The Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision is given annually by the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP), to recognize an outstanding administrator or supervisor of Montgomery County Public Schools. Eligible candidates include principals, assistant principals, school business administrators, directors, supervisors and other administrator and supervisory positions within the MCAAP/MCBOA unit. The award is presented by the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP), with the support of the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
Recognitions
Edward Shirley Award for Excellence Deans of Educational Administration Edye Miller Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Edward Shirley Award
for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision

Beth Thomas, Assistant Principal of Hallie Wells Middle School is the 2023 Awardee for the
Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision
Beth Thomas will be recognized at the Champions for Children event on Monday, April 24, 2023. This event will be held at the Blackrock Center for the Arts.
Ms. Thomas will also be recognized at the MCAAP Spring Meeting on May 17, 2023 which will be held at Top Golf in Germantown. She will also be recognized at the 2023 MCAAP Summer Leadership Conference in June 2023.
Past Award Winners:
2022-2023
Argyle MS
2021-2022
Bayard Rustin ES
2020-21
Curriculum and Instruction
2019-20
Celeste King
Southlake ES
2018-19
Myriam Yarbrough, EdD.
Paint Branch HS
2017-18
Audra Fladung
School Support and Improvement
2016-17
E. Frank Kaplan
Strawberry Knoll ES
2015-16
Betty Collins
Instructional Leadership Support
2014-15
Christine Handy
Gaithersburg HS
2013-14
Eugenia S. Dawson
Earle B. Wood MS
2012-13
Robert Domergue
Damascus HS
2011-12
Michael Bayewitz
Broad Acres ES
2010-11
Jeffrey M. Martinez
Organizational Development
2009-10
Sandra B. Sengstack
Human Resources
2008 - 09
Debra Mugge Ed.D
Argyle MS
2007-08
Carole C. Goodman
James Hubert Blake HS
2006-07
Robert Batress, Ph.D
Organizational Development
2005-06
Daniel J. Shea
Quince Orchard HS
2004-05
Phillip Gainous
Montgomery Blair HS
The 2023 Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision
The Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP) is pleased to announce that Ms. Beth F. Thomas, Assistant Principal, Hallie Wells Middle School, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the 2023 recipient of the Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision.
This prestigious award, given by MCAAP, is presented annually to an administrator or supervisor who exemplifies outstanding leadership and accomplishments in the areas of purposeful leadership, instructional or system wide leadership, human resources development, resource management, interpersonal skills, professional involvement, and community and stakeholder involvement.
In addition to her eight years of service in New York, Ms. Thomas has spent most of her educational career in MCPS. Over the last 28 years she has served as a special education teacher, special education resource teacher, alternative I teacher, and administrator. In 2006, Ms. Thomas became an administrator at James H. Blake High School. In 2016, she was appointed assistant principal to the newly opened Hallie Wells Middle School and has served there since.
Ms. Thomas is known for her passion for all students. She exhibits high energy and commitment to ensure that each student receives instructional and social emotional support that elevates their strengths. She tirelessly works with students, families, staff, and administrator colleagues to keep students in the forefront of her decision-making.
Ms. Thomas is known for enhancing the learning for all students, especially those with unique learning needs. She creates a network of support within the school and with school partners to help students reach their full potential. Parents, administrators, students, and staff all note the strong commitment Ms. Thomas displays through her “students first” approach when maximizing student learning and achievement. Moreover, once a student is with Ms. Thomas, she will follow that student’s educational career beyond the level in which she supported him/her.
Ms. Thomas exhibits high expectations where “all students and staff can learn, grow, and improve.” She engages in courageous conversations with all stakeholders to remove barriers for students and is known to provide love and care where students can see their own potential. This also applies to the staff as she is seen as a “go-to person for others seeking professional growth.” Because Ms. Thomas “regularly sees talent” in others, she has advised and mentored staff to pursue career advancements within MCPS. Due to her calm demeanor, Ms. Thomas’ colleagues often seek her wisdom and guidance to problem solve.
When it comes to the best interest of a student, no problem is too small to receive Ms. Thomas’ attention. Ms. Thomas has the uncanny ability to bring “empathy, active listening, and emotional intelligence” when she engages students, staff, and parents. She brings calm to any situation with care. Ms. Thomas knows all of her students by name and is able to positively impact any meetings concerning her students due to her in-depth knowledge of each one.
Ms. Thomas’ professional involvement within MCPS is broad and enables her to be an integral part of her school communities, past and present. During community events, Ms. Thomas is often seen talking with community partners, parents, and students to network and “bring fun” to any event. As a result of her positive leadership, Ms. Thomas has built a network of professionals, families and partners to serve the best interest of students. Moreso, her colleagues see her as a lifelong friend.
