MCPS announced on Friday, December 13th that La Faye Howard, assistant principal at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, has been honored as the 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Howard will now advance to compete for national recognition.
This prestigious award highlights the exceptional contributions of instructional leaders who enhance teaching, learning, and student success, while also cultivating an inclusive environment that supports all stakeholders. “Every day, we strive to give our best,” Howard expressed during a surprise celebration at the school on December 13. “Our goal is to be impactful, build relationships, and make a meaningful difference for every student we encounter. That’s my daily mission.”
Howard was nominated by Churchill Principal John Taylor, with her candidacy backed by colleagues, students, and parents. She celebrated the recognition with peers, family, and friends, including Superintendent Thomas Taylor and Board of Education President, along with Montgomery County Council Vice President Will Jawando and Councilmember Sidney Katz, who proclaimed December 13 as Dr. La Faye Howard Day in Montgomery County.
“It creates a virtuous cycle when you have excellent students, dedicated educators, and strong leadership in a school,” Taylor noted. “When that is enhanced by remarkable assistant principals who elevate the school’s initiatives, extraordinary outcomes follow. Spend just ten seconds at Winston Churchill High School, and you’ll see the great things happening here.”
Howard has also received praise from a parent who described her as “kind, thoughtful, intelligent, creative, a fantastic communicator, and an exceptional listener.” The parent highlighted her ability to effectively address important issues, even when challenges arise. Taylor emphasized Howard’s role in promoting a positive school culture and reducing incidents of hate and bias, stating, “Dr. Howard leads our No Place for Hate student group, which has over 120 members who actively plan and carry out lessons and activities aimed at fostering acceptance and safety for all students while tackling bullying and hate bias in real time.”
Her active involvement in the school community is valued by her students. “Dr. Howard has been crucial in ensuring that students at Winston Churchill High School feel supported and safe,” one student remarked. “She is consistently present and engaged, making it easy for any student to approach her for help or just to chat.”
The NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle and high school assistant principals who excel in delivering high-quality instruction and creating learning opportunities that positively impact all students. These leaders are celebrated by their peers and school communities for their exemplary contributions, particularly in areas such as curriculum, instruction, assessment, and fostering professional growth that prioritizes wellness, equity, student-centeredness, results orientation, and collaborative leadership.