May 8 was a big day for Padua Academy and Mount Aviat Academy graduate Kat Locke-Jones.
The seventh-grade English teacher at Hampstead Hill Academy was named Baltimore City Public Schools 2024 Teacher of the Year.
“Ms. Locke-Jones is passionate about teaching students to write and tell their own stories and believes that creating brave spaces for students means reflecting their authentic light back to them,” read a post on the city schools website announcing the winner.
“Thank you for representing city schools educators and their relentless commitment to excellence in teaching and growing the next generation of our city.”
Locke-Jones earned her English education degree from the University of Delaware in 2013 and masters from Johns Hopkins University in 2015. She is cofounder of SL24 and Sean’s House, a mental health foundation named in memory of her brother and focused on educating, assisting and supporting students.
She is a city schools model teacher and was 2023 teacher of the year finalist. She was chosen from among 10 semifinalists this year.
“When she’s not trying to be ‘the best worst dancer’ in her classroom, she’s passionate about teaching students to write and tell their own stories,” according to the schools website.
