Glenwood MS Principal Named Maryland’s First Middle School National Distinguished Principal

April 9th, 2024

Glenwood Middle School Principal Melissa Shindel has been named Maryland’s National Distinguished Principal at the middle school level by the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP). Shindel is the first middle school principal in Maryland to win this award, which has historically only been given to elementary school principals.

Shindel was recognized for her outstanding leadership, commitment to excellence, stakeholder engagement, and efforts to advocate for the personal and professional well-being of her staff, as noted on the MAESP website.

Over the fifteen years she has been a principal in Howard County schools, Shindel has “consistently demonstrated the ability to create positive and inclusive school environments that foster both academic excellence and personal growth among students and staff alike,” says Phelps Luck Elementary School principal Edward Cosentino, who serves as Zone 3 Director for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and one of Howard County’s MAESP representatives. “Her forward-thinking approach to education, coupled with her genuine care, has led to the implementation of innovative programs and initiatives that have significantly enhanced the overall educational experience for her students.”

The National Distinguished Principal award is presented each year as a collaborative effort between the NAESP and the MAESP. National Distinguished Principal public school honorees are nominated by peers in their state, and final selections are made by committees appointed by each of the NAESP state affiliate offices.