Benjamin Stoddert Middle School's Assistant Principal, Marquelle Peavy, has been honored as the 2024 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Assistant Principal of the Year. Recognized for her unwavering dedication to students, Peavy collaborates closely with teachers, staff, and parents to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment.
"Ms. Peavy is a caring, genuinely nice woman and very helpful," said Jahir Jamieson, an eighth-grade student. "The reason I say that she is caring is because she did not have to help me when I got in trouble, but she chose to because she saw something in me that nobody else did."
Starting July 1, Peavy will step into the role of acting principal at Stoddert, following the appointment of current Principal Erica Williams as the new CCPS executive director of schools.
Peavy's commitment to student well-being and academic achievement is widely recognized among her colleagues. Montello Washington III, a math teacher at Stoddert, praised her efforts to cultivate a supportive school culture. "[She] embodies the qualities of an outstanding educational leader," he said. "Her passion, dedication, and collaborative spirit make her a true asset to Benjamin Stoddert."
Peavy's career with CCPS began in 2009 as a seventh-grade language arts teacher at Mattawoman Middle School. She then transitioned to St. Charles High School, where she taught freshman English and literacy and served as the ninth-grade team leader from 2014 to 2018. After a year as an administrative intern at St. Charles, Peavy was appointed assistant principal at Stoddert in 2019. In her current role, she serves as the instructional AP and acts as the principal's designee in Principal Williams' absence.
As coordinator of Stoddert's Teacher Support Academy (TSA), Peavy has spent the past five years supporting a diverse staff with varying strengths. She regularly visits classrooms, builds relationships, models instruction, and helps staff develop and enhance their skills to benefit student learning.
"One of the things I respect most about Ms. Peavy is her desire to make sure that we provide quality instruction to all our students," said Casey Cleary, a Stoddert math teacher and AVID coordinator. "She is always willing to provide constructive feedback or sit in on a lesson and provide support. While we come from different subject backgrounds, for any observation she has completed of my teaching, she has been able to provide me with relevant and useful ideas for bettering the instruction in my classroom."
Peavy's support has been particularly crucial for new teachers, helping them navigate the challenges of the profession. "Her encouragement and presence during challenging times have been a source of strength for me," said India Larry, a Stoddert math teacher. "Without her, I might not have discovered and solidified my passion; my path in life would have remained uncertain."
Peavy's willingness to assist colleagues is another testament to her dedication. "I have never seen her turn down a request for assistance," said Angela Papandrea, a learning resource teacher at Stoddert. "She is always willing to provide support and be a role model of exemplary instruction. Ms. Peavy is dedicated to ensuring teachers provide the quality education our students deserve."
Parents also appreciate Peavy's kind and stable presence. "She partnered with parents so that they trusted her interventions and valued her insight," Williams said. "I often told her that parents may walk into her office ready to fuss, but they left giving her a hug."
Tamika Goldring-Adams, mother of Stoddert eighth grader Rashard Adams, emphasized Peavy's ability to connect with students. "Mrs. Peavy has a way to get through to the children," Goldring-Adams said. "She listens and I believe she is fair. My son Rashard respects her and looks up to her. I personally cannot thank her enough for all the encouraging words, tough love, and overall guidance and support toward my son."
Students also hold Peavy in high regard. "She is a person I can trust," said Rashard Adams. "She always wants the best for me." Carlia Watson, another eighth-grade student, shared similar sentiments, recounting how Peavy helped her make better decisions. "She showed me that my future was worth more than that. She stuck with me and made sure I got the second chance that I deserved."
Peavy's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the positive culture at Stoddert. "She has created a supportive environment where students feel valued, respected, and motivated to succeed," said Charles McCoy, Stoddert's computer teacher. "Her emphasis on equity and diversity has ensured that all students have access to opportunities for growth and achievement regardless of their background or circumstance."
Colleagues agree that Peavy's strong leadership has fostered a sense of unity, pride, and collective purpose among the school community. "We are truly a better middle school because of her efforts," Williams said.
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