St. Charles' Miesowitz Named Vice Principal of the Year

WALDORF, Md. (June 15, 2016)—At St. Charles High School, high expectations and a culture of achievement are the cornerstones for students and staff. Students are motivated to put their best efforts forward when working in the classroom, while participating in extracurricular activities or simply transitioning to class in the school hallways. The Spartan school spirit embodies commitment to success and achievement, but also respect for one's self and others. Melissa Miesowitz, a vice principal at St. Charles, embodies the Spartan spirit and more as she demonstrates respect and a positive attitude in all that she does.

For her contributions to the St. Charles community, and hundreds of students throughout her career with the school system, Miesowitz was named the 2016 Charles County Public Schools Vice Principal of the Year. Miesowitz began her career with the school system as a special education teacher in 2002 at Henry E. Lackey High School and said she is honored to be recognized.

"I am really honored to receive this award. I was shocked when the staff at my school presented me with the nomination at our faculty meeting. I was completely surprised and overwhelmed. Then to actually win the award, was almost too much for words," Miesowitz said.

According to her colleagues, Miesowitz was instrumental in a successful opening of St. Charles High School in 2014. From taking on the large task of creating and implementing the school's master instructional schedule to making it a goal to connect with each student at St. Charles, Miesowitz is committed to supporting her peers and children. At the end of last school year, the special education department chair position was vacated, leaving several new teachers without guidance and support. As a former special education department chair, Miesowitz stepped in to help and mentored two teachers to take on overseeing the department as co-chairs.

"She is a great resource of information for caseload management due to her years as a special education teacher. Anytime I have requested access to databases or resources for my students, she has always made sure that I had what I needed as quickly as possible," Deatrice Short, a special education teacher at St. Charles, said in an award nomination letter.

Criteria for the Vice Principal of the Year award include a strong work ethic, commitment to the success of students and staff, and the ability to foster a positive learning environment. In comments written by her colleagues and students, Miesowitz is described as a leader who embodies these qualities, and more.

St. Charles freshman Jordan Eversley used the word devoted to describe his vice principal. "She is a very devoted vice principal at St. Charles High School. Helping kids if they are lost, making sure the cafeteria is clean when students leave, and always cheering up students if they are down," Eversley said.

St. Charles Principal Richard Conley has worked with Miesowitz for the past seven years—first as vice principals together at Lackey and now on the leadership team at St. Charles. He spearheaded her nomination for this recognition because he believes Miesowitz is a standout leader. Conley uses characteristics such as student-centered, compassionate and caring when referring to Miesowitz and said she truly leads by example.

"She leads by example, modeling a work ethic that she expects from others. Simply stated, she is one of the most professional, capable, compassionate and caring administrators with whom I have had the privilege to work. On any given day she takes on a wealth of responsibility and always manages to model professionalism for the students and staff around her. She is student centered and always makes the decisions that are in their best interest and the interests of good instruction," Conley wrote in a nomination letter.

Miesowitz started her career with Charles County Public Schools in 2002 at Lackey with the special education department. She took a position as an administrative assistant at the school in 2009 before being named as a vice principal at Lackey in 2012. She served as a vice principal at Lackey for two years and moved to St. Charles when the school opened in 2014.

Miesowitz is an example of an educator who truly enjoys working with children every day. "I want to thank the Board of Education for this award. I have been blessed to work with so many amazing educators throughout my years in Charles County Public Schools," she said.

Miesowitz has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from McDaniel College.

The Board of Education on June 14 honored Miesowitz with the Vice Principal of the Year award. Charles County Public Schools recognizes one outstanding vice principal with its Vice Principal of the Year award annually.