2008 Assistant Principal of the Year Congratulations to our best...

Brenda Wilks Gaithersburg High School-Montgomery County

Brenda Wilks, Assistant Principal at Gaithersburg High School, was named the Maryland Assistant Principal of the Year. Brenda was instrumental in creating a program called "Student Action Plan Against Failure." Through this program students receive interim grades and progress reports and if they did not meet the desired standard they met with Brenda and the guidance staff to examine the plan and determine what adjustments needed to be made. Brenda was also instrumental in creating METS- "The Multidisciplinary Education, Training, and Support Program" at Gaithersburg. This program provides specialized support within the ESOL department and addresses among other issues, acculturation and family reunification. Thanks to her involvement in High School Plus, an after school program designed for students who have failed or lost credit in a core course, over 200 students were successfully mentored and tutored She is responsible for introducing the FiSH philosophy to her school staff and has created a more positive staff attitude in the school. As a bilingual educator, this Brenda is heavily involved in the Latino Parent Outreach program at her school. She created a "librito de telephono" or little phone book for her parents who have found it to be extremely helpful in working with the school and their children. Her Deputy Superintendent asked her to serve on the Latino Coalition for Montgomery county and she has become an active member of the coalition. In his letter of support, her Community Superintendent stated that, "She excels in building relationships with parents and community." He described a particular incident where the AP or the Year monitored a student on a daily basis to ensure her graduation. A staff member wrote, "At our high school there is a wonderful partnership between staff, ESOL parents, students and community. Her leadership fosters a humane and effective educational environment." A member of the junior class at her high school commented that, "She is a great role model that students and parents alike can look up to. She always comes to school excited and armed with a smile to be able to perform her best throughout the day."