The end of each calendar year is just about the midpoint of the school year, and it is a time when teachers and administrators strategically evaluate progress and retool instructional plans to better meet the needs of students. This is also a time of year for personal reflection, a time when we consider what we are thankful for and that which we value most. As Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, I am thankful for so many things. I am proud to have the opportunity to lead the 26th largest school district in the nation and to be in my tenth year in this role. I appreciate the talents and hard work of the 17,000 employees of this school system, including 8,850 teachers, who are committed to following our Blueprint for Progress and who understand that, when it comes to educating children, all means all. I value our 104,000 students, who never fail to impress me with their intellect, curiosity, creativity, and vision. And I am thankful for the level of engagement of the Baltimore County community. Our school system is made better every day because involved parents, corporate partners, volunteers, and area leaders work with us on behalf of our students. My holiday wish is the same as my wish throughout the year: that we – individually and collectively – continue to understand that education remains the primary tool for ensuring that this nation lives up to its ideals as a land of equal and abundant opportunities and that each of us makes a personal commitment to lifelong learning. Happy New Year! Sincerely,
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Dr. Joe A. Hairston Dr. Joe A. Hairston has served since 2000 as Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, one of the nation’s 25 largest school systems. His results-based leadership has yielded rising student academic achievement throughout his tenure. Many of the strategies Dr. Hairston employs in Baltimore County – including development of a “blueprint” for school system progress, effective use of technology to support student achievement, and key partnerships with the College Board and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) to promote college attendance – evolved over the course of his noteworthy career. In 2007, the Horace Mann League of the USA elected Dr. Hairston to its 12-member Board of Directors. The League is comprised of 1,000 renowned educators who share the belief that public schools are the cornerstone of democracy. Recognized by presidents and the national media, Dr. Hairston has been honored with dozens of honors, including The Washington Post’s Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, the Maryland State Department of Education Vanguard Award, and the 2006 Virginia Tech Graduate Alumni Achievement Award. In 2005, Dr. Hairston received local, national, and international honors for his leadership in educational technology, including an Outstanding Leadership Award from the International Society for Technology in Education. Dr. Hairston has been recognized as Superintendent of the Year by The Fullwood Foundation and has been profiled in District Administration, Christian Science Monitor, and Scholastic Administr@tor magazines. Dr. Hairston earned a doctorate in education administration from Virginia Tech, a master's degree from American University, and bachelor's degree from Maryland State University. Click here for more information |
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