Sharon Stratton
I am an AACPS: Employee, Director of Instruction
Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to be an educator. As a child, my uncle who worked at a trucking company would bring me books from damaged freight. My dad brought home a large chalkboard with wheels and set it up in our basement for me. So I used the books and the chalkboard to teach my little brother and younger cousins. As I went through school, I became fascinated with the behaviors of my teachers. I watched intently as they taught lessons and interacted with us, the students. In high school, I had great teachers who showed an interest in me and developing my interests. Specifically, teachers such as Tim McMullen in Social Studies, Donna Taylor in Latin and French, and Al Mrowka in English unknowingly inspired me to be a teacher. I attended Towson State University and major in Social Science and Secondary Education. I student taught at Brooklyn Park Jr./Sr. High School with Tim McMullen. Upon graduation from Towson, I long termed subbed at Brooklyn Park. At a time when teachers were being excessed and laid off, I was hired as a social studies teacher at St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis. I taught there for five years alongside of Dr. McMahon (currently Deputy Superintendent of Academic & Strategic Initiatives), Cindy Hudson, and Sheila Hill (Senior Manager of Academic & Strategic Initiatives). I did keep my foot in the AACPS door by teaching night and summer school. Eventually I was hired to be a social studies teacher at Crofton Junior High School. During my time at Crofton, I learned and grew as a teacher with colleagues such as Kathy Lawson, my department chair and Suzanne Fairman, English teacher. After teaching junior high for four years, I was ready to transfer to a high school. My heart was truly with the high school aged students. As a result of the merge of Andover and Brooklyn Park High School, I interviewed, was observed and hired by Principal William Wentworth. I taught at the new North County High School and eventually became the department chair of social studies. I worked closely with school administration and the school to work coordinator, Joyce Coleman. Through my work with School to Careers and the support of Joyce Coleman, I became interested in reforming high school to address the growing problem of ninth grade retention, general student apathy and an increasing dropout rate. It was this experience that lead me to the desire to become an administrator. Mr. Wentworth, Bill, encouraged me to gain certification in administration and supervision. I also had the support of Ken Lawson whose daughter I taught at Crofton Junior High School.
In 1997, I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a masters in administration and supervision. Soon after I was promoted to administrative intern at North County High School. I worked with Principal Patricia Gronkiewicz and Assistant Principal Edie Picken to develop the first ninth grade academy program. After two years at North County as an administrative intern, I transferred to Arundel High School as an Assistant Principal. There I worked with Donna Passwaters, Assistant Principal and Debbie Albert, Career Connections Facilitator (now Coordinator of Career & Technology Education) to develop the ninth grade academy. After two years at Arundel High School, I was promoted to principal. I was grateful to stay at Arundel High School as principal. Throughout my 14 years at Arundel High School, the faculty and staff along with many amazing Assistant Principals such as Angie Hopkins, Chasity Ludd, Brian Love and some of whom are now principals, Gina Davenport, Jim Todd, and Jason Williams worked to reform the high school. We launched many programs and processes that have been duplicated in other schools throughout the county, state and nation. I truly learned and grew through the work with so many passionate, supportive, driven and dedicated people.
In 2014, I was promoted to the Director of Instruction. Now I have the vision to insure an effective teacher in every classroom with administrators who can support them in meeting the needs of our diverse student population. Just as I have done throughout my career, I work in collaboration with many talented and devoted people to fulfill my vision. It is through the support of content coordinators, Michele Batten (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction) and the many others including Dr. McMahon, that I believe my vision will become a reality.
