Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School teacher Joseph Bostic, Jr., was named the 2021-2022 MCPS Teacher of the Year during a virtual celebration on April 28. Bostic will now go on to compete for Maryland Teacher of the Year.

Bostic is the math content specialist and 8th grade team leader at King Middle School. He expects greatness from his students and is a fierce advocate for them. He supports them and holds them accountable. Parents, students and colleagues describe him as a patient, caring and inspirational leader. Coworkers say he is hard-working, relentless and creative. An action plan he developed led to a reduction of truancies schoolwide from more than 33 percent to less than 25 percent. He uses data to modify instruction to meet student needs, resulting in better student performance on assessments. He is a member of the school improvement team and instructional leadership team, and led the creation of the school’s math webpage, which provides valuable resources to families. As a CARES program tutor, he holds “jam sessions” to help students with math work; spends time with high-need students during lunch; and facilitates teacher mentor groups for some students. He spearheaded a free college and resource fair for students and parents. As a coach, he recruits athletes, teaches them life lessons and motivates them to perform at their highest level. He is an electrical engineer, and works to recruit teacher candidates in the STEM fields. He has also worked to increase teacher diversity through MCPS’ Conversation series and the BOND (Building Our Network of Diversity) project, which focuses on recruiting, supporting and retaining male educators of color.

Bostic was one of three finalists for Teacher of the Year, along with Sara Kopf, first grade teacher at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School School, and Patricia Richards, science teacher at Walter Johnson High School.

The Marian Greenblatt Education Fund named the finalists.

The three Teacher of the Year finalists each receive $2,000 from the Greenblatt Education Fund. They will also receive a cash prize from the MCPS Educational Foundation.