Kat Locke-Jones will represent Maryland at the national competition.

BALTIMORE – Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) is excited to announce that its 2024 Teacher of the Year, Kat Locke-Jones, is Maryland’s Teacher of the Year!

Locke-Jones was one of seven finalists from around the state and will now represent Maryland in the National Teacher of the Year (TOY) program. This program recognizes outstanding elementary, middle, and high school teachers who are excellent instructors and education leaders in their schools and communities.

Locke-Jones, who teaches seventh-grade English Language Arts at Hampstead Hill Academy, was surrounded by family, friends, and staff when her name was called tonight during the state-wide announcement.

Locke-Jones believes that creating brave spaces for students means reflecting their authentic light back to them.

Locke-Jones earned her English Education degree from the University of Delaware (2013) and her M.S.Ed from Johns Hopkins University (2015). Locke-Jones is cofounder of SL24 and Sean’s House, a mental health foundation focused on educating, assisting, and supporting students. As a 2023 TOY Finalist, 2024 City Schools TOY, and now Maryland's TOY, she feels incredibly lucky to teach 7th grade ELA at Hampstead Hill Academy. When she’s not trying to be “the best worst dancer” in her classroom, she is passionate about teaching students to write and tell their own stories.

Locke-Jones is the 5^th Baltimore City Public Schools teacher to win Maryland’s Teacher of the Year since 2014. Thank you, Kat Locke-Jones, for representing City Schools educators and their relentless commitment to excellence in teaching and growing our city's next generation.

Kat Locke-Jones named Maryland State 2024 Teacher of the Year Pictured from left to right:

Dr. Joshua L. Michael, Maryland State Board President; Dr. Sonja Santelises, City Schools' CEO; Kat Locke-Jones, Baltimore City and Maryland State Teacher of the Year; and Dr. Carey M. Wright, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools.

Learn more about City Schools’ Teachers of the Year HERE.