Steven Showalter Awarded 2013 Distinguished Principal of the Year
Principal of St. Mary of the Assumption School in Upper Marlboro
May 17, 2013
Steven M. Showalter, principal of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School in Upper Marlboro, has been named the Archdiocese of Washington’s Distinguished Principal of the Year for his 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.
Mr. Showalter was surprised with the announcement of this award by his students, staff and members of the Archdiocese of Washington’s Catholic Schools Office.
Deacon Bert L’Homme, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Washington, said “Steve Showalter is the best of the best among Catholic school principals in the Archdiocese of Washington. He exemplifies what it means to be an inspired spiritual leader as well as an exemplary instructional leader. During his tenure, students at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School have thrived academically and have grown in their faith. It is truly an honor to recognize Steve Showalter as the 2013 Archdiocese of Washington Distinguished Principal of the Year.”
Mr. Showalter has been the principal of St. Mary Assumption Catholic School since 2006. He also serves as the school’s sixth and eighth grade religion teacher. He was the school’s assistant principal from 2000-2006. He taught Religion, Latin and Computer at St. Mary’s from 1995-2000. Previous to coming to St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic School he taught sixth grade at Mount Calvary Catholic School in Forestville. Before his career in Catholic Education, Mr. Showalter served as captain in the United States Air Force. Mr. Showalter holds two master’s degrees from Loyola University in Religious Education and Education and Supervision. Mr. Showalter also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Wheeling Jesuit University. Mr. Showalter is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Catholic Leadership at The Catholic University of America.
“Mr. Showalter is such a respected leader within his school community and amongst his principal peers in the Archdiocese of Washington. We have such admiration for him as a leader,” said Kelly Branaman, Associate Superintendent for Schools for the Archdiocese of Washington. “It was a privilege to recognize him for his excellence in Catholic school leadership and celebrate the many accomplishments of Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic School with the broader community. While we celebrate Mr. Showalter locally with this award, he will now represent the Archdiocese of Washington nationally by submitting an application to the National Catholic Educational Association Distinguished Principal Award which is awarded annually in the fall. We know Mr. Showalter will be an excellent representative of the Archdiocese of Washington as he is considered for this national honor”
Under Mr. Showalter’s leadership, St. Mary of Assumption Catholic School has excelled academically and has held true to their Catholic identity. He is often referred to as a “visible” principal who greets the students at the door every morning rain or shine and bids them goodbye by name at the day’s end. Mr. Showalter is also known for leading by example by setting high expectations for students, faculty and himself. Mr. Showalter has not only dedicated himself to the St. Mary of Assumption Catholic School community but he is devoted to his parish serving as Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also serves as a mentor to new principals in the Archdiocese. Mr. Showalter and his wife Karen, are the parents of five children.
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The Archdiocese of Washington has 97 early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools. The teaching staff is made up of over 3,000 and the total student enrollment is nearly 27,000. Schools in the archdiocese have been awarded the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon of Excellence 31 times. The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 620,000 Catholics and 139 parishes located in Washington, DC and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.
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