PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Zina McGowan-Thomas , Public Information Officer, 301-475-5511, ext. 193

MAUREEN MONTGOMERY NAMED DISTINGUISHED EDUCATIONAL LEADER

LEONARDTOWN , MD – Ms. Maureen Montgomery, principal of Spring Ridge Middle School , has been selected as St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ recipient of The Washington Post’s Distinguished Educational Leadership Award.

The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award exists to recognize those principals who go beyond the daily challenges of their position to create an exceptional educational environment.

“Ms. Montgomery has demonstrated exemplary leadership amongst her staff and students,” said Dr. Michael J. Martirano , superintendent of schools.  “Under her leadership, Spring Ridge Middle School has transformed into a strong learning community where the students and staff are achieving excellence in learning every day.”

Ms. Montgomery joined St. Mary’s County Public Schools in 1990 as a classroom teacher at Leonardtown Elementary School .  From 1992 to 1997, she served as a special education teacher at Margaret Brent Middle School before being named assistant principal at Leonardtown Middle School .  In 2001, Ms. Montgomery joined the staff of Benjamin Banneker Elementary School as their principal, and remained there until 2006 when she was named principal of Spring Ridge Middle School . 

Under Ms. Montgomery’s leadership, Spring Ridge has made tremendous progress on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) which measures the adequate yearly progress (AYP) of students throughout the state.  In 2006, AYP standards were not met by any subgroup of students at Spring Ridge Middle School .  In 2007, AYP was met by all but one subgroup of students.  Ms. Montgomery’s effective managerial techniques have been credited as the transforming agent at the school. 

 “I hear, often, from my daughter, of the positive energy Ms. Montgomery gives to the students,” wrote Ms. Emily Labows, Spring Ridge Middle School parent, in her letter of support for Ms. Montgomery.  “She communicates with students through classroom visits and assemblies, always encouraging the students to strive for excellence and work together with respect for each other and their teachers.  The result from these efforts is that Spring Ridge Middle School ’s Maryland State Assessment scores and attendance levels have risen higher each year that Ms. Montgomery has been the principal at this school.”

During the last week of April, The Washington Post will present the award to Ms. Montgomery and the other principals representing public school systems in Maryland , Virginia , and the District of Columbia , as well as a private school principal in the Washington metropolitan area.