As her algebra students prepared for a quiz, Natalie Hax, their teacher at Archbishop Curley High School, experienced a delightful surprise. Dr. Donna Hargens, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, arrived to officially announce that Mrs. Hax had been named Archdiocesan High School Teacher of the Year. While her students watched with a mixture of bewilderment and pride, Mrs. Hax was congratulated by Dr. Hargens, Archbishop Curley President Fr. Donald Grzymski, Principal Jeremy Joseph, Assistant Principal Kenneth Pipkin, and education leaders from the archdiocese.
“Curley is blessed to have an educator as talented and dedicated as Natalie. She is involved in so many aspects of school life—as an effective math teacher, of course, but also for her work with their St. Anthony Program [for students with diverse learning needs], as a class moderator, even as a referee for intramural sports,” said Dr. Hargens.
The Teacher of the Year recipients were selected by the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Teacher of the Year Committee, which included Department of Catholic Schools leadership and representatives from the Archdiocese of Baltimore School Board. The committee selected Mrs. Hax from the secondary school nominees, all of whom were the recipients of their school’s 2025 Teacher of the Year award. The committee’s decision was based on each nominee’s demonstration of Catholic identity, innovative instruction, professionalism, and leadership.
Of her teaching style, Mrs. Hax said, “I strive to maintain a classroom environment where students feel valued and supported. Ultimately, though, teaching is so much more than content and curriculum. It involves making connections with students to help them gain confidence and grow both in and out of the classroom.”
She has been teaching ninth-grade algebra at Archbishop Curley for the last four years, during which she has crafted a freshman algebra course that offers an additional half-credit of instructional time for the St. Anthony students. She also supports these students during the mandatory summer program, which helps them prepare for high school.
Mrs. Hax holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Towson University. Prior to her time at Curley, she gained valuable experience teaching at St. Ursula and within the Baltimore County Public Schools system.
Principal of Archbishop Curley High School, Jeremy Joseph, described Mrs. Hax as “a teacher who is passionate about her subject matter, is a trusted colleague, and is recognized by her students as an excellent instructor.” He added, “Her comprehensive approach leads these students to success in the classroom. Other members of her department acknowledge that students are more prepared for subsequent math courses due to her effectiveness.”
About Archbishop Curley High School: Archbishop Curley High School is an all-male Catholic Archdiocesan High School in the Franciscan Tradition. Named after the Tenth Archbishop of Baltimore, Michael J. Curley, the school “at the corner of Erdman and Sinclair” has served the Baltimore metropolitan area since 1961. From its opening, Curley has been staffed by Conventual Franciscan Friars and dedicated lay men and women, who together have filled the building and students with the spirit of Jesus and St. Francis of Assisi. A strong academic program, designed for 21st century learning, a competitive athletic program and a diverse arts program are hallmarks of a Curley experience. What is unique to Curley is the Franciscan dimension, which values the individual and emphasizes the Five Franciscan Ideals in learning and life. It is a school “where Brotherhood begins.”
