LEONARDTOWN, Md. - Ms. Kim Summers, principal of Dynard Elementary 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. Summers is the quintessential elementary school principal," said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools. "She is caring and nurturing, and she fully understands the overall instructional program. She works tirelessly to ensure that all children are performing at their highest levels of achievement."
Ms. Summers joined St. Mary's County Public Schools in 1988 as a classroom teacher at Mechanicsville and Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary Schools. She went on to serve as an instructional resource teacher at Oakville Elementary and Dynard Elementary before being promoted to the position of assistant principal at Oakville. In 2001, Ms. Summers was named principal of Dynard Elementary.
"When I first selected Kim to be the principal of Dynard Elementary School, the school cried out for a leader who would welcome the community into it and encourage parents to be active participants in the decision making process," wrote Dr. Patricia M. Richardson, former superintendent of St. Mary's County Public Schools, in her letter of support for Ms. Summers. "Kim created a warm caring environment where students aren't afraid to take great risks. Now, parents are proud and excited about their school and students have more opportunities than ever for enriching experiences."
Later this month, The Washington Post will present the award to Ms. Summers 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.