English and Journalism teacher Kelly Knarr and English and Yearbook teacher Naomi Ratz earned their Master Journalism Educator and Certified Journalism Educator certificates, respectively, this past January. Since the State of Maryland does not offer certification for journalism, the certification from the Journalism Education Association is a form of recognition of excellence in the field.

“I see it as a way to validate the knowledge I have gained in 12 years of teaching and advising,” Knarr said.