Dr. Joshua Michael, Dr. Monica Goldson Elected to Lead State Board of Education
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Dr. Joshua Michael, Dr. Monica Goldson Elected to Lead State Board of Education
Dr. Michael will serve his first term as State Board President with Dr. Goldson as Vice President; Clarence Crawford named President Emeritus.
BALTIMORE, MD (July 23, 2024) – Today, the Maryland State Board of Education voted unanimously to elect Dr. Joshua Michael as President and Dr. Monica Goldson as Vice President for the 2024-2025 term.
Dr. Michael was appointed to the State Board by Gov. Wes Moore in April 2023. As President, he brings experience as an educator, public school parent, and policy expert to his service. Dr. Michael currently serves as Executive Director of the nonprofit Sherman Family Foundation, which provides grants to non-profit organizations for young people in Baltimore, focusing on early childhood and K-12 education. Dr. Goldson, also appointed by Gov. Moore, began her service on the State Board in July 2023. She is the retired Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), the state’s second-largest school system.
“Over the past year, this board has deliberately elevated the consequential work of educating children in Maryland. We have emphasized values of transparency, accountability and partnership — all in service of improving outcomes for all children,” said Dr. Michael. “As State Board President, I will strive to continue that work and guide us in taking it to the next level.”
“Together, we can create an educational system that prepares our students for success in an ever-changing world,” said Dr. Goldson. “I have seen firsthand the impact that dedicated educators and robust policies can have on students’ lives. It is this understanding that fuels my desire to ensure that every student in our state has access to a high-quality education.”
During Tuesday’s State Board meeting, Clarence Crawford was named President Emeritus by his Board colleagues in appreciation for his immense service as State Board President for four years. Crawford led the State Board through several consequential moments, including the COVID-19 pandemic, initial implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, and transition of state superintendents.
“I am excited to begin a new journey of collaborative leadership with Dr. Michael and Dr. Goldson in service to Maryland students. Our shared commitment to elevating public education will continue to guide our work, anchored by the transformative opportunity of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “I also want to express my appreciation to Clarence Crawford for his strong vision and dedication during his leadership term and the entire State Board for its partnership.”
Dr. Michael began his career as a middle school math teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools. Previously, he served as the Director of Baltimore School Partnerships at UMBC. He also served as Student Member of the State Board during the 2005-2006 school year.
Dr. Michael received his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in Public Policy from UMBC and his master’s degree in School Leadership from Johns Hopkins University. He currently resides in Baltimore City with his wife, Leslie, and their three children.
A PGCPS graduate, Dr. Goldson began her career as a high school mathematics teacher. Prior to serving as CEO, Dr. Goldson was Associate Superintendent for High Schools, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, and Chief Operating Officer. During her tenure, Dr. Goldson leveraged a full-scope alternative financing model to design, build, finance and maintain the internationally recognized Blueprint Schools construction program to build six new middle schools in two years— the very first U.S. public school system to use a public-private partnership (P3) for construction.
Additionally, under her leadership, the 2023 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) results showed significant progress in PGCPS to reverse the impacts of pandemic-related learning interruptions.
Dr. Goldson holds degrees from three historically Black universities: a bachelor’s in Mathematics from Florida A&M University, master’s in Elementary and Secondary School Administration from Bowie State University, and doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy from Howard University. She also serves on President Biden’s HBCU Advisory Panel. Her two adult sons are both graduates of PGCPS.
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