During surprise visits to three schools, the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Superintendent of Catholic Schools Dr. Donna Hargens announced May 9 the 2024 Archdiocesan and Independent Catholic School Teachers of the Year.
Emma Ward, from St. Joseph School (Cockeysville), was named Archdiocesan Elementary School Teacher of the Year and Kimberly Burton, from Archbishop Curley High School, was named Archdiocesan High School Teacher of the Year. Phil Bressler, from Calvert Hall College High School, was named Independent Catholic High School Teacher of the Year.
The Teacher of the Year recipients were selected by the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Teacher of the Year Committee, comprised of Department of Catholic Schools leadership. The committee selected Ward and Burton from 40 archdiocesan elementary and secondary Teacher of the Year nominees, all of whom were the recipients of their school’s 2024 Teacher of the Year award.
Bressler 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 Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Burton, and Mr. Bressler as the 2024 Teachers of the Year. Their unwavering dedication epitomizes teaching excellence within the Archdiocese of Baltimore,” Hargens said. “These exceptional educators inspire colleagues with their passion for education and steadfast commitment to student growth. They embody the heart and soul of Catholic education, nurturing students’ talents while fostering faith and compassion. Their remarkable contributions to our school communities make us proud to honor them for their outstanding dedication to the mission of Catholic education.”
Ward, who teaches first grade at St. Joseph, said: “Throughout my teaching career, I have learned to be a reflective practitioner and make adjustments. While I am growing and adapting, these are the core values that I believe are crucial for the students’ and teachers’ success,” Ward said, describing her teaching philosophy. Ward chose to become a Catholic educator because she is able to help her community “grow academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.”
Burton, a science teacher at Archbishop Curley, serves as the science department chair. She teaches AP biology, honors biology, Concepts in Anatomy, and Topics in Biotechnology. She also serves as an assistant swim coach and is the founding moderator for the club for future health professionals.
“Catholic education allows faith, community and education to intersect with one another,” said Burton of her motivation for becoming a Catholic School educator. “Celebrating and developing faith is a cornerstone of my teaching philosophy.”
Bressler has more than 25 years of teaching experience and currently teaches economics at Calvert Hall. “I believe that to be an effective teacher you need to hold your students to high expectations while providing them with high support. The core of my teaching belief is that my job is not to present material, but to have my students master material,” Bressler said.
The Department of Catholic Schools will recognize all three, along with the 2024 school-level Teacher of the Year winners, at the 2024 Convocation of Catholic Schools, Aug. 22 at the Church of the Nativity in Timonium.
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