Fourteen school principals from four Maryland school districts recently united for the first time at Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures. The gathering served as a welcome to an esteemed professional development program for outstanding leaders in education: The Arts for Learning Principal Fellowship. Introductions revealed not only a variety of backgrounds but a wealth of experiences at the table–both as students themselves and now as educators–as the principals shared their driving forces for creating the schools they dream of for their own students. Before long, it became apparent: this is not your typical professional development course.

Listening: The Greatest Form of Kindness
Surrounded by art and artifacts from across the African continent, principals, led by Deputy Chief of Education Kristina Berdan, thought about what it means to truly listen. They practiced this skill as they paired off in twos, sharing and discovering stories about their paths to leadership, schools, and how they envision the arts will strengthen their communities. After the pairs got to know each other, they paused to break bread, then surprised one Baltimore City Public School principal–Sedrick Smith of Fallstaff Elementary/Middle–with a birthday celebration, complete with cupcakes and party hats.

All smiles after a wonderful break, principals were tasked with a creative challenge to create custom movie posters announcing their principal partners! Immediately, the principals began leafing through magazines, looking for just the right letters, images, and graphics to snip. They carefully selected colored pencils, watercolors, and markers from a treasure trove of art supplies and materials, then began sketching their ideas. Light pencil marks made way for bold, decisive lines as their ideas came to life. Their laughter and nervousness energized each other after hearing, “Only 10 minutes left, friends!” and then, “Five more minutes!” It was obvious that each principal wanted to create the best poster for their partner, and that this was not just a race against the clock. It was making sure to represent what they learned about their partners through listening.

Purposeful Connection and Care
The exchange of movie posters between principals was a delight and it made principals feel seen and heard. The warmness and belonging felt in our Sankofa Children’s Museum classroom was exactly the type of environment we want to help build for all Maryland students–and for our teachers and principals. And we know that this is the type of care and creativity that will show up again and again for this community because each gathering is purposeful in growing connection. In these spaces, we pour into each other and build each other up. A 2022 principal fellow said, “This program has encouraged, enlightened, and prepared me to integrate the arts, and felt like therapy I needed. I pushed myself to attend sessions and at the end of each session, I left in a better state than I came.”

As did the cohorts before them, the 2024-25 principal fellows will grow together–supporting one another in wellness, equitable leadership, and community-building while uncovering a wealth of arts resources for their students and schools. We are excited and proud to be on this learning journey with so many passionate and nurturing educators.

Please join us in welcoming the 2024 cohort of the Arts for Learning Principal Fellowship:

Baltimore City:
Amanda Patricia Rice, Hazelwood Elementary/Middle
Brigette Cottman, City Neighbors Charter School
Karen Walker, Callaway Elementary
Monica McClain, Park Heights Academy
Rashida Ford, Booker T. Washington Middle School for the Arts
Sedrick Smith, Fallstaff Elementary/Middle
Tracey Pratt, Sandtown-Winchester Achievement Academy

Montgomery County:
Anita O’Neill, Clarksburg High School
Sofia Grant-Dewitt, Gaithersburg Middle School

Prince George’s County:
Cheryl Franklin, Robert R. Gray Elementary
James A. Spence II, Dora Kennedy French Immersion

Baltimore County:
Scott Rodriguez-Hobbs, Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts

Learn more about the Arts for Learning Principal Fellowship on our website at artsforlearningmd.org/principal-fellowship.