Baltimore City Public Schools -

Hampstead Hill Academy
English Language Arts – 7th Grade 

Kat 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 BCPS model teacher and 2023 TOY Finalist, 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’s passionate about teaching students to write and tell their own stories. 

Favorite Quote: “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”  – Edith Wharton

Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School
Kindergarten 

Molly Snyderman teaches kindergarten at The Commodore John Rodgers School. She has been a classroom teacher for eight years. Molly has experience teaching kindergarten and elementary SPED and is trained in LETRS. This year, she is part of the Science of Reading Professional Learning Facilitator Fellowship, 100% Project Kindergarten Fellow, acts as a Facilitator for Systematic PD related to the Science of Reading, organizes Parent Literacy Workshops, leads after-school tutoring, and is a Model Teacher. She is passionate about the science of reading and sharing effective, evidence-based literacy practices to empower scholars to unlock their literacy potential. 

Favorite Quote: “Informed teachers are our best insurance against reading failure. While programs are very helpful tools, programs don’t teach; teachers do.” – Dr. Louisa Moats

ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School
Vocal Music

Brandon A. Booth, a native of Baltimore, MD, 16-year educator, and Arts Department Chair at ConneXions: A Community-Based Arts School, is passionate about teaching, learning, and music literacy! As a skilled conductor and composer, his unique teaching style has exposed his students to various opportunities within the art world, evidenced by National Competition winnings at ‘Festival Disney,’ ‘Music in the Parks,’ ‘Golden Mickey- First Place,’ ‘Best In Class,’ and ‘Outstanding Soloist’ awards. His creative ingenuity captivates students, performers, and audiences alike. Brandon holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Messiah University and a Bachelor of Science in Music Engineering from Hampton University.  

Favorite Quote: “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” - Walt Disney

Graceland Park/O'Donnell Heights Elementary/Middle School
Kindergarten

LaToya's academic journey began on the shores of St. Croix, where she cultivated a thirst for knowledge and a desire to excel. Her educational path led her to the University of Tampa, where she earned her undergraduate degree. Building upon her undergraduate studies, LaToya continued to advance her education at Johns Hopkins University, where she obtained a Master of Arts in Teaching.  

LaToya's professional journey in education spans over a decade, showcasing her expertise and passion for early childhood development. LaToya shines as a Kindergarten Teacher and Leader at her school, fostering a supportive environment for her students and colleagues.  

Favorite Quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. – Nelson Mandela

Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School
Kindergarten

Ashley has a passion for providing hands-on, inquiry-based learning through STEM, engineering, and Primary Talent Development. She has developed professional learning sessions for BCPSS and the NAAEE, MAEOE, and MEGS conferences.  Ashley was a lead teacher in helping FSK earn Pre-K Accreditation.  She’s working on a Zero Barriers in STEM Project Team through the Smithsonian, focused on supporting diverse learners.  Ashley teaches Science/Social Studies Methods, Early Childhood Methods, and STEM for Early Childhood Educators at NDMU.  Ashley is a 2024 Teacher Accomplishment in Gifted & Talented Education recipient from the Maryland State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented Education. 

Favorite Quote: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”  - Maya Angelou

Curtis Bay Elementary School
Visual Arts

Victoria Battaglia Hoffman is an accomplished Visual Art Teacher at Curtis Bay Elementary #207, Baltimore City Public Schools, with a passion for nurturing creativity in her students. As an Arts Integration Coach for Arts Every Day since 2018, she has facilitated systemic professional development for Visual Art Teachers and served as a mentor teacher. Victoria is known for her community projects, including outdoor murals and the creation of an outdoor classroom with mosaic benches. Her dedication to beautifying school spaces and promoting art education has earned her recognition and numerous accolades, driving her goal to make Curtis Bay Elementary the best school in Baltimore.

Favorite Quote: “Be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud.” - Maya Angelou

The Mount Washington School
Second Grade

Natyra Blount has served as a Baltimore City educator for nearly 18 years. She counts herself as “living the dream,” as she knew at a very early age that she wanted to be a teacher. Aside from serving on various school committees, she embraces a new-found passion for collaborating with new and seasoned educators through professional development facilitation. Mrs. Blount embraces the next generation of educators by mentoring Morgan State University teacher interns. She believes that one of the biggest rewards of teaching is having a part in the training and development of the next generation of world leaders.  

Favorite Quote: “Point your kids in the right direction— when they’re old, they won’t be lost.” ~ Solomon  

Bard High School Early College Baltimore
English – 9th Grade 

Patrick Oray, Ph. D., is a Faculty member in Literature at Bard High School Early College in Baltimore, where he teaches the school’s ninth-grade ELA course and its college-level First Year Seminar. 

A native of Chicago, IL, Dr. Oray moved to Baltimore in 2014 from Iowa City, IA, where he completed his M.A. and Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of Iowa, with concentrations in critical race theory, immigration, and media studies.  In addition to his work at Bard, Dr. Oray is also the Board Chair at Wide Angle Youth Media.   

Favorite Quote: “A good teacher protects his pupils from his own influence.”― Bruce Lee

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
English – 9th Grade 

Brenda Serpick is a devoted English and AP Research teacher at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, where she has taught for 10 of her 20 years as an educator. She leads the English IV and AP Research teams, serves as School Family Council co-chair, and is faculty co-advisor for Poly’s Jewish Student Union and advisor for The Polygraphs Creative Writing Club, which publishes the school’s annual writing and arts journal. A published poet in her own right, Ms. Serpick believes in the power of narratives to build community, foster equity, and connect us all - in and out of the classroom.  

Favorite Quote: “Literature is indispensable to the world. The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way a person looks at reality, then you can change it.”   - James Baldwin   

Holabird Academy
Mathematics - 3rd -8th Grade 

Brendan McFadden believes in the potential of all students and aims to spread joy throughout his school community. He is a model teacher and multi-classroom lead at Holabird Academy. He teaches, co-teaches, and coaches educators in classrooms from 3rd - 8th grade. Brendan has been with City Schools for 11 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Goucher College and a Master of Science in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University. Brendan's impact extends beyond his classroom; he spearheads teacher-led professional development initiatives and contributes as the teacher representative on Baltimore City's Trauma Informed Care Task Force. 

Favorite Quote: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”  ―Eleanor Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington Middle School
Grade 6-8 Instrumental Music

Jared Perry began matriculating at Morgan State University, earning an Instrumental Music degree and a Master of Arts in Teaching. He is proud to be serving the historic Booker T. Washington Middle School for the Arts and the surrounding community as the Band Director and Arts Team Lead. In addition, he works closely with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's OrchKids program, where he is a Brass Teaching Artist, Ensemble Director of the brass band, has led various ensembles, mentored teachers, and more as he is serving additional students across multiple schools throughout the district and outside of the state. For the past 6 years, students from UMBC have been visiting his classroom to observe him teach to help guide them as future educators. He attributes his positive influence as an educator to God, his wife (Danielle), family, friends, colleagues, and the wonderful students and parents that he has met and been blessed by over the years. 

Quote: “Which is bigger, the rearview mirror or the windshield? Keep looking and moving forward. Know where you've come from, but keep looking and moving forward.” – Darnell Perry, My father