St. John’s Kristen Zorica Named 2018 Elementary Teacher Of The Year

The Archdiocese of Baltimore recently named Kristen Zorica from St. John the Evangelist School in Severna Park as Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Genie Massey, from St. Maria Goretti High School in Hagerstown, was named High School Teacher of the Year.

The Teacher of the Year recipients were selected by the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Teacher of the Year Committee, which included Department of Catholic Schools staff, Archdiocese of Baltimore School Board representatives and a representative from the vicariate office.

The committee selected Zorica and Massey from a pool of 45 archdiocesan elementary and high school Teacher of the Year nominees, all of whom were the recipients of their school’s 2018 Teacher of the Year award. The decision was based on each nominee’s demonstration of Catholic identity, innovative instruction, professionalism and leadership, as well as classroom observations and interviews.

St. John Principal Casey Buckstaff said there are more than 1,000 teachers in the archdiocese, making Teacher of the Year “a truly special honor.”

“Kristen is acutely aware of the needs of her students, academic, spiritual and social, and because they know that she is so invested in each of them, the children rise above their potential, they look at the world from different perspectives, and they grow in their faithfulness,” Buckstaff said. “These are such important lessons that Kristen shares with our oldest students as they prepare to graduate and move on to high school.”

Zorica and Massey both “set an example of teaching excellence among students and co-workers alike,” said Jim Sellinger, chancellor of education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Catholic Schools. Zorica’s “instructional abilities bring out the excitement of students to read, write and talk about literature and the world around them,” he added.

Zorica has 22 years of teaching experience and currently teaches middle school at St. John. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Stanford University and a master’s in education from George Mason University.

“I believe in helping each unique student achieve the maximum level of growth that they can, beginning where they are,” she said. “I believe in student-centered learning, and try to inspire them to challenge themselves to reach their potential. I think of myself as the guide from the side, helping students to learn and master their reading and writing curriculum.”

Zorica and Massey will receive their Teacher of the Year certificates and awards at the 2018 Convocation of Catholic Schools on August 26 at the Church of the Nativity in Timonium.

“Teaching children and helping my colleagues is my life’s work, and I am grateful to have that work recognized and valued,” Zorica said. “I have also been very grateful for the many kind words of support and congratulatory notes from current and former students, parents and colleagues. I am truly grateful and honored to be the recipient of this award.”