As a result of her strong belief that all students can achieve, students who receive special education services at Hallie Wells meet and exceed academic expectations and standards. Ms. Thomas motivates students and staff to see beyond a student’s potential when supporting their needs. She also galvanizes resources that help students succeed academically. Her relentless dedication to student success is the drive that feeds into the many hours she spends organizing testing, school events, and professional learning opportunities for staff. Parents, staff, and students appreciate the instructional leadership she exhibits to remove barriers for all students to reach success.
The Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision recognizes and honors Beth F. Thomas for her outstanding accomplishments and looks forward to her continued contributions to excellence in educational administration. As this year’s award recipient, Ms. Thomas will be honored at the Champions for Children event on Monday, April 24, 2023. She will also be recognized at MCAAP’s Spring Membership meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, and at the Summer Leadership Conference on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Her name will be inscribed on the perpetual Shirley Award commemorative plaque prominently displayed at the MCAAP office.
Deans of Educational Administration Award
The Deans of Educational Administration is a recognition announced annually by the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP) to honor leaders who have dedicated 30 or more years to administration in an educational setting. First begun in 2000, the Deans of Educational Administration who have been recognized are listed below.
Leroy Evans, 2020
Jeffrey Martinez, 2019
Marla Caplon, 2018
Betty Collins, 2017
Donna Hollingshead, 2017
Ikhide (Roland) Ikheloa, 2017
Kathleen Lazor, 2017
Margaret Pastor, 2017
Daniel Shea, 2017
Jack Smith, 2017
Zvi Greismann, 2016
Judith Lewis, 2016
Michael Doran, 2015
Carlos Hamlin, 2015
Patricia Kelly, 2015
Kwang ‘Sunny’ Lee, 2015
Lamar Whitmore, 2015
Larry Bowers, 2014
Linda Goldberg, 2014
Bobbi Jasper, 2014
Lynn Brown, 2012
Pearl Drain, 2012
Eileen Macfarlane, 2012
Edye Miller, 2012
Wayne Whigham, 2012
Patricia Janus, 2011
Ralph Viggiano, 2011
Jane Butler, 2010
Barbara Leister, 2010
Dick Lipsky, 2010
Cabell Lloyd, 2010
Jevoner Adams, 2009
Joan Benz, 2009
Michael Cohen, 2006
James Fernandez, 2006
Andrew Coleman, 2005
Samuel Daniel, 2005
Donald Kress, 2005
Michael Durso, 2004
David Litsey, 2004
Donald Hennessey, 2002
Charles Murkey, 2002
Rebecca Newman, 2002
Paul Scott, 2002
Jerry Weast, 2002
Joan Cisz, 2001
Betty Howard, 2001
William Monie, 2001
Barron Stroud, 2001
Pat Abrunzo, 2000
Robert Bastress, 2000
Yi Chen, 2000
George Cokinos, 2000
Lee Coldren, 2000
Barbara Contrera, 2000
William Curran, 2000
Thomas Eakin, 2000
Phillip Gainous, 2000
Donald Graham, 2000
Wilma Holmes, 2000
Brenda Lee, 2000
Jerome Marco, 2000
Alfred Rico, 2000
Richard Towers, 2000
Walter Tozier, 2000
William Wilhoyte, 2000
Edye Miller Distinguished Service Award
Monique Riddick, 2022
Genevieve Floyd, 2021
Charles (Buzz) Lee, Jr., 2020
Brandi Heckert, 2019
Joe Mamana, 2018
Nominations for the 2023 Edye Miller Distinguished Service Award will open on Monday, April 17, 2023 and close on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
The Edye Miller Distinguished Service Award is designed to recognize and express appreciation to MCAAP/MCBOA members who have effectively provided distinguished service to MCAAP over time and made exemplary contributions to the association. It is also designed to inspire other members to actively support MCAAP and the professional growth of all members.
This award was established by the MCAAP Board of Directors and funded by MCAAP’s former executive director, Edye Miller, upon her retirement in 2017. The recipient receives a cash award of $2,000 presented in June. In addition, the deserving member’s name will be engraved in a special commendation plaque displayed in the MCAAP office.
A nominee for this award shall have made an impact on the association through
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sustained and effective service (s) to the association,
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support through distinguished voluntary service over time,
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commitment to the professional growth of members and/or to the profession of educational leadership on behalf of the association,
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exemplary contributions to the mission of the association, and
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actions which inspire others to actively support the association.
Montgomery County Public School administrators and supervisors may be nominated and considered for this award if they meet the following requirements:
· Current voting member of MCAAP/MCBOA, and
· Five years of continuous and recent voting membership in MCAAP/MCBOA, and
· Not a previous recipient of the award
Full-time MCAAP/MCBOA members and staff working for the association are not
eligible for consideration of this award. Current members working full time for MCAAP are
eligible for consideration three years after the expiration of their term of office.
Any current, former, or retired MCAAP/MCBOA member may nominate a person for this award. Those full-time MCAAP/MCBOA members and staff working for the association may not nominate or write supporting letters for nominees.
The information and application is below.


Recipients:


