Throughout the country National Principals Month is celebrated every October. recognizes the vitally important role that principals play in making a school great, a community close and a neighborhood safe. Principalship, school administration and campus management roles are among the hardest working, yet some of the most unsung professions of our time. However we at Maya Angelou Public Schools would like to say thank you!
Thank you for all you do, Maya School Leaders. You make a difference in the lives of students every day. As we enter the last days of Principal Appreciation Month, let’s remember all that our Principals are people – click, scroll or swipe to get to know each Maya School Leader just a little bit better than you did before.
Want to put the MORE in MAYA? View our handy and low-cost tips for how to appreciate that special principal or teacher, past or present in your life – no matter what day, month or year it is!
[Emoji] Maya Angelou Public Charter School
[Emoji] 5600 E Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20019
[Emoiji] Getting to Know: Asa Daniels, Principal
What college or university did you attend? “I attended Virginia Union University for undergrad; American University for graduate school in Education and Trinity University for Leadership and Administration.”
What is a saying you live by? “The objective in life is not to make the same mistake twice!”
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “I began in July 2022.”
Why did you decide to become an educator? “I believed that I could make a difference in the life of children by giving them my time and energy.”
What are your guiding principles? “Keep things simple and practical.”
Where’s your Hometown? “I’m originally from Hampton, VA, but grew up in Southern Maryland.”
Who was your biggest inspiration in high school? “My biggest inspiration in high school was my AP History teacher Ms. Marie Grouby.”
[Emoji] Maya Angelou Public Charter School
[Emoji] 5600 E Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20019
[Emoiji] Getting to Know: Shantelle Wright-Cunningham, Principal
What college or university did you attend? “Bowie State University (B.S. in Biology), University of Maryland University College (B.S. in Criminal Justice), Trinity Washington University (Masters in Educational Administration).”
What is a saying you live by? “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. -Dr. Maya Angelou”
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “I started at MAPCS in 2005 as a Science teacher. Over the past 17 years, I have been a teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal.
Why did you decide to become an educator? “When I graduated college I had no idea that I would be an educator. However, within a short amount of time, I realized I had found my calling. I enjoy seeing students grow academically and challenge themselves to be great. I also enjoy mentoring and providing support to teachers.”
What are your guiding principles? “I believe that all students have the right to a high-quality education. I also believe schools should be safe places where they can be appropriately challenged and pushed so they can be the best versions of themselves.”
Where’s your Hometown? “I am from Washington, DC.”
🏫 Maya Angelou PCS
📍 5600 E Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20019
🍎 Getting to Know: Peter Smith, Assistant Principal of Culture
What college or university did you attend? “Tennessee State University (Undergraduate) and Trinity University (Graduate).”
What is a saying you live by? “To whom much is given much is required!”
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “Tuesday, August 23, 2022.”
Why did you decide to become an educator? “I love sharing information, showing people how to do things and being a servant to others.”
What are your guiding principles? “Love, faith, diligence and unselfishness.”
Where’s your Hometown? “Washington, DC.”
Who was your biggest inspiration in high school? “My Mama!”
[Emoji] Young Adult Learning Center
[Emoji] 5600 E Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20019
[Emoiji] Getting to Know: Dr. Sean B. Yisrael, Director of YALC
What college or university did you attend? “Miami University (Oxford, Ohio).”
What is a saying you live by? “Trust in Yah with all thy heart and lean not to thy own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path.”
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “August 2016.”
Why did you decide to become an educator? “I wanted to give back to the youth and my community in a positive way.”
What are your guiding principles? “All students deserve a quality education.”
Where’s your Hometown? “Cincinnati, Ohio.”
[Emoji] Maya Angelou Academy @ DC Jail
[Emoji] 1901 D Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
[Emoiji] Getting to Know: Russell Waller, Director [Need photo]
What college or university did you attend? “Christopher Newport University.”
What is a saying you live by? “Hard work beats talent every time. There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “August 29th 2016.”
Why did you decide to become an educator? “To motivate and inspire the youth.”
What are your guiding principles? “Faith, hope and love.”
Where’s your Hometown? “Woodbridge, VA.”
Who was your biggest inspiration in high school? “Coach Custard.”
[Emoji] Maya Angelou Academy @ DC Jail
[Emoji] 1901 D Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
[Emoiji] Getting to Know: Shanon Redman, Deputy Director [Check Title] [No photo]
What college or university did you attend? “West Virginia University.”
