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
NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THE 2022 AWARD.
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).
Mrs. Rachel DuBois, Principal, Bayard Rustin Elementary School , Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the 2021 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 systemwide leadership, human resources development, resource management, interpersonal skills, professional involvement, and community and stakeholder involvement.
For nearly 20 years Mrs. DuBois has devoted her life to educating students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). She began her career as an elementary classroom teacher and she served as a GT Coordinator. Mrs. Dubois started her path to leadership as a staff development teacher before becoming an administrator in 2010. In the Fall of 2018, after serving two years as an Assistant Principal and two years as an Acting Principal, she was appointed as the Principal of Bayard Rustin Elementary School, a brand-new school that she helped build from the ground up.
Mrs. DuBois is known by colleagues, parents, and community leaders as a role model for inclusivity. She has worked with the staff to create and implement a vision for Bayard Rustin Elementary, which honors a gay civil rights leader as its namesake. She constantly asks ‘what is best for our students’ and works hard to ensure every student, staff member and family feels a sense of belonging. She believes in the importance of a school environment where diversity is valued and viewed a strength. A community leader described her as a ‘bright light in the community’ and a strong administrator, from academics to compassionate leadership to fostering the best in others.
Mrs. Dubois values shared leadership, does everything with purpose and trusts people to make decisions. Her colleagues articulated that she is deeply connected to the school community and that she understands the needs of the stakeholders she serves. School community members hail her unmatched work ethic and commitment to provide for their needs.
Staff describe Mrs. DuBois as having a spirit that is infectious. She encourages staff to have fun together and says that all employees play a critical role in healthy school culture. Mrs. DuBois is often heard saying that ‘the work we do is important, but at the end of the day, it’s the relationships and the people that matter.’ She takes the time to lead with a listening ear and is always there to support a staff member in crisis or to celebrate an exciting breakthrough. She encourages staff to lead with hearts and minds, and creates a positive culture with staff, seeing themselves as a family. She is an invested leader who stresses that everybody matters.
Many stories shared by students demonstrate her dedication to fostering academic achievement, to assist with problem solving and her unwavering ability to provide nurturing guidance to them as they learn and grow. A colleague shared that Mrs. Dubois has the extraordinary ability to intrinsically motivate students and has built relationships that reflect the philosophy that every student needs a champion in their lives. Mrs. DuBois is a champion for children, and she demonstrates this through instructional leadership that ensures that staff have the resources and professional development they need to continue to serve students well.
The school community recognizes that she is an advocate and a partner for them. Mrs. DuBois is described by parents as a role model who is courageous, humble, honest, inclusive, and an outstanding leader who always has a smile on her face.
The Shirley Award recognizes and honors Rachel DuBois for her outstanding accomplishments and looks forward to her continued contributions to excellence in educational administration. As this year’s Shirley Award winner, Mrs. DuBois will be honored by MCAAP/MCBOA and recognized at the spring membership in May. Her name will be inscribed on the perpetual Shirley Award commemorative plaque prominently displayed at the MCAAP office.
Past Award Winners:
2020-21
Scott Murphy
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 Collins
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

2021 Recipient of the Dr. Edward Shirley Award
Rachel DuBois
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

Genevieve Floyd, 2021
Charles (Buzz) Lee, Jr., 2020
Brandi Heckert, 2019
Joe Mamana, 2018
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.
Nominations will open in April 2022 for the next year's award.


Recipients:
