Anne Arundel schools chief equity officer among 2024 Michelle Obama Award recipients
Maisha Gillins, chief equity officer for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, is one of the 2024 Michelle Obama Award recipients, the school district announced Monday.
Each year, during Woman’s History Month, in partnership with the Caucus of African American Leaders, the award is designed to honor local leaders that exemplify the former first lady’s commitment to advocacy to create better communities.
“The award seeks to showcase women who have made significant contributions to the county in government, business, labor, civic, and academic,” said Carl Snowden, convener of the Caucus of African American Leaders.
Gillins, who has led the county’s equity efforts since 2017, was chosen for her work to create and enhance equitable school cultures that are crucial to eliminating opportunity and achievement gaps.
“I am honored and I humbly accept this award on behalf of the thousands of colleagues who work tirelessly to see that the AACPS Educational Equity Policy’s purpose, which is to ensure that our school system has the procedures and best practices in place to provide for educational equity and eliminate obstacles to accessing educational opportunities for all students, is implemented each and every day,” Gillins said in a news release from the county.
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Other recipients this year are Janet Owens, the first woman elected as Anne Arundel county executive and Ellen Moyer, the first woman elected mayor of Annapolis.
Gillins has been in education since 1995 serving as a middle school math teacher and assistant principal at Severna Park High School. She was Title I coordinator, mathematics coordinator and director of school performance.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education at Virginia State University, a master’s degree in administrative leadership at Bowie State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership for changing populations at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Along with her role as chief equity officer, Gillins is an adjunct professor for Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she has taught a master’s level course that focuses on emotional intelligence, brain-based research, culturally responsive instruction, and critical race theory for the past 12 years.
Gillins will be one of 14 women recognized for their efforts in Anne Arundel County and beyond.
The awards ceremony will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at Maryland Hall.
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