At the meeting on April 28, the Board of Education of Calvert County Public Schools appointed Laveeta Hutchins as the Director of Human Resources.
Dr. Daniel Curry, Superintendent, said, "We are pleased to have someone with Ms. Hutchins' experience step into the role of Director of Human Resources. Her school and central office roles have provided her with the insight to facilitate the hiring of highly skilled employees. She has the expertise to implement processes and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal laws."
A graduate of Calvert High School, Ms. Hutchins has devoted her career to Calvert County Public Schools. She began teaching at Mutual Elementary, eventually becoming a vice principal there and later at Huntingtown Elementary. In 1996, she was appointed as principal of the newly-opened Windy Hill Elementary. Opening a new school included hiring a complete staff, developing the processes of a new school and welcoming parents and students to a new school community. Ms. Hutchins led Windy Hill Elementary on its journey to a school of excellence.
In 2005 she became a supervisor at the district level, overseeing programs such as English for Speakers of Other Languages, Service Learning and Physical Education and Health. In 2009 she took over the Federal Title 1 program, leading the program to a high degree of effectiveness and compliance. Her career took on a new dimension in 2013 when she was appointed Supervisor of Human Resources. Each of these positions has prepared her to take on the challenging task of serving as the Director of Human Resources.
Throughout her tenure in Calvert County Public Schools, Ms. Hutchins has earned the respect of her colleagues and the community. Her priority is always acting in the best interest of children when making decisions as an educator. Her professionalism, integrity and work ethic are what make her a true leader for Calvert County Public Schools.
Dr. Susan Johnson Named Director of Secondary School Improvement
At the meeting on April 28, the Board of Education of Calvert County Public Schools appointed Dr. Susan Johnson to fill the new position of the Director of Secondary School Improvement.
Dr. Daniel Curry, Superintendent, said, "The role of the principal has moved from being a manager of the building to that of an instructional leader who improves student learning and increases student achievement. In Calvert County, we saw the need to have a position dedicated to mentoring, coaching and supporting the secondary principals in an effort to ensure all students graduate college and career ready. Through reorganization of current positions, we were able to fill this need."
Dr. Susan Johnson has served as the principal of Calvert High School since 2006. Before moving to Calvert High, she was the vice principal and then principal of Northern Middle School. She taught special education at Calvert Middle and Patuxent High prior to entering administration.
Dr. Johnson can best be described as an exemplary professional with respect to her leadership and character. As an educational leader, she has moved her school forward with continuous improvement for both students and staff. She embodies the characteristics of integrity, honesty and responsibility. As an educator in Calvert County Public Schools, she has served as a role model for her peers.
As a principal, she assumes the responsibility of mentoring staff members who aspire to career advancement. She continuously and strategically works with her vice principals and teacher leaders to increase their leadership skills, which is evidence of her ability to succeed in this new role. In recent years, under her guidance, six teachers has been promoted to administrators and five vice principals have become successful principals.
Administrative Appointments
The Board of Education of Calvert County Public Schools made two administrative appointments at the meeting on May 12. Rebecca Bowen was appointed as the principal of Mill Creek Middle School, and Steve Lucas was appointed principal of Calvert High School.
A graduate of Calvert High and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Ms. Bowen began her career teaching social studies in Calvert County Public Schools. While teaching, she earned her Master's Degree from McDaniel College and subsequently served as a dean of students and then vice principal. In 2011, she was appointed principal of Mill Creek Middle and led the building for two years before returning to her love of social studies. She has been the district Supervisor of Social Studies since 2013 and now looks forward to returning to a school building. Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Superintendent, said, "The foundation of our school improvement effort relies on having a principal who is the instructional leader. We are excited to have someone return to the principalship after serving as an instructional supervisor. Ms. Bowen knows instruction well, and she knows how to support teachers to make them the best they can be."
Mr. Lucas entered the field of education after retiring from a twenty-year career in the United States Marine Corps. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Excelsior College and his Master's from the University of Illinois. After his retirement from the Marines, he was the Fitness Director at the Naval Health Clinic in Great Lakes, Illinois. In 2008, he began teaching in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program at Huntingtown High. After earning his administrator credentials from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, he was appointed as vice principal at Patuxent High and then Huntingtown High. Dr. Curry believes Mr. Lucas' diverse experiences will serve him well as he steps in to lead a school. "I really like the idea of having a retired Marine as high school principal," said Dr. Curry. "He knows what effective leadership looks like and will get his team moving toward the same goal—student success. He knows what the job of high school principal requires, and he has had the opportunity to learn it from some of our best. We expect great success at Calvert High."
Both appointments will begin on July 1, 2016.