Kristen Griffith
education workforce reporter
Kristen Griffith covers Maryland’s education workforce. She’s focused on what teachers and others need to help students learn and how the support those people get (or don’t) affects what happens in the classroom. Kristen reported for The Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C., after covering education and other community news for the Carroll County Times. She started her journalism career as an education reporter for Southern Maryland News after receiving her master’s degree from American University in 2018 and her bachelor’s degree from Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, the year prior.
The latest from Kristen
Baltimore County adds 19 schools to its 4- and 5-star ranks
Baltimore County has 25 schools with five-star ratings.
Judge rules Harford County schools must keep ‘Flamer’ on library shelves
A Harford County Circuit Court judge sided with the state school board Thursday afternoon, ruling that a young adult novel can remain in Harford County Public Schools libraries.
Should AI be used in Baltimore County classrooms? Here’s what school board candidates think.
The Banner asks Baltimore County school board candidates in contested races where they stand on AI use in classrooms.
Baltimore County school board revokes charter agreement with Puzzle Pieces Learning Academy
The Baltimore County Board of Education on Wednesday night revoked a charter agreement that would have allowed Puzzle Pieces Learning Academy Public Charter School to open next school year.
Maryland’s teacher shortage shrinks as vacancies hit post-pandemic lows
The number of open teaching jobs at Maryland schools fell from a high of 2,145 in 2022 to just under 600 today, state officials announced Monday.
Your last-minute guide to applying for Baltimore County school magnet programs
You have just over 24 hours to apply. The good news is, it takes only about five minutes.
A school bus driver let a child off to save a kitten. Calls to reinstate her are going national.
PETA joined growing calls for Cynthia Morgan to return to her Harford County Public Schools bus route.
How partisan politics shape Baltimore County’s nonpartisan school board race
Here’s what to know about the political backgrounds of Baltimore County school board candidates in contested races.
Ex-Baltimore school commissioner’s groups got millions in taxpayer money
Government funds made up the entirety of KEYS Empowers' $4.7 million in revenue for 2023 and 2024.
Joe used to cry at school drop-off. Now his teachers call him the Mayor of Bel Air.
Public schools often struggle to fund services for students with disabilities. But at Bel Air Elementary, first grader Joe Hughes has the support he needs to thrive.
Baltimore County may stagger school start over three days to help students adjust
Pending school board approval, students in grades 1-5, 6 and 9 would start on day one. The rest of the middle and high school kids would join them the following day.
Fewer Maryland students are missing school after post-pandemic absenteeism spike
Fewer Maryland students are chronically absent from school as the state launches a new attendance campaign.
Baltimore County schools sign on for 3 more years of Talkspace therapy for students
School board members renewed the contract with Talkspace on Tuesday night, extending a partnership that began in December 2023 to September 2029.
After her ‘anti-Muslim’ post, a mosque opened its doors to Baltimore County school board member
Maggie Litz Domanowski accepted an invitation to visit Masjid Al-Rahmah, a Windsor Mill mosque, on Wednesday evening following a firestorm of criticism that led to her public apology.
Last school year was rocky. Harford’s superintendent wants this year to be different.
Last school year was riddled with controversy that frayed trust. Mack is using her deep local roots and long-standing relationships to unify the school district.
Cursive is scrawling its way back into Central Maryland schools
Educators and researchers who embrace cursive say that the skill can help students’ motor skills, improve their writing’s legibility and even help them better retain what they’re learning.
Baltimore County board member apologizes for social media post deemed ‘anti-Muslim’
A Baltimore County school board member apologized Tuesday for a social media post that some critics accused of “promoting anti-Muslim stereotypes.”
Baltimore County charter school survives shutdown threat amid director’s troubled past
Board of Education member Pete Fitzpatrick withdrew his motion to reconsider the school’s charter agreement.
Are Baltimore County schools ready to open? Here’s a look, by the numbers.
Superintendent Bill Heiser gave news media and county officials a rundown of teacher vacancies, completed school construction projects, school bus driver shortages and more on Monday morning.
Can a former soccer star rebuild trust in Baltimore County schools?
Bill Heiser has promised to raise graduation rates and test scores and rebuild trust in Baltimore County schools, where repeated budget cuts have hurt morale.
