If you’ve spent any time at Baltimore Design School (BDS), you’ve probably noticed a few things about Principal Darrin Brozene. He’s rarely without a tie, he’s deeply invested in his students and staff, and he believes that education should open doors, not limit possibilities. In fact, when asked what he most wants students to gain […]

If you’ve spent any time at Baltimore Design School (BDS), you’ve probably noticed a few things about Principal Darrin Brozene. He’s rarely without a tie, he’s deeply invested in his students and staff, and he believes that education should open doors, not limit possibilities. In fact, when asked what he most wants students to gain from their BDS experience, his answer was refreshingly simple: “Options.” For Brozene, success isn’t defined by a single pathway after graduation, rather, it’s about ensuring that every student leaves BDS with the confidence, skills, and opportunities to pursue a future of their choosing.
Under his leadership, BDS has continued to grow academically while expanding opportunities that nurture students’ creativity, career interests, and social-emotional well-being. From industry partnerships and career-connected experiences to student clubs, enrichment activities, and wellness initiatives, Brozene recognizes that learning extends well beyond the classroom. He’s especially proud of the school’s consistent staff and the number of siblings who have followed one another through
BDS. To him, those relationships speak volumes about the strength of the school community. And if money were no object? He’d expand course offerings, clubs, and tutoring opportunities so that every student could explore their interests while receiving the academic support they need to succeed.Spend a day at BDS, and you’ll quickly discover that Brozene is seemingly everywhere. One minute he’s directing traffic during afternoon dismissal, the next he’s facilitating a Champion Team meeting, observing classroom instruction, meeting with parents, or supervising lunch. He’s even been spotted 14 feet in the air, perched on a ladder changing a lightbulb! But he’s just as comfortable stepping into a dance-off with students or greeting returning alumni with elaborate, perfectly remembered dap-ups from years gone by. And then there are the daily dad jokes, delivered with enthusiasm and accompanied by laughter—occasionally his own! It’s that combination of hands-on leadership, genuine relationships, and good humor that makes him such a familiar presence throughout the building. And through it all, there’s one constant: the tie. He’s worn one every day since he began teaching, believing it represents professionalism, while also giving him an opportunity to show a little personality and creative flair. After all, he does lead a design school!

And what about the man outside the principal’s office? His lunch preferences are decidedly uncomplicated: give him a good turkey, ham, or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and he’s happy. At home, life is a little more colorful, thanks to a household that has included dogs, cats, hermit crabs, geckos, and fish—including one remarkable fish that’s been around since 2002! (Apparently, longevity is a recurring theme in the Brozene household.) During National Principals Month, we celebrate the administrator who keeps BDS moving forward, and the educator who believes in possibilities, the colleague who values community, and the leader who shows up every day—tie and all—committed to helping students design their futures.