Maria Bovich Awarded 2016 Distinguished Principal of the Year
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Maria Bovich, principal of Holy Redeemer School in College Park, Md., has been named the Archdiocese of Washington’s Distinguished Principal of the Year for her superior spiritual leadership and strong commitment to academic excellence.
The annual award is presented to a principal who demonstrates accomplishment in six categories: balancing management and leadership roles, setting high expectations and standards, stressing content and instruction that ensures student achievement, creating a culture of professional development for teachers, using multiple tools to apply and assess instructional improvements and actively engaging the school community.
“Joyful is the word that best describes Principal Bovich. When I visit Holy Redeemer School her joy is everywhere. Her love for the children is in every classroom. Her supportive smile is on the face of every teacher. It is clear that Maria loves what she does and everyone gets to shine in her light,” said Wendy Anderson, Associate Superintendent for Academics and Leadership
Mrs. Bovich was surprised with the announcement of this award by her students, staff and members of the Archdiocese of Washington’s Catholic Schools Office. Under her leadership, Holy Redeemer School had two Golden Apple teachers in 2010 and 2016, and the school has seen growth both in size of the school building and in enrollment numbers.
“Mrs. Bovich demonstrates exceptional leadership as principal of Holy Redeemer School. Under her leadership the school has grown in its Catholic identity and academic excellence,” said Kelly Branaman, Associate Superintendent for Strategic Planning and School Operations of the Archdiocese of Washington. “Mrs. Bovich has worked diligently to bring her faculty and parent community together working toward a mission of school improvement. She shares her commitment to Catholic education not only with the Holy Redeemer but the entire Archdiocese of Washington community.”
“She is just really, really nice and she always visits in the classroom. She is always smiling and she gives out lots of dress down days. She is also always proud of us when we get good grades and she is even proud of us when we just try hard,” said Holy Redeemer Students, Samuel and Lucas Brewer.
Maria Bovich has been principal of Holy Redeemer School for the past eight years. She earned her master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has been an educator for over three decades with her most recent tenure at St. Pius X School in Bowie, Md. where she served as vice principal. Mrs. Bovich is a certified special education teacher and holds state certification in elementary education and educational administration, with a state Principal Licensure. Mrs. Bovich is married to Michael Bovich and together they have three children and four grandchildren. She brings to Holy Redeemer her belief and motto of “Excellence in Education with the Power of Faith.”
“Maria Bovich is magnificent example of servant leadership. She strives to provide every student with a high quality education infused with Gospel values. Mrs. Bovich lives her Catholic faith everyday by serving the teachers, parents and most especially the students at Holy Redeemer School,” said William Ryan, Superintendent for Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Washington.
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The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 620,000 Catholics, 139 parishes and 95 Catholic schools, located in Washington, D.C., and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.
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