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2006 Assistant Principal of the Year
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| Robert A. Motley Centennial High School-Howard County |
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Robert A. Motley is the 2006 Maryland Assistant Principal of the Year. He began his educational career as French teacher at Stephen Decatur Middle School in Prince George’s County in 1994. He moved to Howard County in 1997 teaching French at Atholton High School until 2001. His first administrative position was at Howard High School as an assistant principal. He was transferred to Centennial High School in July 2004. Motley’s undergraduate degree was earned at George Washington University. His Master’s degree was earned at the University of Maryland, College Park. As an assistant principal, the ability to collaborate with others is essential to be an effective leader. Collaboration encompasses all stakeholders of the schoolhouse and is instrumental in the success or failure of any endeavor. Creating a master schedule is not always a collaborative effort but Mr. Motley has made it one by involving teachers, parents, guidance counselors, feeder schools, and the community. He addressed parental concerns regarding possible scheduling conflicts and involved Instructional Team Leaders to provide input into the overall development of the master schedule. He was able to model for the Instructional Team Leaders how to effectively empower a group with varying agendas and work towards consensus. Working with the feeder middle schools to establish visitation dates, to coordinate the articulation between high school and middle school teachers and to work to meet registration deadlines all require the collaboration of not only the master scheduler and each school but also requires the master scheduler to facilitate the collaboration between all parties involved. It encompasses instilling in others the ability to effectively work with others. He was involved in the school improvement process at Howard High School, which afforded him the opportunity to work closely in establishing and monitoring school performance and goals. It was his responsibility as the data collector to monitor and inform not only members of his leadership team of progress and setbacks, but to inform the faculty as well. It was through the use of a dashboard monitoring system that he was able to report not only to faculty members but also to district representatives and parents. Successes were celebrated and setbacks required reexamination of strategies that had been implemented. At Centennial High School he has set a personal goal of visiting three classrooms daily. Visiting three classrooms is not to be defined as three formal classroom observations. It is his intent to get into the classrooms to get to know the teachers and students, to interact and participate in the learning process that is taking place. This usually involves a fifteen to twenty minute visit. He has been amazed by the positive response that this has garnered. After each visit he sends a note to the teacher thanking him/her for allowing him to visit. He applauds exemplary teaching and offers reflective feedback when needed. Through these informal visits he is able to fulfill part of his responsibility as instructional leader and fulfill those day-to-day tasks that must be completed to keep the school functioning. He has been pleased to see that this practice is now a part of each administrator’s daily routine in his school. At Centennial he works closely with the Parents’ Council of Black Students. He is working to close the achievement gap and in turn to see that the voice of that eight percent of the school is heard. He has gathered all of the necessary data, grade point averages, percentage in various level courses, percentage at basic, proficient and advanced levels on assessments, SAT scores, attendance rates and suspension data. Monthly meetings are held and a plan has been developed to address the achievement gap. Solutions ranging from creating a safe, nurturing environment to increasing diversity of the staff to partnering with the Howard County Council of Black Elders are now in place. In order to assure that the educational programs and instruction is occurring, administrators must constantly observe and evaluate those individuals charged with carrying out such plans, the teachers. Motley shares with teachers that his role is to help teachers to be the very best teachers that they can be. Improving instruction has as its byproduct increased student achievement. Through his daily visits to classrooms, his formal observations and his portfolio reviews coupled with his interactions with the Instructional Team Leaders and district resource teachers, he encourages teachers to be reflective and flexible in their thinking and teaching to address the unique needs of all students. Daniel J. Michaels, Director of Secondary Administration notes, "The impact of a highly effective assistant principal on the positive climate and environment for learning within a school is well recognized. Mr. Motley has been instrumental in elevating the climate, sense of professionalism, and recognition of the accomplishments of students, staff, and faculty in each of his school assignments. He is a leader that demonstrates his commitment and his values each day and in each interaction." His colleague, Shawn Hastings says, "Honest and direct, Robert maintains an idealistic outlook while tempering any impractical romanticism with the prudent practically that is so much a part of his sensible down to earth nature... Most worthy of note is Robert's gift of identifying student's needs, encouraging their contributions, and involving them as stakeholders in the decisions that impact their degree of success both inside and outside of school." His former principal, Mary Day said, "Mr. Motley is a highly intelligent gentleman of impeccable character. Endowed with exceptional leadership abilities, Mr. Motley also has great wisdom and wisdom for educational administration.. A very warm, gentle, generous person, Mr. Motley is a strong leader who is admired by staff, parents and students for his professionalism and fairness in responding to any situation." His current principal, R. Scott Pfeifer says of him, "He is bright, articulate, affable, and easy to work with. He combines a series of professional attributes that together make him an excellent administrator. Whether working with students, parents, or staff, Mr. Motley has skills that help him succeed in every endeavor he undertakes. Mr. Motley will be honored in Washington this spring during the two-day recognition program where honorees will participate in professional development and networking activities with their peers. He will also be acknowledged during the upcoming NASSP Convention in Reno during the Second General Session. His name has been submitted for the national assistant principal of the year award. |
