TOWSON, MD—Four Baltimore County Public Schools educators have earned statewide honors from the Maryland Art Education Association. In addition, the BCPS Office of Visual Arts has selected nine district-level award winners.

State- and district-level awards will be presented during the 2024 MAEA virtual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m., to be followed by a Summer Celebration at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, on Sunday, June 2 from 1-4 p.m.

“We are so proud of the dedicated professionals being honored by the Maryland Art Education Association and our own Office of Visual Arts,” said Ryan Twentey, BCPS visual arts coordinator. “Creativity flourishes in these teachers’ classrooms, and their own artistic practices inform their teaching. They create safe and encouraging environments and engaging and culturally responsive lessons that empower student leadership and student voice. Beyond their classrooms, these educators organize exhibitions and activities that foster community engagement in the arts and serve as leaders in the arts education community in Maryland.”

The BCPS statewide award winners are:

Maryland Elementary Art Educator of the Year
Antoinette Hagerich, Chatsworth School

Maryland Secondary Art Educator of the Year Award
Pam Ehrenreich, Chesapeake High School

Maryland Outstanding National Art Honor Society Sponsor of the Year
Erica Hamilton, Western School of Technology

Linda Popp Leadership Award
Raine Valentine, Ridgely Middle School

The BCPS district-level award winners are:

BCPS Educator as Practicing Artist Award
Lara Grace, Ridgely Middle School

BCPS Outstanding National Art Honor Society Sponsor
Lindsay Miller, Towson High School

BCPS Emeritus Elementary Art Educator
Jen Mesaros, Office of Visual Arts

BCPS Novice Elementary Art Educator
Courtney Payne, Elmwood Elementary School

BCPS Career Elementary Art Educator
Stephanie Pickron, Dundalk Elementary School

BCPS Novice Middle Level Art Educator
Jenn Widmayer, Perry Hall Middle School

BCPS Career Middle Level Art Educator
Kathryn Knight, Parkville Middle School

BCPS Novice Secondary Art Educator
Kari Gillman, Parkville High School

BCPS Career Secondary Art Educator
Leigh Caputo, Woodlawn High School