HANNAH WARD

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Baltimore City Public Schools

Hannah Ward works as a teacher with Baltimore City Public Schools. Ward teaches at New Song Academy in Sandtown-Winchester, where she has worked since 2018.

Ward holds a master’s degree in literacy from American College of Education, which she completed in 2018, and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from 2015. Her career began at Beechfield Elementary Middle School from 2015 to 2018.

Ward teaches third grade and runs a fitness program for elementary school students at her school. The program started as a once-a-week session serving third and fourth graders but has expanded to twice a week, serving students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Ward teaches group fitness and discusses the importance of healthy habits with students. She provides time for students to check in as they discuss how physical and mental health are connected.

Ward was named Teacher of the Year at New Song Academy for 2023-2024. She was nominated for America’s Favorite Teacher 2025 through Reader’s Digest. Ward served as the teacher representative of the New Song Learning Center Board from 2019 to 2021.

“My biggest professional accomplishment is always at the end of the school year when I can see how much growth my students have made throughout the school year,” Ward said. “As my main job is to help my students reach their learning goals, it is always rewarding when students meet growth targets.”

Ward has launched a hydroponic gardening program, organized an annual Harvest Festival and Summer Block Party and led after-school enrichment focused on health and wellness. In the 2024-2025 school year, she was selected by Vibrancy21 to partner with Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers for a holiday shopping experience at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Ward has volunteered with organizations including 10:12 Sports, Andrew L. Hicks Jr Foundation, Hopeville Church and Grace City Church. She is a supporter of the Enoch Pratt Free Library and Friends of Patterson Park. Ward is a familiar face in the running community and participated in the 2024 Baltimore Half Marathon.

“I focus on inspiring quiet, lasting change through consistency, creativity and care because I love this city and care deeply about its future,” Ward said. “I aim to be generous and thoughtful in all areas of the community that I am involved in.”

Honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by honoree nominations, applications and letters of recommendation. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.