Alban Named 2017 Maryland Superintendent of the Year

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Alban Named 2017 Maryland Superintendent of the Year

The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM) named Frederick County Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Theresa R. Alban 2017 Maryland Superintendent of the Year at an event on Thursday, October 27. Dr. Alban now goes on to represent Maryland in the 2017 National Superintendent of the Year program, coordinated by the American Association of School Administrators.

Dr. David Cox, President of PSSAM, stated: "Dr. Alban is a highly valued colleague and a leader in our organization, always advocating for what is best for all of Maryland's children. Her distinguished leadership has led to more Frederick County Public Schools students taking a more rigorous course of study. We are fortunate in Maryland to have Dr. Alban serve as our 2017 Superintendent of the Year, representing the best of leadership for learning for all students."

Dr. Alban is serving in her sixth year as Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools. She was appointed to a four-year term beginning July 1, 2011 and was reappointed to a second four-year term beginning July 1, 2015. She is responsible for overseeing the academic achievement of more than 41,000 students. A committee of her peers selected her Superintendent of the Year.

The members of the elected Board of Education of Frederick County nominated Dr. Alban for the award: "Anyone who has worked with her knows that she’s a truly outstanding leader. I’m extremely proud that she’s received this well-deserved recognition. But I’m even prouder that FCPS has such an effective leader working on behalf of our students every single day," said Board President Brad Young.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Michael Markoe agrees: "Dr. Alban is totally committed to the students and families of Frederick County. This award confirms what FCPS teachers, administrators and staff have known for years – Dr. Alban is an amazing advocate for our schools, our students, our teachers, and our community."

Several community leaders, including County Executive Jan Gardner, Frederick County PTA President Traci Tatum, Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Rick Weldon, Acela Technologies President and CEO Daryl Boffman, Tom Lynch of Miles & Stockbridge, Kate Surdez of AstraZeneca, and Dr. Steve Lockard, Deputy Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, wrote letters of support on her behalf. Many FCPS employees submitted testimonials on her behalf as well. All consistently praised Dr. Alban’s focus on students and her outstanding efforts to build relationships with parents, businesses, and the wider community.

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner was among the first to congratulate Dr. Alban. "Dr. Alban makes Frederick County proud. Not only is she committed to exceptional educational outcomes for all our students, she is also focused on the county’s long-term economic prosperity by ensuring a well-educated work force," said County Executive Gardner.

Alban earned her doctorate in Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation from the University of Maryland, College Park, after receiving her master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Loyola College in Baltimore and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, summa cum laude, from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore. She began her career as an elementary and special education teacher in Baltimore County Public Schools. There she wrote curriculum and served as a supervisor of professional development. From 2000-2005 she worked in Montgomery County Public Schools as coordinator of student assessment, coordinator of program evaluation and director of the Shared Accountability Office. She then served in the Howard County Public School System in several positions, including chief operating officer and executive director of Strategic Planning, Assessment, and Program Evaluation.

The author of numerous papers and studies, Dr. Alban has addressed topics such as formative assessments, value-added accountability models and reading achievement. She is a recognized expert in the areas of school and teacher effectiveness. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate classes at the College of Notre Dame and Towson University.

Dr. Alban is an active member in several civic and community organizations in Frederick County, including Rotary and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband reside in Frederick. They have two grown children.

Three FCPS Superintendents, including Dr. Alban, have been recognized as Maryland Superintendents of the Year, the most of any Maryland county in the last 30 years. Previous Frederick County winners were Dr. Noel Farmer in 1993 and Dr. Jack Dale in 2000.