Frederick County Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban will receive an award from The University of Maryland this month.
Dr. Theresa “Terry” Alban was unanimously voted in as the new superintendent for Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) in April.
Alban describes her response to the unanimous vote as “absolutely excited and realizing that I had a lot to learn about the community.”
This month Alban, who received her doctorate in 2002 from the University of Maryland, will be recognized by The University of Maryland College of Education with the Award for Outstanding New Professional. Each year, the University of Maryland selects an alumni whom they dub as their most outstanding to receive this award; the award ceremony takes place on Nov. 17.
“I am not at all surprised that Terry was selected for this award. Our Board of Education made a great decision in hiring her to lead the school system. She is doing an excellent job,” Frederick County Board of Education President Brad Young stated in a press release.
In her new position as superintendent, Alban said she has a number of goals, including being more accessible to the public and finding ways to be more efficient with the budget. In addition, she wants to improve math performance among students.
“In taking a look at the data over the past couple of years, we know that math is an area we want to see improved performance. We want to take a look at getting more involved in rigorous courses,” she said.
Alban has been using a motivational tagline she calls “the three E’s.” The E’s stand for Expect Excellence Everywhere.
“You want to look at every student and set the bar high so they try and they reach,” she said. She adds that this does not just speak to students — but to teaching staff and administration, as well.
Alban also carries a particular interest in special needs students. Alban studied elementary education and special education, graduating with an undergraduate degree and summa cum laude status from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore. Afterwards, Alban’s first job was to teach students with language disabilities at Lansdowne Education Center in Baltimore County — a school that is no longer open. Before becoming superintendent, Alban worked for 30 years as an educator in Maryland school systems. And Alban says her three-E’s mantra is for special education students — and teachers, as well.
“I want all teachers to realize that special education teachers don’t have a magic wand,” she said passionately. “Good teaching and good instructional habits work for all students. … I want to have high expectations for special education students.”
Alban said that one of the most influential educators in her life is Sister Marie Xavier Looymans, her methods teacher for four years at the College of Notre Dame.
“She embodied everything a teacher should be,” Alban said. “She was the ultimate teacher.”
Alban laughed, adding, “And she was tough!”
To be the FCPS superintendent, Alban and her husband, Vernon, and their 22-year-old daughter, relocated to north Frederick after 21 years of living in Ellicott City, Md. They moved in May, and Alban said they’ve been exploring the new area.
“We’ve been just starting to appreciate all that Frederick County has to offer,” Alban said, warmly. She said they’ve been eating their way through the recommended restaurant list and this fall attended the annual Catoctin Colorfest in Thurmont. She said they are enjoying the arts in downtown Frederick. And when not in Frederick, Alban says there is another place you can see them.
“You will find us at Ravens games,” she said.
Alban and her husband have been married for 27 years. Vernon is a retired teacher, who taught math to elementary and high school students, finishing his career teaching math to special education, high-school students.
“He is probably one of the best math teachers I have ever seen,” Alban said.
The couple has two children — their daughter, who lives with them at their home in Clover Hill, works as a construction engineer at Ft. Detrick. Their 25-year-old son works as a naval architect.
When not working or exploring the area, Alban said she loves her garden and roses and spends lots of time tending to them.