BCPS Announces Finalists For Teacher, Principal And Assistant Principal Of The Year

BALTIMORE COUNTY - The top three finalists have been selected for the BCPS Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, and Assistant Principal of the Year.

The BCPS Teacher of the Year finalists were chosen from among a record-setting 169 school teacher of the year nominees by a committee composed of BCPS administrators, staff, students, the Teachers Association, and current BCPS Teacher of the Year Alicia Amaral Freeman.

The finalists for Teacher of the Year are:

• Beverly Folkoff teaches Grades 3-5 special education at Relay Elementary School and is the BCPS Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
• Talven Pearsell teaches mathematics at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School and is the BCPS Middle School Teacher of the Year.
• Abigail Karey teaches vocational/life skills at Maiden Choice School and is the BCPS High School Teacher of the Year.

The finalists for Principal of the Year are:

• Andrea Derrien of the Chatsworth School is the BCPS Elementary School Principal of the Year.
• Kalisha Miller of Pikesville Middle School is the BCPS Middle School Principal of the Year.
• Brian Powell of Kenwood High School is the BCPS High School Principal of the Year.

The finalists for Assistant Principal of the Year are:

• Anthony Schultz of Westchester Elementary School is the BCPS Elementary School Assistant Principal of the Year.
• Jodi Pasquale of General John Stricker Middle School is the BCPS Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year.
• Nicole Bridges of Towson High School is the BCPS High School Assistant Principal of the Year.

A selection panel will interview the three finalists next week to determine who will be named 2023-2024 BCPS Teacher of the Year during the live-streamed April 19 ceremony. The BCPS Teacher of the Year will then represent the school.

All nine finalists will be celebrated at a special Champions for Children Celebration Gala at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road, in Towson. At that event, Baltimore County’s teacher, principal, and assistant principal of the year will be chosen from among the respective groups.

“Congratulations to all of our finalists for teacher, principal, and assistant principal of the year for Baltimore County Public Schools,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “These gifted educators represent the best of our already talented teachers and school administrators, and we are grateful daily to them and all their colleagues for the wonderful job they do serving our children, our schools, and our community. We cannot thank them or honor them enough.”