Patricia E. Abernethy, the newest chief academic officer for Baltimore County public schools, is described as a champion for children and an educator with an exceptional understanding of what it takes to boost academic achievement.
"She is very student-oriented," said Elizabeth Morgan, superintendent of Washington County public schools. "She really cares about kids and what's best for kids."
Abernethy, 61, who most recently served two years as deputy chief of staff for strategic planning and development for Baltimore City public schools, was named chief academic officer of Baltimore County public schools last week.
She takes over about three months after the system decided not to renew the contract of its first chief academic officer, Sonia Diaz, who served for a year.
County schools Superintendent Joe A. Hairston created the chief academic officer position in response to sweeping recommendations from an independent evaluation of the county school system's strategy for teaching youngsters. The review found significant shortcomings, including the lack of an administrative leader to oversee curriculum and instruction.
In a statement last week, Hairston said Abernethy was chosen for her "diversity of experience" and "depth of expertise" to help shape reforms for the system's nearly 105,000 students.
"Throughout her career, Dr. Abernethy has been committed, as Baltimore County Public Schools is, to the importance of educating all children well, to increasing academic rigor, and to the strategic use of professional development to improve the quality of instruction," he said.
Abernethy said she applied for the county's chief academic officer position after deciding she would like to work for Hairston. She said she believes that under Hairston's leadership, the school system has set the right standards and is positioned to realize significant progress in the coming years in academic achievement.
She said she is regarded as a taskmaster with exacting standards, but one who is willing to toil in the trenches.
"People say I have high standards, but we only have one chance [to prepare students] and each chance we take, we have to make our best effort," she said. ""But whatever I ask them to do, I'm willing to do with them as well."
