TOWSON, MD—Three Baltimore County Public Schools visual arts educators were recognized at the National Art Education Association convention in Louisville, KY, March 20-22, with four national honors and one state honor. BCPS has four national NAEA winners for the first time.

Pam Ehrenreich of Chesapeake High School received two national awards: National High School-Choice Educator of the Year and National Secondary Art Educator. Erica Hamilton of Western School of Technology was named Maryland Art Educator Outstanding National Art Honor Society Sponsor, and Raine Dawn Valentine of Ridgely Middle School was honored as National Middle Level Art Educator.

“To receive this many top awards nationally speaks to the quality of art education today in BCPS,” said Sherri Fisher, BCPS director of integrated arts. “These teachers are representative of the commitment and passion they bring to students, schools, and families daily. This number of top awards for one system is frankly unheard of.”

Fisher added, “With more than 118 years of providing art education in BCPS, we are situated in a tradition of excellence and resilience. It is important to remember how the arts carry us, bolster our spirits, strengthen our resolve, and create joy when it’s needed most. Join me in the biggest shout-out to these noted art educators, but also to all the BCPS art educators who make magic happen in schools daily.”

Ryan Twentey, BCPS coordinator of visual arts, said, “BCPS Visual Arts is committed to providing outstanding experiences in the art room, and we are incredibly proud of our dedicated art educators that have been recognized with prestigious Teacher of the Year awards at both the state and national levels. This achievement means BCPS proudly holds Art Educator of the Year titles for the state of Maryland and nationally in Middle and High School Visual Arts, as well as Choice-Based Art Education!”

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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