Welcome Blueprint Committees, HCPS Leadership, and Collaborative Partners to the 2023-2024 HCPS School Year!
HCPS Leaders Weigh-in on Blueprint Return-on-Investment
For 177 HCPS leaders, the return-on-investment was highest for mental health supports, apprenticeships, and the expansion of pre-k. These areas have a lot to celebrate and accomplish as we implement the Blueprint with the focus on student achievement. Areas judged as least effective in terms of return-on-investment represent areas of opportunity for advocacy, communication, and deeper stakeholder engagement. With many leaders and experts working tirelessly to implement the Blueprint, this survey provides a valuable point-in-time perspective for all committees to incorporate in their work ahead.
Committee Member Highlight
Samantha Cruz, Steering Committee
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Harford Community Action Agency
Samantha relocated to Harford County in 2013 from Puerto Rico to pursue educational opportunities offered by Harford Community College and later Townson University. Samantha has worked with the Harford Community Action Agency since 2017 and is passionate about bridging gaps in services to connect Harford County residents to community resources. Samantha is thrilled to form part of the HCPS Blueprint Steering Committee where she is able to provide guidance, support, and a voice for the Spanish-speaking population.
Kira Sconion, Steering Committee
Vice President of Product Management
NAACP Member & Vice President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council - Harford Alumni Council
Kira Sconion has worked in the education sector for almost ten years, leading teams who develop degree programs, overseeing product launches and identifying initiatives to improve student success at all levels. As the current president of the League of Women Voters of Harford County and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for almost 25 years, Kira has been advocating for years for policies and legislature, including the Blueprint, that will ensure more equitable access to a quality education for all students, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, ability or other factors. She is excited about how the Blueprint will address disparities in education that affect communities of color and other underserved and underrepresented groups. Kira is a proud steering committee member and is passionate about empowering students to reach their full potential!
Bill Martin, Steering Committee
Teacher, HCPS; Mayor Havre de Grace
Bill Martin lives in Havre de Grace with his wife and 3 children. Bill has been a U.S. History teacher at Aberdeen Middle School since 1998. He has also served as the Mayor of Havre de Grace since 2015, serving on the Havre de Grace City Council for 7 years prior to that. Bill is proud to serve on the Blueprint Steering committee, as it gives him the opportunity to combine these two passions of his: public education and public service. Bill looks forward to the continued work of this committee and the positive impact Blueprint will have on our HCPS system and the larger community.
Martha Barwick, Elevating Educators Sub-Committee
Supervisor of Innovation in Learning, HCPS
Martha provides oversight to library media programming, gifted and talented teachers, and digital teaching and learning in Harford County Public Schools. Although many connect Martha with her passion for instructional technology and the role of technology in extending teaching and learning, she also has a deep commitment and passion to the professional development of teachers and supporting teachers in building their own professional capacity. Martha is honored to be representing educators in the Elevating Educators Committee and exploring ways to elevate the profession of teaching.
What are Maryland Counties planning for Pre-K expansion?
In June, Conduit Street, a publication from the Maryland Association of Counties, released an article outlining the Pre-k plans found in each county's' Blueprint Implementation Plan, "Counties Plan for Pre-K Expansion and the Blueprint’s Early Childhood Education Priorities."
County Leaders Dive Into the Challenges and Opportunities of Pre-K Expansion at #MACoCon
At MACo 2023 Summer Conference, education leaders discussed the expansion of full-day Pre-K and early childhood education under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and the challenges and opportunities facing county governments to do so. Read Full Article HERE.
Since July 1, 2023, our staff management team has hired 276 certificated staff and 115 support staff into our HCPS family. We'd like to welcome all our new hires and wish them a wonderful first year; we know they will shine bright! A huge shout out to everyone on the recruitment team who is out on the front lines year-round to find the best of the best to join HCPS. We appreciate their dedication. Follow our recruitment team on social media to learn about current openings and share the posts to help us spread the word.
- Facebook - @HCPSRecruiter
- Instagram - hcpsrecruiter
- Twitter - @HCPSRecruiter
Talent Pathways is a 5-year, multi-tiered, strategic initiative to support HCPS recruitment and retention goals. This Needs Assessment Report, 2022-2023, serves as an opportunity to capture the current state of HCPS's talent pathways and identify complements to expand and extend our efforts as we continue to develop a pool of teacher candidates' representative of the local community.
with our very own Dr. Rebecca Gault
"As we face the open road of a new school year, Dr. Rebecca Gault reflects on raising the bar over 30+ years as a 9th grade English teacher - from nurturing students’ academics & mental health, to acknowledging the challenges of being an educator."
Watch the full video, HERE.
Washington Post Article: Teacher shortages have gotten worse. Here’s how schools are coping, August 24, 2023
In an analysis of 37 states, researchers found teacher vacancies grew 35 percent.
- Read Full Article Here.
- This article references data from Teachershortages.com, which is derived from a research project by Tuan D. Nguyen, Chanh B. Lam, and Paul Bruno as well as a research project by Tuan D. Nguyen, Josh Bleiberg, Patricia Saenz-Armstrong and Chanh B. Lam
- For the full publication, see Nguyen, T. D., Lam, C. B., & Bruno, P. (2022). Is there a national teacher shortage? A systematic examination of reports of teacher shortages in the United States. (EdWorkingPaper: 22-631). Annenberg Institute at Brown University. https://doi.org/10.26300/76eq-hj32
Maryland Matters Article: Prospective teachers appreciate Educator Shortage Act, some still want improvements, June 29, 2023
Maryland lawmakers admit it can take several years, and multiple attempts, from when a bill is introduced until it is passed. But some teachers-in-training pushed to make sure that didn’t happen in this year’s 90-day legislative session. Read Full Article Here.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has created a data brief focusing on the impact of National Board Certification for teachers. This data brief provides insights into the effects of National Board Certification on teaching effectiveness and academic outcomes. National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) play a pivotal role within the Blueprint, where they are incentivized to maintain their certification, work in low-performing schools, and to maintain a classroom presence throughout their advancement in their career.
Join Harford County business and education professionals at the Harford County Education Foundation's Excellence in Education Showcase and Awards Breakfast. The event showcases HCPS students sharing their educational experiences as they prepare to enter postsecondary and career pathways critical for a strong workforce. The event will recognize Excellence in Education Award recipients who commit time and resources to HCPS through high performance community partnerships. The proceeds from the Excellence in Education Breakfast supports essential programs that provide vulnerable children with the tools needed to participate in high quality learning, empowering all students to achieve academic and personal success. Purchase individual tickets or tables at https://bit.ly/ExcellenceinEducationBreakfast.
HCPS Receives $1 million in Grant Funding for Youth Apprenticeship Program
We are proud to share that last week, the Maryland State Department of Education announced Harford County Public Schools is one of the nine recipients of the Maryland Works grant this year! The $1 million will help strengthen our Apprenticeship Maryland Program by placing seven school-based apprenticeship and workforce development teacher specialists in our high schools to help invest in our committed business partners and increase enrollment capacity for students. Ultimately, the goal is to have at least 10% of our high school graduating seniors participating in a registered youth apprenticeship by 2025!
Out of a competitive pool of 38 applicants, an exceptional cohort of four students were chosen in June as the inaugural group of HCPS Defense Interns (DI) through the prestigious Apprenticeship Maryland Program. This marks the commencement of a transformative journey for these students, who will be immersed in invaluable hands-on experiences within four distinguished sponsor companies – BRAVURA, EMERALD, OMNI, and SURVICE. This remarkable opportunity not only reflects the students' exceptional abilities but also the commitment of the participating companies to shape and nurture the future talents of the defense industry.
Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction Report 2022-2023 School Year
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requires each local school system to submit a tutoring report to the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) on or before September 1, 2023, for the prior school year. This report encompasses the number of students served by grade and subject, the methods employed for student selection, budget and expenditure details, tutoring models (including session specifics), and student outcome data categorized by various factors. You can access the complete report for the 2022-2023 school year through the provided link, HERE.
Department of Defense (DoDEA) - Language Immersion Program
Annapolis, MD, July 27 - The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability & Implementation Board (AIB) is pleased to announce the approval of the initial Blueprint implementation plans from all 24 school districts. This decision was made at the AIB’s July 27 board meeting. Read Full Release Here.
Key Message 1: A Comprehensive Approach to Create Equitable Outcomes -
The Blueprint is a 10-year education transformational commitment that combines school funding and innovative policies to support and empower schools and districts to create the education system that meets the needs of all students and their communities.
Key Message 2: Total Commitment Required and Role of AIB -
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability & Implementation Board (AIB) exists to
safeguard the overall goals of the Blueprint and to provide oversight, support, and guidance to State and local governments to help them implement their plans to reach every student and achieve the goals of their plans.
Key Message 3: The Promise and Opportunity -
Through this transformation, Maryland can co-create an education system that seeks to eliminate opportunity gaps so all students can fulfill their potential and the society as a whole benefits as well.
