The incoming principal of Westbrook Elementary School in Bethesda got a warm welcome Monday, along with seven other appointees to new roles in Montgomery County Public Schools.
Board of Education President Michael Durso grew emotional as he congratulated Karen Cox, who has been working as principal intern at Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School in Silver Spring, to her new post at the helm of Westbrook Elementary.
“You were always one of Wayne Whigam’s favorites. So we are proud of you,” Durso said, his voice cracking.
Whigam was a longtime MCPS employee who was known as a mentor to many, including Cox, Durso explained in a phone interview. The former Seneca Valley High School principal died in 2013.
Cox has worked for 18 years with MCPS and “looks forward to continuing the commitment to excellence and high academic achievement” at Westbrook Elementary, Superintendent Jack Smith said Monday.
The other appointments approved during the meeting were:
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Norman Coleman, currently principal of Cannon Road Elementary School in Silver Spring, as principal of Francis Scott Key Middle School in Silver Spring;
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Craig Jackson, currently principal intern at Cannon Road Elementary, as principal of Woodlin Elementary School in Silver Spring;
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MaryBeth Mantzouranis, currently principal intern at Watkins Mill Elementary School in Montgomery Village, as principal of Weller Road Elementary School in Silver Spring;
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Shawn Krasa, currently assistant principal at Briggs Chaney Middle School in Silver Spring, as principal of Thomas Edison High School of Technology in Silver Spring;
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Alana Murray, currently principal intern at Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville, as principal of Shady Grove Middle School in Gaithersburg;
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Casey Crouse, currently principal of Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring, as principal of Damascus High School; and
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Kevin Lowndes, currently MCPS director of school support and improvement of high schools, as associate superintendent of the office of special education.
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Left to right: Norman Coleman, Craig Jackson and MaryBeth Mantzouranis were all appointed as principals of Silver Spring schools Monday. Slides via MCPS.
Durso praised MCPS staff for pushing to get vacant principal positions filled earlier than in past years. Finding time to conduct the selection process is difficult during the busy weeks at the end of the school year, but Durso said it’s important to give appointees time to get adjusted to their new roles this fall.
“Because so much happens before school opens, to bring a principal in in late July or August really presents some challenges,” Durso said.
