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Kristen Griffith

Kristen

Kristen Griffith covers Maryland’s education workforce, focused on what teachers and others need to help students learn and how the support they get (or don’t) affects what happens in the classroom. Previously, Griffith 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, Del. the year prior.

The latest from Kristen Griffith

Maryland public schools lost over 11,000 students this year
Enrollment for Maryland public schools saw a much steeper decline than early estimates showed.
Seventh grade students line up for lunch at Robert Frost Middle School in Montgomery County, which lost more than 2,000 students this year.
Priced out of pro wrestling: Local WWE fans can’t afford John Cena’s last match
WWE Superstar and actor John Cena will have his final match in Washington, D.C. in December. But high ticket prices will keep some diehard fans from seeing their pro-wrestling hero last hurrah.
Wrestling fan Dawn Waters digs through her collection of WWE chairs from various matches she and her son Ryan attended.
State investigators: AI tool wasn’t biased when it flagged student’s chips as gun
Maryland’s Office of the Inspector General for Education recommended more training for school staff and police in use of its AI-powered Omnilert weapon detection technology.
Kenwood High School in Essex. A new inspector general’s report found an artificial intelligence-powered weapons detection system exhibited no bias when it mistakenly flagged that a student at the school had a gun.
Garrison Forest School appoints its first leader of color
Monica Pickett Rodriguez will be Garrison Forest’s 14th head of school when she starts in the summer of 2027.
Monica Pickett Rodriguez will be Garrison Forest’s 14th head of school when she starts in the summer of 2027.
Baltimore County’s latest redistricting impacts 11 schools but only one student
Some small boundary fixes in the central region could save the school system headaches in the future.
Hampton Elementary School following recent Baltimore County Redistricting. 3/19/2024. Timonium, MD.
Harford school board appeals state’s book ban decision to circuit court
Harford County’s school board voted to appeal the state’s unprecedented decision overturning its ban of a young adult graphic novel, pushing the dispute into circuit court.
“Flamer,” a graphic novel by Mike Curato.
Perry Hall Middle School evacuated after ‘unusual odor’
The Baltimore County Fire Department is still investigating the source of the odor at Perry Hall Middle School.
Maryland Army National Guard Servicemembers Staff Sgt. Edward Graham and Spc. Sherie Peeks were honored by the Baltimore County Fire Department for their actions during the Dundalk Fire Station fire Feb. 10, 2010. Along with 13 firefighters and EMS personnel they were presented Executive Citations from Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and also received Hero Pins.
In a first for the state, Maryland’s school board reverses Harford County’s book ban
Maryland’s school board is reversing Harford County’s decision to remove a book from public school libraries — the first time the state has intervened in a local decision about what’s appropriate for students to read.
“Flamer,” a graphic novel by Mike Curato.
Baltimore County dominates Maryland’s top 10 schools of 2025
Baltimore County had the most schools earning top marks on the Maryland School Report Card.
Busses parked outside of Hampton Elementary School during morning dropoff 3/19/2024. Timonium, MD
Maryland’s best schools: See new state ratings for 2025
Search our database to compare Maryland schools and their ratings.
Maryland schools get new star ratings today — maybe for the last time
For the sixth year, the Maryland State Department of Education will rate each school on a scale of one to five stars.
Baltimore County gym teacher awaiting trial on sex abuse charges fights termination
Roger Myers filed a lawsuit in Baltimore County Circuit Court against Baltimore County Public Schools and Superintendent Myriam Rogers, contending he officially retired effective July 1.
The Baltimore County Public School Board logo as seen during a board meeting on 12/6/22.
Ex-Pikesville High principal impersonated in racist AI case settles lawsuit
Eric Eiswert had sued Baltimore County Public Schools and Dazhon Darien after an audio clip made it sound like Eiswert made racist and antisemitic comments.
Eric Eiswert, former principal of Pikesville High School, leaves the Baltimore County Courthouse after Dazhon Darien, the man accused of using artificial intelligence to impersonate him took a plea deal.
Baltimore County schools to retrain staff after AI gun-detection system flub
Baltimore County Public Schools officials say a retraining is in order after police drew guns on a Kenwood High School student whose bag of chips was mistaken for a gun.
Police were called to Kenwood High School last week after Baltimore County Public Schools’ weapon-detection system alerted officials of a possible gun on campus.
Baltimore County councilman calls for review of school’s AI gun-detection system
Julian Jones wants a review of the events that led to “police officers pulling up on a kid with guns drawn.”
Police were called to Kenwood High School after gun-detection software mistook a bag of chips for a weapon.
Baltimore County school’s AI gun detection system mistook a bag of chips for a weapon
The false alarm was triggered by Omnilert, Baltimore County Public Schools’ gun detection system.
Kenwood High School in Essex.
What does it take to root out fraud in Maryland’s biggest school districts?
Montgomery County’s Inspector General is the only office of its kind in Maryland that acts as a watchdog for its county school system. That could soon change.
Megan Limarzi, the Inspector General for Montgomery County, in her office in Rockville.
Art teachers sue Baltimore City schools, nonprofit for missing pay
The teachers, employed through Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center, allege they haven’t been paid for work they did months ago, putting them behind on rent and car payments.
From left, Jermaine Melvin, Cedric Benning Jr., Valerie Hall-Butler and Camrie Hilton are former instructors for Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center and four of eight plaintiffs suing the Baltimore City Public Schools and a contracted nonprofit for months worth of payments they have yet to receive.
How a big red school bus could blur the line between church and state
LifeWise Academy is seeking to introduce Christian education programs in three Maryland school districts, with support in Harford County and efforts underway in Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties.
It’s payday. Baltimore County teachers are worried about their checks.
A bumpy transition to a new payroll system has Baltimore County Public Schools staff on edge.
Teacher pointing at paper on the floor with students.
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