When guests arrived with balloons, a photographer, and a large banner displaying their teacher’s face, the first and second graders at St. Francis of Assisi in Baltimore sensed that something extraordinary was about to unfold. It was a surprise visit from their principal, John Seibel, Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens, and educational leaders from the archdiocese. The reason for all the fanfare was that their teacher, Lori Hicks, was about to discover that she had been named the Elementary School Teacher of the Year for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

“It was my pleasure to nominate such a deserving candidate. Lori Hicks has turned her class into a multi-sensory learning center,” said Principal Seibel. “It is abundantly clear that there is always high-level thinking and questioning happeni

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