Billie-Jean Bensen, principal of Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac, is the winner of this year’s Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) gives the award annually to an administrator who has shown an exceptional ability to encourage academic excellence, positive human relations, and strong community outreach. The award is named in honor of Dr. Mark Mann, former principal of Parkland Junior High School, who died in 1988.

Superintendent Jerry D. Weast presented the award at an October 21st meeting of MCPS administrators and supervisors.

Staff and parents who nominated Bensen for the award praised her as a “21st century leader who realizes that developing and maintaining positive relationships with every student, staff member, and parent is integral to student success.” She is noted for digging deep into student data in order to focus instruction on the needs of individual students.

In a letter notifying Bensen of her selection, Weast said, “You have an extensive record of excellence in educational leadership and community involvement, and you have made your school an exceptional place where students can and do succeed.”

Benson began her career with MCPS in 1983 as a social studies teacher at Colonel Zadok Magruder High School. She also taught social studies at Watkins Mill and Thomas S. