Add Tony Jackson-Hood to the list of Anne Arundel County Public Schools family members stepping into the national spotlight. The Brooklyn Park Middle School dance educator has been named the National Dance Education Organization’s (NDEO) Outstanding Dance Educator: PK-12 (Established), a national honor recognizing his excellence and impact in dance education.

Jackson-Hood has taught dance in the Apex Arts Magnet Program at Brooklyn Park Middle School since 2022. Prior to joining the team at Brooklyn Park, he taught dance at MacArthur Middle School.

Christiana Walsh, Coordinator of Health, Physical Education and Dance, and Nicole Deming, Dance Academic Specialist, describe Jackson-Hood as an educator who has built a reputation not only for excellence in dance instruction, but also for creating a culturally responsive classroom, mentoring aspiring educators, and leading with inclusivity, understanding, passion, and kindness.

Presented annually, the Outstanding Dance Educator award recognizes an experienced educator teaching in a prekindergarten through 12th-grade setting who inspires and motivates students and makes a significant impact on their learning community.

“My teaching philosophy is grounded in a simple belief: Young people learn and grow best when they feel safe, known, challenged, valued, and that they genuinely belong,” Jackson-Hood said. “I believe in maintaining high expectations while giving students the support, feedback, voice, and opportunities they need to reach them. Dance education should certainly develop strong technicians and artists, but it should also develop confident thinkers, collaborators, creators, leaders, and good humans.”

At Brooklyn Park, Jackson-Hood works to elevate the level of artistry and professionalism within the school’s Apex Arts and Liberal Arts programs. As director of the Apex Arts Dance Company, he creates meaningful opportunities for students to grow as artists, choreographers, and performers. His student choreography showcases provide young dancers with a platform to develop and present original work while building confidence in their artistic voices.

“Mr. Jackson-Hood has helped me improve so many things by making the dance studio a safe place for me to be myself,” said Clara Brauns, a seventh-grade Apex Arts dance student.

Jackson-Hood’s impact also extends beyond his own classroom. As an Apex Arts curriculum writer, he shares his expertise to strengthen dance instruction and create high-quality learning experiences across the program. He also coordinates opportunities with feeder high schools, helping middle school students build connections and experience the progression of dance education beyond Brooklyn Park.

“Mr. Jackson-Hood is an inspirational educator who cultivates a growth mindset in his students, continually challenging them to take creative risks, push beyond what they think is possible, and become the best versions of themselves as both dancers and individuals,” said Lacey Sheppard, Apex Arts Magnet Site Coordinator at Brooklyn Park Middle School. “His exceptional creativity as an educator and choreographer, combined with the care and mentorship he provides his students, makes him an invaluable part of the Apex Arts Magnet Program. We are incredibly fortunate to have him at Brooklyn Park Middle School.”

Jackson-Hood will be formally recognized at the National Dance Education Organization’s annual conference later this month.