Bowie Educator Wins National Award, Praised For Virtual Teaching

BOWIE, MD — Tulip Grove Elementary School educator Julia Balsam won this month's Honored National Teaching Award for her compassionate style. Honored, a nonprofit that recognizes one teacher every month, also awarded Balsam $5,000.

The organization pointed to Balsam's success while classes were online. She planned engaging lessons, made time for socialization and led fun icebreakers.

"My biggest fear was that I wouldn’t be able to make those personal connections with students through Zoom," Balsam told Honored. "I can still feel their energy through the screen, and they can hopefully feel mine, too."

The third-grade teacher was a blessing for David Coutourier, who is in his first year at Tulip Grove. David previously attended private school, but his parents enrolled him in public school so he could take online classes during the coronavirus shutdown.

"This pandemic has been very hard," said David's mom, Shanel Coutourier. "But David being in Ms. Balsam’s class is one of the highlights of the year."

Balsam, 33, grew up on a horse farm in Montgomery County. She graduated from the University of Maryland and earned a master's degree from Walden University. Now in her ninth year of teaching, Balsam's efforts are getting noticed.

"She’s just such a breath of fresh air," Principal Jaime Coffen said in the award announcement. "I love watching her teach."

Balsam's full story is available on Honored's website. To learn how to nominate a teacher for the award, click here.

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