Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School teacher Athanasia Kyriakakos was named Baltimore City Public Schools’ 2016 teacher of the year.
City Schools CEO Gregory Thornton surprised her with the award Monday morning during a visit to her class.
An art teacher, Kyriakakos started teaching in city schools in 2011 at Baltimore Civitas Middle/High School. She taught at Baltimore Talent Development High School in 2013 and came to Mervo the following year, according to a press release.
She was praised for including her students’ artwork in exhibits across the city, highlighting the importance of art education.
Kyriakakos holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art, a teaching certificate from Central Connecticut State University and a Master’s of Fine Arts from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
As Teacher of the Year, Kyriakakos' prize package will include a cash award and classroom supplies provided through the Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke Endowment Fund at the Fund for Educational Excellence. She will also throw the first pitch at City Schools Orioles Night.
Kyriakakos now advances to the 2016-17 Maryland State Teacher of the Year competition. The winner of that competition will represent Maryland at the national level.
