Former Superintendent for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Dr. Monifa McKnight has been named to a position with the University of Maryland College of Education.
She will be the inaugural Dean’s Fellow and Superintendent in Residence starting Aug. 23, according to the College of Education.
“I am deeply honored to return to my alma mater, the University of Maryland, as the inaugural Dean’s Fellow and Superintendent in Residence,” McKnight said in a written statement from the college. “This unique opportunity allows me to contribute to the development of future educational leaders and to collaborate with esteemed colleagues in shaping innovative educational practices. I look forward to bringing my experiences and insights to the university and working together to make a lasting impact on education.”
According to the college, McKnight will support development and implementation of projects that align with the college’s strategic plan, grow student engagement in academic programs, and build partnerships from PK-20 to support learning and school transformation.
She will “help strengthen the college’s relationships with school partners and state leaders, generate creative ideas and strategies to expand their educator pathway program and collaborate on existing partnerships that drive school improvement and reform,” states the release from the college.
McKnight departed from MCPS in February after she had said school board officers wanted her to step away and that she was provided with no justification. She will get $1.3 million in a separation agreement.
MCPS had come under the scrutiny of investigations surrounding former principal Joel Beidleman who was promoted despite numerous sexual harassment complaints against him. Reports came out investigating the promotion and how the school system handles employee misconduct complaints.
Dr. Monique Felder served as MCPS interim superintendent before Dr. Thomas Taylor was recently appointed superintendent.
Citing accomplishments throughout her career, the college stated that McKnight “led various strategic initiatives, including establishing a principal pipeline for MCPS, overseeing the school improvement process for Howard County Public Schools; focusing on teacher professional development, and enhancing student achievement and school climate in individual schools in Maryland and Virginia.”
“She led the complex transition to hybrid and full-time in-person learning and implemented operational structures and instructional strategies designed to meet students’ needs post-pandemic.”
