Lillian Lowery
Lillian M. Lowery served as the Maryland Superintendent of Schools from July 1, 2012 until her resignation on September 11, 2015.[1]
Lowery holds the unusual distinction of having served as superintendent of public schools for two different states. Before moving to Maryland, Lowery she was appointed Delaware Secretary of Education in January 2009 by Governor Jack Markell (D).[2] Deputy Superintendent of Schools Jack R. Smith took over as interim superintendent and will remain in that post until the school board appoints a permanent successor.[3]
Biography
Lowery has worked in the education field since 1976. Beginning her career as an English teacher in Virginia, Lowery went on to serve three years as Superintendent of the Christina School District in New Castle County, Delaware. She also served as an Assistant Superintendent in Fairfax County, Virginia, and an Area Superintendent in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was named Delaware Secretary of Education in 2009 and served in the role until she was appointed as Maryland Superintendent of Schools in 2012.[4] She announced that she would resign from her post as Maryland's superintendent of schools effective September 11, 2015, to become the CEO of FutureReady Columbus, an education-based firm in Columbus, Ohio.[3]
Education
- B.A., North Carolina Central University (1976)
- M.A., Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1978)
- Ed.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2004)[4]
Political career
Maryland Superintendent of Schools (2012-2015)
Lowery left her position in Delaware after being appointed Maryland Superintendent of Schools by the Maryland school board in April 2012. She began her tenure in Maryland on July 1, 2012.[5] During her tenure, she oversaw the implementation of new standardized tests and teacher evaluations, which drew some criticisms by Maryland teacher's unions.[3]
On August 28, 2015, Lowery announced that she had accepted a job offer in the Ohio private sector and would resign, effective September 11, 2015. Upon hearing of Lowery's resignation, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said that she was a "dedicated public servant to the state of Maryland, [that] has devoted her career to bettering public education and working to ensure our teachers and students have the tools they need for success."[3]
Policy Leader of the Year
In 2015, Lowery was named the "Policy Leader of the Year" by the National Association of State Boards of Education in recognition of her contributions to education.[6]
Delaware Secretary of Education (2009-2012)
Lowery was appointed Delaware Secretary of Education in 2009 by newly-elected Gov. Jack Markell. Under her leadership, the state of Delaware became one of the first two states to win a federal Race to the Top grant of $100 million.[7]
Upon her resignation from the Delaware post, Markell said, "Secretary Lowery deserves our thanks for her years of service at the district and state levels to make our public schools stronger. She’s helped bring people together and helped move our state forward, always remembering that kids’ needs come first. Strong schools are a critical foundation for a strong economy, and she committed herself fully to making sure Delaware’s children will graduate better able to succeed."[8]
Appointments
2012
Lowery was appointed as Maryland Superintendent of Schools by the state school board in April 2012 and was sworn in on July 1, 2012.[5]
2009
Lowery was appointed as Delaware Secretary of Education by Gov. Jack Markell (D) in 2009.[2]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Lillian + Lowery + Maryland + Education"
See also
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Baltimore Sun, "Governor welcomes new state schools chief," April 24, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dover Post, "Lillian Lowery to step down as Delaware secretary of education," April 20, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Baltimore Sun, "Maryland schools Superintendent Lowery resigns for new job," accessed Aug. 30, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Maryland Department of Education, "Superintendent's Biography," accessed October 5, 2012
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Baltimore Sun, "Lillian Lowery named Maryland state superintendent of schools," April 20, 2012
- ↑ Baltimore Sun, "State superintendent named policy leader of the year," accessed Aug. 30, 2015
- ↑ CNN, "Tennessee, Delaware schools to get Race to the Top funds," accessed Aug. 30, 2015
- ↑ Dover Post, "Lillian Lowery to step down as Delaware secretary of education," accessed Aug. 30, 2015
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bernard Sadusky |
Maryland Superintendent of Schools July 1, 2012 – September 11, 2015 |
Succeeded by Jack R. Smith |
| Preceded by ' |
Delaware Secretary of Education January 2009 - June 2012 |
Succeeded by Mark Murphy |
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