Celebrating Master Educator Mr. Paul Bolenbaugh at SPOTLIGHT 2018

Mr. Paul Bolenbaugh knew he wanted to be a teacher from the time he was a boy growing up in South Bend, Indiana. As the son of two teachers— his mother was one of the first women accepted to the University of North Dakota, and his father was a teacher, principal and superintendent—there was no question about his future profession.

After graduating from Ball State University, Mr. Bolenbaugh accepted a position with Baltimore County Public Schools. He earned a Masters in Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University. In 1965, when Pikesville High School was about to open, he was asked to transfer there, where he became a teaching legend for nearly 40 years, “teaching just about every social science course there was,” including psychology, philosophy, government, and U.S. and world history.

In 1966, Mr. Bolenbaugh was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship from Brown University for summer study in the Middle East (although the trip was cancelled due to conflict in the area). Mr. Bolenbaugh was the recipient of outstanding teaching awards both from Pikesville High and from Beth Tfiloh, and has had a scholarship named in his honor.

In reflecting on his 58-year teaching career, Mr. Bolenbaugh explains that “being around young people who are civil and decent is a wonderful experience. The kids make me laugh every day. It keeps me young.”

The community looks forward to honoring Mr. Bolenbaugh as he prepares to retire this year following a most distinguished teaching career at SPOTLIGHT 2018, featuring Jason Alexander in concert, on Monday, June 4, at 7:30 pm here at Beth Tfiloh. Buy SPOTLIGHT tickets at bethtfiloh.com/spotlight.