Day: April 25, 2019

Crossroads Nielsen named BCPS Teacher of the Year

Crossroads Center student Abby Lawson is just a few weeks away from graduation, and she credits her English language arts teacher, Kristen Nielsen, for helping her get there and being her inspiration.

“Unfortunately, not every school can have her, but I was blessed with her, and everything she’s done for me,” Lawson said.

Nielsen, a champion for all her students, was named the 2019-20 BCPS Teacher of the Year at a ceremony Wednesday night.

Nielsen is in her second year as a teacher at Crossroads, where she teaches Grades 9 and 12. She is also an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program teacher and a member of Crossroad’s equity team.

“Kristen Nielsen does whatever it takes to assist all her students,” BCPS Interim Superintendent Verletta White said. “She has dedicated her career to not just doing all she can to teach others but serve as a powerful advocate for equity in public education.”

Nielsen, who resides in Middle River, is in her 16th year as a Baltimore County Public Schools educator. Previously, she taught at Eastern Technical High for 11 years, Deep Creek Middle for three years, and Chesapeake High for one year. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a reading specialist certification with a focus on adolescent literacy at Goucher College.

Principals at the 174 BCPS schools, programs, and centers could nominate one educator for BCPS Teacher of the Year. Nominations were received from 164 schools. A selection committee, comprised of administrators, teachers, students, and staff, selected Nielsen as this year’s BCPS Teacher of the Year.

In addition to Nielsen, four other BCPS finalists were recognized. They include:

  • Christina DeSimone, child development teacher, Catonsville High
  • Jamie Metzgar, Grade 5 teacher, Honeygo Elementary
  • Abigail Metcalf, inclusion teacher, Relay Elementary
  • Ronald McFadden, choral arts teacher, Southwest Academy

Past BCPS teachers of the year include:

2018: Brendan Penn, Lyons Mill Elementary
2017: Rebecca Eig, Owings Mills Elementary
2016: Corey Carter, Northwest Academy of Health Sciences
2015: Orly Mondell, New Town High
2014: Anne Cross, Gunpowder Elementary
2013: Sean McComb, Patapsco High & Center for the Arts, the 2014 National Teacher of the Year

Honeygo and Overlea High Have Best Principals

Baltimore County Public Schools held their Teacher of the Year ceremony which was won by Crossroad Center teacher
Kristen Nielsen on Wednesday, April 24. There was also awards for BCPS Elementary & Secondary Principals of the Year and are both from the eastside. Charlene Behnke of Honeygo Elementary School was named the Elementary School winner Monica Sample of Overlea High School was named the best principal for Secondary Schools.

Behnke had the challenge of starting a new elementary school as Honeygo is in its inaugural year.

“I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to work at a school that has been embraced by the entire community,” Behnke said at the ceremony. “I’m inspired by the overwhelming support for our school from our students, our parents, local businesses and Baltimore County.”

Sample has spent her 24-year professional career in Baltimore County by previously serving as a high school Spanish teacher and Assistant Principal.

“I feel blessed that I am a principal and get to be a nurturer as one who is consistently and unconditional supportive of scholars by letting them know they can accomplish their dreams,” Sample said.