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NEWS FROM PSSAM
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Spotlight: Finalists Named for AASA’s 2026 National Superintendent of the Year® Award
Press Release from AASA HQ December 15, 2025 Contact: Lara Wade Director of Communications Mobile: 813-833-1498 lwade@aasa.org Honorees include superintendents from Kentucky, Texas, Maine and Maryland Alexandria, Va. – Dec. 15, 2025 – AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is proud to announce the four finalists for the prestigious 2026 National Superintendent of the Year ® Award. This award, co-presented by AASA, Corebridge Financial , and Sourcewell , recognizes ex
Dec 15, 2025
Spotlight: How No Kid Hungry is Helping Feed Students in Maryland School
The Today Show December 2, 2025 Featured on The Today Show on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, Caroline County Public Schools and other rural districts on the Eastern Shore of Maryland are tackling food insecurity. "At Greensboro Elementary School in Caroline County in Maryland, students are getting a valuable boost in nutrition thanks to the non-profit No Kid Hungry — and it extends beyond classroom walls. The school system sends food home on Fridays for families who need it ove
Dec 4, 2025
Spotlight: Baltimore County schools leader Myriam Rogers up for national award
The Baltimore Sun By: Racquel Bazos November 22, 2025 The superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools is a finalist in the The School Superintendents Association’s 2026 Women in School Leadership Awards, the association announced Thursday. Myriam Rogers is one of two finalists in the superintendent category, alongside Crystal Turner, superintendent of Saddleback Valley Unified School District in California. Rogers began her tenure as superintendent in 2023. “These acco
Nov 24, 2025
Spotlight: Crofton High Schools' Danielle Crankfield Named National School Counselor of the Year
Anne Arundel County Public Schools Press Release November 17, 2025 Danielle Crankfield had a little trouble understanding just what was going on as she walked into the media center at Crofton High School this afternoon. Students, current and former colleagues, Board of Education members, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell – and even her parents, two aunts, and two nephews – were poised to deliver a surprise message: She’s the best in the country. Crankfield was named 2
Nov 18, 2025
City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises named 2026 Maryland Superintendent of the Year
Press Release October 30, 2024 Ocean City, Maryland - The Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland (PSSAM) has announced that Dr. Sonja Santelises, Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore City Public Schools, has been selected as the 2026 Maryland Superintendent of the Year. The award is presented annually to a Maryland superintendent who shows excellence in educational leadership, communication, professionalism, and community involvement. “Being chosen by my peers
Oct 30, 2025
Spotlight: 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year Awarded to ALonna Soward Puryear of Frederick County Public Schools
Frederick County Public Schools Press Release September 26, 2025 Monocacy Elementary teacher ALonna Soward-Puryear was named the 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year by the Maryland State Department of Education Friday night. She received news of this prestigious honor at the conclusion of the Maryland State Teacher of the Year gala in Cockeysville, MD. Earlier this month, MSDE named Soward-Puryear as one of seven semifinalists for Maryland Teacher of the Year. Soward-Puryear
Sep 29, 2025
PSSAM Seeks Legislative Intern for 2026 Maryland General Assembly Session
Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland September 17, 2025 The Public Schools Superintendents’ Association of Maryland...
Sep 17, 2025
Spotlight: Finalists Announced for 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year
Maryland State Dept of Education September 05, 2025 Today, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Maryland State Board of Education announced the seven local school system finalists for 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year. The finalists are Jacqueline Sanderson, Anne Arundel County Public Schools; Jevons Liu, Baltimore City Public Schools; ALonna Soward-Puryear, Frederick County Public Schools; Natalie Pretzello, Howard County Public School System; Marcie Mamas,
Sep 5, 2025
Spotlight: Dr. Cheryl Dyson Honored with National Cookerly Exceptional School Superintendent Award
Frederick County Public Schools August 12, 2025 " FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson was selected as the recipient of the Tom Cookerly Exceptional School Superintendent Award by the National Center for Children and Families. This award was named after Cookerly, who believed that every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn, thrive and succeed – regardless of circumstances. Cookerly founded The Neediest Kids program in 1972, partnering with school districts to ensur
Aug 14, 2025
Spotlight // Leading with Purpose: Dr. Taylor in SchoolCEO
SchoolCEO July 31, 2025 The Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland is proud to highlight that SchoolCEO magazine’s Summer 2025 issue features Dr. Thomas Taylor, Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The profile highlights Dr. Taylor’s dynamic leadership, student-centered vision, and the values he brings to one of the nation’s largest school districts. The article, titled “Southern Hospitality,” offers a compelling look at his journey an
Jul 31, 2025
Spotlight: Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell Earns National Leadership in School Communications Award
Eye on Annapolis May 04, 2025 Image source: Eye on Annapolis Citing a commitment to transparency and enhancing relationships with stakeholders through a variety of avenues, the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) has named Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell as its 2025 winner of the Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award. The award is given annually by NSPRA to recognize outstanding leadership in school public relations and communicatio
May 7, 2025
Conduit Street Podcast: "Education Priorities for Maryland’s Future" featuring PSSAM's Own, Mary Pat Fannon
Maryland Association of Counties: Conduit Street Hosts Michael Sanderson & Sarah Sample January 31, 2024 The newest Conduit Street...
Apr 7, 2025
SB 429/HB 504 Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act
BILL: SB 429/HB 504 TITLE: Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act DATE: February 19, 2025 POSITION: Favorable with Amendments...
Apr 7, 2025
Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland Legislative & Policy Recommendations for 2025 Legislative Session
December 11, 2024 You can view PSSAM's Legislative and Policy Recommendations for the 2025 Legislative Session here . PSSAM Legislative...
Apr 7, 2025
HB 772 (Crossover) Education - Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students - Alterations
BILL: HB 1127 TITLE: Education - Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students - Alterations DATE: April 02,...
Apr 7, 2025
HB 1127 (Crossover) Public Schools - Water Safety and Swimming - Instructional Content
BILL: HB 1127 TITLE: Public Schools - Water Safety and Swimming - Instructional Content DATE: April 02, 2025 POSITION: Unfavorable...
Apr 3, 2025
SB 887 (Crossover) County Boards of Education - Reappointment of Incumbent County Superintendent - Authorization
BILL: SB 887 TITLE: County Boards of Education - Reappointment of Incumbent County Superintendent - Authorization DATE: March 27,...
Apr 3, 2025
SB 770 Public Schools and Youth Services – Crisis Support and Assistance and Workgroup Study
BILL: SB 770 TITLE: Public Schools and Youth Services – Crisis Support and Assistance and Workgroup Study DATE: March 26, 2025...
Apr 3, 2025
HB 1378 Child Sexual Abuse Claims Against the State - Time Limitation
BILL: HB 1378 TITLE: Child Sexual Abuse Claims Against the State - Time Limitation DATE: March 26, 2025 POSITION: Favorable with Amendment COMMITTEE: House Judiciary Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, supports House Bill 1378 with an amendment. This bill prohibits certain actions under the Child Victims Act against th
Apr 3, 2025
SB 451 (Crossover) Adult Education - High School Diploma by Examination - Requirements and Study
BILL: SB 451 TITLE: Adult Education - High School Diploma by Examination - Requirements and Study DATE: March 19, 2025...
Mar 12, 2025
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