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Our Superintendent
Dr. Michael J. Martirano is the superintendent of St. Mary’s County Public Schools,
a high quality prekindergarten through 12th grade school system located in beautiful
Southern Maryland, where he oversees the operation of 26 schools (including the county’s first
public charter school) and the instruction
of 16,922 students.
He was appointed by the Board of Education of St. Mary’s County by unanimous decision on
June 8, 2005. Since his appointment, Dr. Martirano has reorganized the school system with
an emphasis on service to schools. He takes every opportunity to fully engage in school-based
discussions on what works best for students, and is guided by one focus -- creating a total
community committed to learning and safety for all children in St. Mary’s County. Dr. Martirano has
established a vision plan entitled "Charting a Course to Excellence" that highlights
15 priorities to improve student achievement. His vision has also led to the implementation of Educational Pathways,
including the establishment of STEM Academies at all three levels that provide a rigorous curriculum focused on mathematics and science
with an infusion of technology and engineering; an Academy of Finance; and alternative pathways to high school
success, including the Tech Connect program and the Fairlead Academy which is a
9th grade school geared toward preventing high school dropouts. Additionally,
programs have been added to the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center
to meet the needs of all students. Dr. Martirano’s motto, "Work Hard and Be Nice,"
has proliferated throughout St. Mary’s County.
Dr. Martirano has been an educator for 26 years and has amassed a wide range of educational
and administrative
experiences. Prior to his appointment as superintendent, he served three
years as director of school administration with Howard County Public Schools. In this capacity,
he was responsible for supervising and managing the operation of 22-39 schools, and was
responsible for evaluating the performance of each principal. Previously, he served
as the principal of Laurel High School, part of the Prince George’s County Public School system.
During Dr. Martirano’s career, he has also served as an elementary school principal,
successfully opening two new schools in two different school systems (Prince George’s County and
Montgomery County). He has been a middle school vice principal and has worked in central office
as an area teacher specialist and a director for a consortium of high schools. For several years,
he taught science and math at the middle school level. Prior to teaching, he worked at the
University of Maryland in the Division of Student Affairs with the Department of Resident Life.
Dr. Martirano was recently selected as the 2007 Superintendent of the Year by the American Cancer
Society Maryland Region. In addition, he was named a 2006-2007 Outstanding Leader by the
University of Maryland's College of Education and is a member of the Leadership Maryland Graduating Class of 2007
which selected Dr. Martirano to deliver their commencement address. In
2006, he was named the Educational Administrator of the Year by the Maryland Association of Educational
Office Professionals (MAEOP). These awards followed his 1997 selection as Outstanding Educator for
Prince George’s County Public Schools and his 1993 selection as Outstanding Science Teacher for the State of
Maryland. He is a member of Phi Delta Kappa Educational Society, the University of Maryland Omicron Delta
Kappa Leadership Honor Society, and is a member of a number of community and civic organizations.
Dr. Martirano holds a Doctorate of Education degree in school management and instructional
leadership from Nova Southeastern University, two Masters of Education degrees and
a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland. He has had several articles published
in national educational journals and is a noted presenter on various educational topics. Additionally,
he has served on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University as an instructor in their education department.
He is certified as a secondary principal, a supervisor, and superintendent in the State of Maryland.
Dr. Martirano resides in St. Mary’s County with his wife Silvana and has three children, one who
attends college and two who are enrolled in the St. Mary’s County Public School system.
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