Dr. Cathy J. Townsend will serve as the new Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services for Wicomico County Public Schools.
The Wicomico County Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Townsend when it met on Tuesday, May 3. Her appointment is effective July 1. She will join Dr. Margo Handy, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Student Services, on the leadership team of Dr. John E. Fredericksen, Superintendent of Schools.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Wicomico County Public Schools as Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services,” said Townsend, currently the Supervisor of Safe Schools. “I will strive to use my varied work experiences, educational experiences, and my knowledge of and passion for our community to assist in helping our students meet with success in all areas of their lives."
Board members praised Townsend’s experience in both public education and industry, and highlighted the lifelong learning that has prepared her for leadership and earned her a doctoral degree earlier this year. They praised her ability to develop rapport with students, families, staff members and the community, and to show leadership, good character and strong decision-making skills.
“I’m really excited for you, and I’m happy for our school system” to have you becoming Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, Board President L. Michelle Wright said.
After graduating from Wicomico Senior High School in 1973, Townsend received bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Psychology from Salisbury State University. She later received a Masters of Education with an administration concentration from SU, and recently earned a doctoral degree in Innovation and Leadership from Wilmington University.
She began her education career as a math teacher in Worcester County Public Schools (1979-81) and joined Wicomico Schools as a math teacher at Wicomico Senior High School (1983-85). She then worked as a regulatory analyst for Downes Associates Engineering Consultants in Salisbury (1985-92). Townsend returned to the classroom to teach grade 5 math in the North Salisbury Elementary Magnet Program (1992-97).
Her career in education administration began with her appointment to serve as assistant principal of Pittsville Elementary and Middle School (1997-99) and then as the assistant principal and then principal of Salisbury Middle School (1999-2006). She then took her expertise to the Delmar (Del.) school district, serving as principal of Delmar Middle and High School and Director of Special Education (2006-09). Wicomico Schools welcomed Townsend back as School Climate Coordinator (2009-10). She was named Supervisor of Safe Schools for 2010-11.
Townsend holds many professional memberships and has won numerous awards, including Maryland Middle School Principal of the Year in 2004. She has supervised a number of important initiatives for the school system, such as centralized enrollment, school climate survey, character education, Connections alternative program, gang policy development, Dress Code revision, school climate and safety initiatives, dropout prevention and more.
The Wicomico County Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Townsend when it met on Tuesday, May 3. Her appointment is effective July 1. She will join Dr. Margo Handy, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Student Services, on the leadership team of Dr. John E. Fredericksen, Superintendent of Schools.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Wicomico County Public Schools as Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services,” said Townsend, currently the Supervisor of Safe Schools. “I will strive to use my varied work experiences, educational experiences, and my knowledge of and passion for our community to assist in helping our students meet with success in all areas of their lives."
Board members praised Townsend’s experience in both public education and industry, and highlighted the lifelong learning that has prepared her for leadership and earned her a doctoral degree earlier this year. They praised her ability to develop rapport with students, families, staff members and the community, and to show leadership, good character and strong decision-making skills.
“I’m really excited for you, and I’m happy for our school system” to have you becoming Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, Board President L. Michelle Wright said.
After graduating from Wicomico Senior High School in 1973, Townsend received bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Psychology from Salisbury State University. She later received a Masters of Education with an administration concentration from SU, and recently earned a doctoral degree in Innovation and Leadership from Wilmington University.
She began her education career as a math teacher in Worcester County Public Schools (1979-81) and joined Wicomico Schools as a math teacher at Wicomico Senior High School (1983-85). She then worked as a regulatory analyst for Downes Associates Engineering Consultants in Salisbury (1985-92). Townsend returned to the classroom to teach grade 5 math in the North Salisbury Elementary Magnet Program (1992-97).
Her career in education administration began with her appointment to serve as assistant principal of Pittsville Elementary and Middle School (1997-99) and then as the assistant principal and then principal of Salisbury Middle School (1999-2006). She then took her expertise to the Delmar (Del.) school district, serving as principal of Delmar Middle and High School and Director of Special Education (2006-09). Wicomico Schools welcomed Townsend back as School Climate Coordinator (2009-10). She was named Supervisor of Safe Schools for 2010-11.
Townsend holds many professional memberships and has won numerous awards, including Maryland Middle School Principal of the Year in 2004. She has supervised a number of important initiatives for the school system, such as centralized enrollment, school climate survey, character education, Connections alternative program, gang policy development, Dress Code revision, school climate and safety initiatives, dropout prevention and more.
Editors Notes: It is my hope Cathy is Fredericksen's replacement in two years. From everything I have learned about Mrs. Townsend she is top shelf and a great asset to the WBOE.
You may very well be looking at Wicomico County's salvation. She is the right person to save this school district.
ReplyDeleteNot bad to look at either...
ReplyDeleteMove over Margo Handy Ur time is coming to and end.
ReplyDeleteMs. Townsend was my fifth grade math teacher at North Salisbury...I actually don't recall the majority of my teachers through out the years but she is one I never forgot. She was an excellent teacher and role model and I'm glad to see how much she has acheived. Congratulations and I wish you well.
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:06,
ReplyDeleteMrs. Townsend was also my 5th grade teacher at North Salisbury and I agree with you 100%!! The majority of my teachers do not stand out in the memories of my education, but she was certainly one of them! The ones that stood out all had one thing in common: they cared about their students and loved the institution of passing on knowledge. Wicomico County schools will be in a better situation with her leadership!
I wish she could replace Freddy today!
ReplyDeletewe gotta wait 2 years to get rid of Fredericksen?
ReplyDeleteKathy is a wonderful person and dedicated to children. She will bring a much needed fresh of breath air to the leadership of our schools. Your dad would have continued to be proud of you as he always was with his girls and thier families.
ReplyDeleteWow, another board person, this will help our taxes.
ReplyDelete