MNPS Voices: Lajuana Baltimore, Fourth Grade Teacher, Norman Binkley Elementary School

When Lajuana Baltimore first stepped into a classroom more than 30 years ago, she wasn’t planning to become a teacher. She had just graduated with a degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee at Martin and was simply trying to earn some extra money by substitute teaching at an elementary school in Memphis.

But that experience changed everything. A principal noticed her natural connection with students and encouraged her to consider teaching as a career.

“That principal planted the seed,” Baltimore says. “I didn’t realize then that I was stepping into my life’s purpose.”

Over the years, including nearly 20 spent serving students in Metro Nashville Public Schools, Baltimore’s dedication to teaching has only deepened. She is now in her second year teaching fourth grade at Norman Binkley Elementary. Her classroom is energetic and full of laughter, a place where every lesson carries meaning and every student feels valued.

“Even as a first-year teacher, I saw how small efforts could lead to big growth,” she says. “That’s something I’ve carried with me ever since.”

That commitment to steady, meaningful progress, along with other exceptional attributes, recently earned her Norman Binkley’s 2026 Teacher of the Year award. True to her humility, Baltimore hesitated to accept the recognition.

“Many teachers have the same qualities this award represents,” she says quietly. “I feel blessed and honored because I work among so many outstanding educators.”

Purpose, Positivity, Community

At the center of Baltimore’s teaching philosophy is one guiding word: community.

Her classroom functions like a family, built on kindness, mutual respect, and shared joy. Throughout the school year, she captures special moments on camera – students experimenting in science, working on art projects, or laughing during the daily morning meeting. During the last week of school, her students receive those photos and create personalized fourth-grade memory posters.

“I love watching them smile and reminisce about the year,” she says. “It reminds us that we built something together.”

Each morning begins in community through a class meeting designed to start the day with purpose and positivity. From there, Baltimore’s lessons blend creativity and structure. She uses visuals, hands-on activities, and engaging games to make learning approachable for all students. Real-world connections guide her instruction.

“My school provides excellent resources like Storyworks and SuperSTEM magazines,” she explains. “They help students make meaningful links between what they’re learning in class and the world around them.”

Although Baltimore teaches all subjects, she’s quick to note her students’ excitement for math, where she sees their confidence build.

In her classroom, lessons often include interactive, standards-aligned games and activities that strengthen understanding while keeping students engaged. She relies on clear modeling, visuals, and small-group instruction, whether providing extra help or challenging advanced learners.

“Every student deserves instruction that meets them right where they are,” she says.

Baltimore’s favorite part of teaching isn’t a particular subject; it’s the growth she witnesses over time.

“Many of my students arrive with academic gaps or personal struggles,” she says. “But as the year progresses, I watch them transform, like caterpillars becoming butterflies. They grow in confidence, academically and personally, and that transformation never stops inspiring me.”

Joyful Work

Even after a long career in education, her passion remains unwavering.

“Teaching continues to fill me with joy,” she admits. “There’s something powerful about watching a child achieve something they once thought was impossible.”

Baltimore recognizes how valuable differentiation is, using small groups, lunch labs, and one-on-one moments to meet the individual needs of every child.

“Every learner has a story,” she adds. “You just have to listen to find it.”

Baltimore’s official teaching journey began after that Memphis principal’s encouragement. She earned her teaching certification through the University of Memphis, later completing a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction there and then earning a second master’s degree with additional credentials in the same field from Lipscomb University after she moved to Nashville.

Her impact today reflects a lifetime of purpose and persistence. Her classroom is a testament to what can happen when passion, patience, and care come together. Every year, a new group of students enters her room uncertain – and leaves having discovered both their potential and their voice.

“When I see my students’ growth – their joy, their confidence – that’s what keeps me coming back,” Baltimore says. “They remind me that transformation is always possible.”