2004 Principals of the Year
Congratulations to our best...

   He began his educational career as a social studies teacher in Fredericksburg, Virginia at James Monroe High School before coming to Maryland at John Hanson Middle School in Charles County. He moved to Westlake High School as a teacher and then accepted his first administrative appointment there as vice principal. In 1997 he was named principal at John Hanson Middle School and in 2000 became the principal at Thomas Stone High School. He is presently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Maryland College Park where he received his Masters of Art in Education Administration in 1994. His undergraduate degree was earned at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

   His goal at Thomas Stone was to focus on instruction. After many meetings with teachers, parents, and students the decision was made that one way to achieve academic excellence would be to increase and improve the advanced placement program. At the time there were only 135 students involved in the seven different AP classes in a school of over 1700 students. Minority enrollment was only 13% in a school that had over 40% minority population.

   The school team contacted individuals from the College Board and visited schools with outstanding AP programs to gather data on how to implement the program effectively. The Charles County Central Office provided materials of instruction and training that was essential to the program’s success. This past year there were 850 students in the 21 AP offerings and 96% of them took the AP exam. Minority participation in the AP program has grown from 13% to 31%.

   It was necessary to create a proactive and rigorous support program to ensure success for these students. AP academic assistance was offered before and after school during the school year and on the weekends prior to the exam period. The feeder middle schools will be involved this year in after school AP programs to prepare the students for high school success. There is an annual AP Information Night that attracts over 300 parents. The AP Student Council provides valuable feedback and insight into the program. One of their suggestions resulted in a video that is on the school website and is sent out to interested students and parents.

   This program has earned Thomas Stone local, state and national recognition. The school was recognized by Newsweek as one of the top 3% of high schools in the country because of the AP program. The AP teachers were recognized by the AIMMS committee for their efforts in assisting minority students to be successful.

   The bottom line is how does this program benefit students? Last year’s graduating class was the first to take full advantage of the program. Over 68% of the students were accepted into post-secondary education, the highest in the school’s history, and they accumulated over 4.2 million dollars in scholarship money, the highest in the school system. Not surprising, SAT scores have risen each year that the program has been in place.

   Last year Morrison won the Washington Post Distinguished Educator Leadership Award as well as the MASC State Principal of the Year award. He received the Charles County Student Council award in 2001.

   According to one of his teachers, "Mr. Morrison is every teacher’s dream. He has a wide and current knowledge of curriculum and instruction, which allows him to set his academic focus and to manage its implementation with skill and efficacy. He encourages all teachers to attend conferences, both as learners and presenters, and to participate on school improvement committees." A student said "Mr. Morrison is an outstanding leader in the school system. He not only has original ideas to improve the school, but he has the passion to implement his strategies and the ability to get students on board to improve the school." And his superintendent commented "He sets high standards for students and staff and encourages students to reach their potential and to challenge themselves. The most amazing thing, however, is that this is only the beginning. I am confident that Mr. Morrison will continue to raise the level of expectations and excellence so that Thomas Stone’s students will continue to reach new levels of excellence."

   She began her teaching career in Worcester County as a mathematics teacher at the Worcester County Vocational Technical Center and then moved to Wicomico County to teach mathematics at Wicomico Senior High School and at North Salisbury Elementary School. In 1997 she was appointed assistant principal at Pittsville Elementary and Middle School and in 1999 assistant principal at Salisbury Middle School. She became the principal there in 2000. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Salisbury State College. Her Masters degree in Education was also earned at Salisbury University. She plans to begin a doctorate program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the fall.

   Salisbury Middle School draws from a diverse population ranging from the very wealthiest families in the county to those who may be homeless at any point in the school year. The minority population is 62%, FARM 50%, and Special Education 14% (including severe and profoundly handicapped). When Ms. Townsend came to the school approximately 40% of the staff was non-tenured. Her challenge over the past five years has been to create a cohesive school learning community, which fulfills the quote, recited daily on the morning announcements - "Our mission at SMS is to create a learning environment that focuses on success for all." Because middle school years have been identified as potentially the most difficult time in a child’s life, therefore the philosophy at Salisbury Middle School is that ALL middle school students are at-risk at some point in their adolescent years. Meeting success must come in the form of academic, social, and behavioral improvement, intervention, and achievement. Ultimately the goal is to develop mutual respect and create productive citizens in the school and beyond.

   Along with the School Improvement Team, the SMS staff and the community as a whole, she is continually reflecting on the successes and the growth opportunities that they have gleaned from previous endeavors in the school, as well as anticipating and planning for improvement opportunities and solutions to future problems. This reflection and planning takes place in the form of faculty meetings, School Improvement Teams meetings, Principal’s Advisory Team, Parent Advisory Team, floor meetings, academic team meetings, and PTA meetings.

   Some of the academic, social, and behavioral programs and interventions that are in place at SMS include: Gentlemen’s Club, Ladies Club, RESPECT Campaign, Minority Achievement Academy, International Club, Bible Club, SHOUT (Students Helping Others Understand Themselves), intramurals, SMS Football Club, SMS Steppers, Saturday Academy, Chess Club, Drama Club, Quilting Club, Eagle Stars 21st Century Community Learning Center after-school program, Destination Imagination (world finalist last year), Cheerleading Club, Yearbook and Newspaper Club, Quarterly Book Report Winners Club and Reading Rally (state finalists last year). Other activities include a Student Talent Show and Faculty Follies, Madden Madness (football statistics club), Straight A Breakfast and Honor Roll Snack (by term), weekly after-school tutoring program, National Junior Honor Society, Student Government Association, grade level bands and choruses, Teen Focus groups, Family Reading and Math nights, Signsations (sign language choir), and CARES - Children At-Risk Educationally and Socially.

   Her superintendent said "High expectations have been established by Mrs. Townsend over the past four years for both teachers and students. Recognition activities for staff and students are a common occurrence, and there is a sense of pride which permeates the entire school." One of her teacher’s noted, "What makes Mrs. Townsend shine among other principals is her dedication and passion. Mrs. Townsend’s primary objective is success for all - students, teachers, and parents. She is always seeking activities that will help others be successful. She treats all members of the Salisbury Middle School Community like family, seeking to provide opportunities that will improve or enhance their potential for success."

   A parent said "She leads by example, prioritizing objectives, fostering communication, facilitating creative solutions and providing constant feedback to her staff and parent community alike."

   In addition to being a member of MASSP and NASSP she is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the Association of Principals, Supervisors, and Specialists for Wicomico County, serving as President 2002-2004 and the Eastern Shore Reading Council.

   Mrs. Townsend will be honored at the NASSP/MetLife Principal of the Year Program in Washington, DC this fall.