La Plata, MD- Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is looking for nominees for its annual Principal of the Year award. The award honors exemplary leaders for not only their leadership, but for their commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment for students. The principal chosen for the honor will also represent CCPS as the county finalist for the Washington Post Principal of the Year award.

Each year, the Post selects an overall award recipient for its Principal of the Year award from among finalists in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Principals can be nominated by staff, students, parents, colleagues or community members, but are not eligible if they have received the honor in the past.

Criteria for nominees includes five years of experience as a principal, three of which are required to be with CCPS, and a commitment to maintain their position as a principal with the school system for the 2019-20 school year.

Additional nomination criteria are:

  • Manage effectively;
  • Demonstrate and encourage creativity and innovation;
  • Foster cooperation between the school and community;
  • Maintain a dialogue with students, parents and staff;
  • Encourage team spirit;
  • Stay aware of developments in the field of education;
  • Demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment; and
  • Continue to play an active role in the classroom.

Nomination materials must be submitted electronically, which is a change from previous award years. Materials should include a nominee career summary, 200-word biography, minimum of four statements of support, descriptions of contributions in each criteria area and headshot photograph.

More details are posted online at https://tinyurl.com/y98axmxa. Deadline for submission of nominations is Friday, Dec. 7. Materials should be sent by email to Ramona DiBenedetto in the CCPS Office of Human Resources at rdibenedetto@ccboe.com. Call 301-934-7242 with questions.