BCP’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community impact has earned us honors from local, regional, and national organizations. Each award reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, educators, and partners, and we’re proud to celebrate these achievements.
Explore our most recent recognitions below:
National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) Silver Star Award 2025
BCP earned the NIFDI Silver Star Award for our outstanding implementation of Direct Instruction, reflecting our dedication to high-impact teaching and student achievement.
Hampstead Hill Academy Wins NIFDI Wesley Becker Excellent School Award 2024
This award celebrates Hampstead Hill Academy’s outstanding use of Direct Instruction to drive student achievement and school-wide excellence.
Kate-Wash Little Wins Siegfried Engelmann Excellence in Education Award 2024
Govans Elementary teacher Kate-Wash Little received this prestigious award for her innovative teaching and extraordinary impact on student learning.
Hampstead Hill Academy Receives Eight-Year Charter
Hampstead Hill Academy secured an eight-year charter renewal, affirming the school’s long-term success, strong outcomes, and community trust.
Wolfe Street Academy Receives Eight-Year Charter
Wolfe Street Academy earned an eight-year charter renewal, recognizing the school’s sustained excellence and strong outcomes for students and families.
Kat Locke-Jones Named Maryland Teacher of the Year 2024
Hampstead Hill Academy teacher Kat Locke-Jones was recognized as Maryland Teacher of the Year, honoring her dedication, creativity, and leadership in the classroom.
Wyatt Oroke Named Maryland Teacher of the Year 2020
City Springs teacher Wyatt Oroke was honored as Maryland Teacher of the Year, exemplifying BCP’s commitment to exceptional teaching and student success.
Transformational Principals: Bernarda Kwaw and Mark Gaither
Celebrating exceptional leadership, Bernarda Kwaw and Mark Gaither have been recognized by Baltimore City Public Schools as Transformational Principals for inspiring excellence and innovation in their schools.
Distinguished Principals: Rhonda Richetta and Matt Hornbeck
Rhonda Richetta and Matt Hornbeck were honored as Distinguished Principals by Baltimore City Public Schools for their commitment to student success and school-wide improvement.
The Brenda Kahn Award is an annual recognition of excellence in teaching at BCP schools. Nominated by BCP principals, awardees exemplify the qualities of the late Brenda Kahn (academic expertise and excellence, integrity, perseverance, collegiality, and high-quality instructional skills), a BCP coach with a distinguished career in Baltimore City Public Schools who passed away in 2019.
Past Award Recipients:
2020: Marvelyn Johnson, Instructional Coach, Frederick Elementary
2021: Dorothy Glewwe, Kindergarten Teacher, City Springs Elementary/Middle
2022: Stacey Hicks, Instructional Coach, City Springs Elementary/Middle, and Victoria Jennings, Assistant Principal, Govans Elementary
2023: Brian White, 7th grade Math Teacher at Hampstead Hill Academy
2024: Danielle Parker, 3rd Grade Math teacher, City Springs Elementary / Middle School and Jen Pintuck, Pre-Kindergarten, Wolfe Street Academy
2025: Corey Isaacs, 7th grade ELA teacher, Pimlico Elementary / Middle School
The Robert Benjamin Award is an annual honor recognizing BCP teachers who excel at teaching Direct Instruction (DI) reading. Created by the late Bob Benjamin, a dedicated BCP Board member, the award celebrates educators who make the greatest impact using DI, the research-backed reading program BCP pioneered in Baltimore City Public Schools in 1996.
Past Award Recipients:
2023: Christa Kinsey, 3rd grade Teacher, City Springs Elementary/Middle School
2024: Jackie Clary Thomas, 1st grade Teacher, Hampstead Hill Academy
2025: Juwariyah Saboor, 1st grade Teacher, Pimlico Elementary/Middle School and Brianna Spady, 4th/5th Grade Teacher, Wolfe Street Academy