Somerset Co. Public Schools’ new superintendent brings experience, fresh ideas to the district

SOMERSET COUNTY, Md. – Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS) students will see a new face in the halls this academic year.

Positive Start

Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell says she’s excited to get to work as the district’s new superintendent. On opening days for teachers, the newly minted leader visited each of the district’s schools, where she met with staff and reported positive feedback.

“We had a great opening day. The teachers were so excited and pumped up. We had a wonderful student speaker who was very wise,” Dr. Tasker-Mitchell said. “I like to be in the schools and I like to engage with my students, first and foremost, and our teachers and staff, and my team.

Bringing Experience and Ideas

Somerset County is far from Dr. Tasker-Mitchell’s first notch of education experience. She previously served in Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, and Talbot Counties, as well as in Baltimore City.

“The students here are lovely,” Dr. Tasker-Mitchell said. “They want to do a good job and they want to learn. And then, we have parents that want to be engaged.”

Given that experience, Dr. Tasker-Mitchell says she wants to ensure that Somerset County’s students have the same opportunities as those over the Bay Bridge. Particularly, she wants to bolster access to a wider array of courses and wraparound services.

Three core components of that work will be the ideas of service, building, and belonging says Dr. Tasker-Mitchell.

“It’s important that we serve our students, our families, and our community. We need to build each other up, and make sure our students feel like they belong,” Dr. Tasker-Mitchell said. “We want to make sure that our students and our staff are okay, and that they come to school ready and able to engage appropriately.”

Goals for Math and Reading Proficiency

Another big goal that Dr. Tasker-Mitchell has for the district is improving reading and math proficiency across all grade levels.

While there are bright spots—a 21% improvement in English 10 testing and a 7% increase in fifth-grade reading and language arts scores—the superintendent says there is room for more improvement.

“One, how rigorous our instruction is in the classroom for students is going to be really important for me and my team to look at. Second, [we will look at] how we are differentiating our instruction and how we are supporting leaders,” Dr. Tasker-Mitchell said. “Third, looking at how we help teachers to provide content that [students] are familiar with, and that they’re able to make it relevant to their students.”

Dr. Tasker-Mitchell adds that her team will be taking another look at how assessment data can be used to make the best decisions towards positive student outcomes. “I think that’s going to be really important.”

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, the superintendent says SCPS is small but mighty, and stepping into excellence. Perhaps the most important support in that mission, she says, is that of parents.

“We need you. We need you to help us to be able to help your students in a way that is impactful for them. That is my message,” Dr. Tasker-Mitchell said. “Students do better when their parents are involved, and that is an absolute fact. In my tenure and my career, I have seen that make a difference.”

Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell began her four-year term on July 1st, 2024. SCPS students will return to classes on September 3rd and 4th.