare Cernik from Mercy High School in Baltimore was named Independent Catholic High School Teacher of the Year.

The honorees were selected by the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Teacher of the Year Committee, which includes Department of Catholic Schools administrators and archdiocesan school board members. The committee selected Guenther and Montoya from 40 archdiocesan elementary and secondary Teacher of the Year nominees, all of whom were the recipients of their school’s 2023 Teacher of the Year award. 

Cernik was selected from teachers nominated by principals of independent Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. 

MaryClare Cernik

The committee’s decision was based on each nominee’s demonstration of Catholic identity, innovative instruction, professionalism and leadership.

“We are thrilled to announce the 2023 Teachers of the Year, Mrs. Guenther, Mrs. Montoya, and Mrs. Cernik,” Hargens said in a May 10 news release. “With unwavering dedication, they embody teaching excellence in our Catholic schools, inspiring all educators within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. 

“Their passion for education and commitment to student growth exemplify the heart and soul of Catholic educators. By nurturing students’ gifts and instilling faith and compassion, they make remarkable contributions to our school communities. We are proud to honor them for their outstanding dedication to the mission of Catholic education.”

Guenther has 35 years teaching experience and currently teaches first grade at the School of the Incarnation. 

Karen Montoya

“As a teacher of young children, I have an amazing opportunity to form their hearts and minds to love God and see his hands in the world around us,” Guenter said.

Montoya, with 32 years teaching experience in the archdiocese, currently teaches honors chemistry at Archbishop Spalding High. 

“Catholic schools allow me to not only help my students grow academically, but to also grow to become adults who are faith-filled and service-oriented citizens,” Montoya said.

Cernik has 14 years teaching experience and currently teaches computer science and International Baccalaureate Middle Years Design Technology at Mercy. 

“I chose to teach in a Catholic school because I knew I wanted to give back to the community that strengthened me,” she said. “I knew I wanted to inspire students to change the world, make it a better and kinder place and to know the power that God gave their own two hands.”

The Department of Catholic Schools will recognize Guenther, Montoya and Cernik, along with the 2023 school-level Teacher of the Year winners, at the 2023 Convocation of Catholic Schools, Aug. 24 at Church of the Nativity in Timonium.  

Read More Schools

PIE Back to School Breakfast aims for $200,000 for scholarships

Frank Bramble, 75, put his business skills to charitable use throughout archdiocese

St. Maria Goretti High School faces uncertain future after difficult decision by archdiocese

Catholic high school teacher fired for covering up previous employment, sex services charges

Catholic educators help students, families form healthy relationships with technology

Appeals court finds Christian student athlete group should be reinstated as public school club

Copyright © 2023 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Catholic Review Staff

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Baltimore’s beloved Brooks Robinson, Catholic convert, dies at 86
  • Archbishop Lori will ordain 14 permanent deacons Sept. 30
  • Frank Bramble, 75, put his business skills to charitable use throughout archdiocese
  • ‘The most equitable path for all victim-survivors’ – Archdiocese of Baltimore files for Chapter 11 reorganization
  • Fire in packed hall turns wedding joy into tragedy in northern Iraq, killing more than 100

| Latest Local News |

‘The most equitable path for all victim-survivors’ – Archdiocese of Baltimore files for Chapter 11 reorganization

Mount Calvary parishioners combines music, farming and family

New chief advancement officer for Archdiocese of Baltimore sees role as support for ministry

| Latest World News |

‘Not soldiers but knights’: Catholic mother mourns son and ‘brilliant’ generation slain in Ukraine

Aliens, demons or PSYOPS? Catholics study, debate UFO allegations

New cardinals have great hopes for synod on synodality

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Aliens, demons or PSYOPS? Catholics study, debate UFO allegations
  • ‘Not soldiers but knights’: Catholic mother mourns son and ‘brilliant’ generation slain in Ukraine
  • New cardinals have great hopes for synod on synodality
  • Sen. Dianne Feinstein, remembered for ‘extraordinary’ legacy and Barrett controversy, dies at 90
  • ‘The most equitable path for all victim-survivors’ – Archdiocese of Baltimore files for Chapter 11 reorganization
  • New cardinals say building church unity is urgent need
  • New cardinals bring experience of ‘peripheries’ to universal church
  • Movie Review: ‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’
  • Cupich: Embracing ‘integral ethic of solidarity’ key to living the Gospel in polarized times

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED