What an exciting time of year! Between May 24 and June 13, thousands of Montgomery County students are graduating from high school. Many will go on to Montgomery College or colleges and universities across the state, nation and world. Others […]
As you’ve heard me say many times before, All Means All. Montgomery County is a richly diverse community. Our 164,000 students come from more than 160 countries and speak 150 languages. I believe that diversity is an asset to be […]
Be sure to read this Op-Ed by Superintendent Jack Smith on MCPS’ efforts to address disparities in academic outcomes. The Op-Ed was featured in The Washington Post on Friday, May 3. For 50 years, the achievement gap in Montgomery County has grown […]
Last night, I had the privilege of attending our annual Champions for Children event, which celebrates excellence in education. I am always impressed with the exceptional staff who are nominated for the top awards in this county. They are tireless […]
Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded. ―Yogi Berra I have long been fascinated with the idea of the paradox. Most of us have some idea about paradoxes because they exist all around us in one form or another and […]
On February 13, Dr. Smith published the post, I love my job in MCPS, which discussed what he loves about this school system. This week, we are sharing voices from our community about the programs, experiences and culture they love and […]
We are shaped and fashioned by what we love. —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The art of love is largely the art of persistence. —Albert Ellis Few words are spoken as often or with as little care as the word love. […]
On January 16, 2019, I posted a blog about the value of partnerships and in particular, our Parent Teacher Associations. Read it here. The partnership between MCPS and the PTA is one of the most essential to student well-being and […]
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. ~ Helen Keller None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something […]
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~ Harold Wilson, UK Prime Minister, 1964-70, 1974-1976 Recently, I had the pleasure of gathering with Montgomery County Public Schools’ colleagues […]
A few weeks ago, I wrote about diversity, inclusion and equity. After posting that blog, a television commercial caught my attention and made me think. In the commercial, the speaker says, “The world in which we live equally distributes talent, […]
The concepts of diversity, inclusion and equity are often discussed in education, but less frequently understood. They are rarely opposed in abstract and general terms, but can face resistance when implementation is sought. If we, as educators, hope to achieve […]
Dr. Smith’s final blog of the school year takes a look at how the end of the school year brings exciting adventures for some students, and challenging days for others.
In this week’s blog, Dr. Smith discusses why it’s important to support students’ social, psychological and cognitive development: it’s critical to learning.
In this week’s blog, Dr. Smith takes a look at the critical skills, processes and attitudes that are essential to ensure students graduate college- and career-ready.
This week’s blog discusses how the nine people and organizations MCPS honored at its annual Champions for Children celebration embody the commitment and excellence within our school system and our community.
This week’s blog takes a closer look at how math is the foundation for STEM education, and how its deep understanding is crucial to success in high school and beyond.
In this week’s blog, Dr. Smith discusses the significance of exposing our youngest children to language-rich environments.
In this week’s blog, Dr. Smith talks about how teachers throughout his schooling influenced his life and helped set him on a path to college.
By working to remove barriers to learning, MCPS can promote school readiness and help each student come to school every day ready to learn.
In this week’s blog, Dr. Smith discusses how MCPS is helping more children access world languages. Bilingual education offers long-lasting benefits for students, which can include the Seal of Biliteracy on their high school diplomas.
This week in Dr. Smith’s blog, he discusses his recommended $2.59 billion Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Budget, and why it’s a sound investment in our students.
This week in Dr. Smith’s blog, he discusses how the MCPS Evidence of Learning framework will help us answer two very important questions—are our children learning and are they learning enough?
Finalizing next year’s school calendar has been complex, but the process is nearing its end. The Board of Education is expected to approve a 2018–2019 school calendar at its Nov. 14 business meeting.
In Dr. Smith’s latest blog, he takes a look at respect as a foundational core value. Respect helps build an excellent learning environment, ensures equity and helps create professional relationships with colleagues, students, parents and community members.
This week in Dr. Smith’s blog, he takes a look at respect as a foundational core value. Respect helps build an excellent learning environment, ensures equity and helps create professional relationships with colleagues, students, parents and community members.
This week in Dr. Smith’s blog, he discusses the process for developing the MCPS Fiscal Year 2019 operating and capital budgets. Working with input from a variety of stakeholders, many tough decisions have to be made, from technical to emotional.
This week in Dr. Smith’s blog, he discusses the process for developing the MCPS Fiscal Year 2019 operating and capital budgets. Working with input from a variety of stakeholders, many tough decisions have to be made, from technical to emotional.
This week in Dr. Smith’s blog, All In, he talks about the importance of preparing students for post-secondary education and careers.
In this installment of Dr. Smith’s blog, All In, he discusses that students must be allowed and encouraged to explore, but they also need care and protection as they take risks and test boundaries.
