“They have given me a lot of love,” said Smith, a middle school teacher at Guilford Elementary/Middle School in Northeast Baltimore. “I feel humbled.”

Smith was one of 12 Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) educators who were highlighted as everyday heroes in the exhibit Heroes in Our Midst: A Thousand Ships, which will be running through Sunday, November 8 at the Walters.

Busloads of children representing their respective schools unloaded into the museum to visit the Level 4 Gallery exhibit and to pay tribute to their hero.

“I’m proud,” 13-year old Guilford student Wonya Bradford said of Smith. “He’s one of the teachers that I can always go and talk to. Anytime I need him, he’s there.”

The theme selected by Art on Purpose (AOP) – an arts/education organization dedicated to bringing individuals and communities together – was inspired by the Walters’ current exhibit – Heroes: Mortals and Myths in Ancient Greece.

Heroes in Our Midst echoes the Greek mythology of Helen of Troy, whose face launched “a thousand ships.” One Greek hero was bestowed upon each of the 12 Baltimore honorees.

The school-wide selection process was brokered by Michael Sarbanes and Deborah Wilcox of the BCPSS Office of Partnerships, Communications and Community Engagement.

From the school-wide pool, 12 schools were selected by AOP, which in turn facilitated students in the development of an art piece within their respective school, honoring their hero.

“This is wonderful for the kids and for Baltimore,” said Wendell Singleton, Sr., father of son Wendell Jr. who attends Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School. Volunteer Peggy Thomas was selected from their school.

Brown Advisory came in to partner with Holabird Academy, and raised money to acquire computers and other equipment, and to build their first ever playground.

“I am very honored,” said Brown advisory coordinator Barbara Baines, one of the 12 heroes. “We have a wonderful principal and staff.”

The other heroes were: Rhona Bluman, Arundel Elementary/Middle School; Robert Chapman, Barclay Elementary/Middle School; Michael Whitten, Dr. Rayner Browne Elementary/Middle School; Joan Goodson, Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School #215; Jacqueline Fonseca, Lakeland Elementary/Middle School; Nadine Day, Lockerman Bundy Elementary School; Susan Zachau, Morell Park Elementary/Middle School; and Nancy Doran, William S. Baer School.

A one-hour program included a 10-minute video segment by BCPSS Education Channel-77, a Guilford Elementary/Middle school performance facilitated by Run of the Mill Theater, and a presentation of the affinities between the ancient Greek and the City Schools heroes. Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Andrés Alonso gave the keynote address.

At the conclusion, all 12 were brought on stage to receive a standing ovation from students, teachers, administrators, and education advocates.

Many honorees were modest about their tributes. “I think the children are the true heroes,” said Yvette Dorsey, a Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School paraeducator and grandmother of six, who spoke of the numerous environmental challenges her students face daily. “I’m learning from them.”

All 12 Heroes in the Midst segments are slated to air on Channel-77 in November 2009.

For more infomation on the exhibitions visit www.thewalters.org.