Award Criteria
- Current members of MAESP are eligible
- Nominations must be received by August 30th, 2025. Awardees will be celebrated at our fall conference in Ocean City (November 6-8, 2025)
- One award will be granted per Maryland county/district (24 total). Nominations should be completed using our online form. Please submit only ONE nomination form per candidate
- Previous winners are not eligible
Nominees are expected to embody the qualities of a connected school leader (noted below). If you have questions, please contact Dr. Christopher Wooleyhand, MAESP Executive Director, at chriswooleyhand@maesp.org
Background
Connectedness, noun
-the fact of being or feeling socially, emotionally, spiritually, or professionally linked with others or with another, or the robustness of such relationships.
Connected leaders…
-Work With Connectedness: Within your organization, help your colleagues understand how their efforts fit in the larger picture. You can be a leader in building teams and helping people feel important.
-Lead With Connectedness: Your philosophy in life compels you to move beyond your own self-interests and the interests of your immediate constituency and sphere of influence. As such, you see the broader implications for your community and the world. Explore ways to communicate these insights to others.
-Live With Connectedness: Help people see the connections among their talents, their actions, their mission, and their successes. When people believe in what they are doing and feel like they are part of something bigger, commitment to achievement is enhanced.
Past Winners:
2024
Beth Allshouse, Principal, Northern Middle School
Cindy Bell, Principal, Eldersburg Elementary
Dr. Kelly Hall, Chief of Equity, Engagement, and Early Access, SMCPS
Joshua Hamborsky, Principal, Pocomoke Elementary
Emmanuel Jean-Phillipe, Principal, Arcola Elementary
Sparkle Jefferson, Assistant Principal, Flintstone Elementary
Elena Lokounia, Principal, Baltimore International Academy East
Ashley Moore, Principal, Empowerment Academy
Dr. Tangela Scales, Principal, Gale-Bailey Elementary
Connie Stahler, Principal, Laurel Woods Elementary
Briana Walker, Assistant Principal, Greensboro Elementary
Julia Walsh, Principal, Tyler Heights Elementary
Christopher Yancone, Principal, North Harford Elementary
Lita Yates, Principal, Fox Chapel Elementary
2023
Catherine “Cat” Cramer, Principal, Parr’s Ridge Elementary
Dr. Jessica Grant, Principal, James Ryder Randall Elementary
Nikki Harrison, Assistant Principal, Thurgood Marshall Elementary
Justin Holbrook, Principal, Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle
Nina Lattimore, Principal, Colin Powell Academy
Dr. Dana McCauley, Principal, Crellin Elementary
Dan Notari, Principal, St. John’s Lane Elementary
Dr. Sharon H. Porter, Principal, Rose Valley Elementary
Rebecca Reese, Principal, Magnolia Elementary