What is a saying you live by? “Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “November 4, 2021.”
What are your guiding principles? “Positive mindset, reflection, acceptance.”
Where’s your Hometown? “Keyser, WV.”
Who was your biggest inspiration in high school? “Ms. Diaz.”
[Emoji] Maya Angelou @ New Beginnings Youth Development Center
[Emoji] 8400 River Road, Laurel, MD 20724
[Emoiji] Getting to Know: Maurice Milline, Principal
What college or university did you attend? “Bowie State University (Undergrad), Trinity University (Graduate), Harvard University (Postgraduate Certificate).”
What is a saying you live by? “A mistake is only a mistake if you make it twice.”
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “January 2008.”
Why did you decide to become an educator? “To ensure that our young people are given the same opportunities as their counterparts.”
What are your guiding principles? “Every scholar has the right to learn and be exposed to post-secondary options. Every scholar should have access to a safe learning environment that is engaging with rigorous instruction. MAA (Maya Angelou Academies) will consistently recognize and celebrate scholar growth and accomplishments.”
Where’s your Hometown? “Washington, DC.”
Who was your biggest inspiration in high school? “Marion Jay.”
[Emoji] Maya Angelou @ New Beginnings Youth Development Center
[Emoji] 8400 River Road, Laurel, MD 20724
[Emoiji] Getting to Know: Taihra M. Jones, Assistant Principal
What college or university did you attend? “LaSalle University (Undergraduate), College of Notre Dame of Maryland (Graduate).”
What is a saying you live by? “I can do all things through Jesus Christ, who strengthens me!”
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “September 2011.”
Why did you decide to become an educator? “Growing up I despised school! I couldn’t connect with my teachers or what was being taught. I promised myself that one day I would teach children that looked like me in fun and exciting ways so that the knowledge would stay with them for a lifetime.”
What are your guiding principles? “Integrity, forgiveness and perseverance.”
Where’s your Hometown? “Philadelphia, PA.”
Who was your biggest inspiration in high school? “My mother. She taught me about work ethic and how to stand up for myself. She would say, it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.”
[Emoji] Maya Angelou @ Youth Service Center
[Emoji] 1000 Mt. Olivet Road NE, Washington, DC 20002
[Emoiji] Getting to Know: Dr. Darrlyn Harrison, Principal
What college or university did you attend? “I went to Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University.”
What is a saying you live by? “On your worst day, you’re still some child’s best hope!” “The question isn’t who is going to let me – it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “August 2021.”
Why did you decide to become an educator? “I was always able to explain concepts in math to my peers in a way that they could understand, so it was natural for me to become a math teacher.”
What are your guiding principles? “My guiding principles are as follows:
a. Begin with the end in mind.
b. Lead with love and good intentions.
c. Add value to everything I touch.
d. Keep God first.
e. Pray about everything.”
Where’s your Hometown? “I am from Detroit.”
Who was your biggest inspiration in high school? “My inspirations came from home; my mother and my big sister were my role models.”
[Emoji] Maya Angelou @ Youth Service Center
[Emoji] 1000 Mt. Olivet Road NE, Washington, DC 20002
[Emoiji] Getting to Know: Adrian Dhanaraj, Assistant Principal
What college or university did you attend? “I attended New York University for undergrad and got my graduate degree at Columbia University.”
What is a saying you live by? “Dr. King’s ‘We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.'”
When did you begin your journey with Maya? “I began my journey with Maya Angelou Schools as an English Teacher at the Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings in 2018.”
Why did you decide to become an educator? “I had originally planned to be a lawyer who served justice-involved young people but wanted to get experience working with young people before going to law school; however, once I started teaching, I fell in love with this work.”
What are your guiding principles? “My guiding principles are equity, being a listener and anti-racism.”
Where’s your Hometown? “I grew up in Wheaton, Maryland – Mo’ County, where I moved back to in 2020.”
Who was your biggest inspiration in high school? “I don’t know if he was necessarily my biggest inspiration, but Barack Obama’s election during my senior year was really inspiring to me as a young man of color about to figure out my place in the world.”
Our School Leaders continue to engage, excite, and educate every dimension of students as they’ve done in years past. The challenges we face today may have been brought on by a new way of life since we’ve fully reopened our buildings but we know how much hard work Leaders put in, often without recognition, so we created have shared a few no-cost or low-cost suggestions to show educator and public service appreciation for what our Leaders do daily.
