Archdiocese of Baltimore announces 2023 Teachers of the Year

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.

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. 

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. 

“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.  

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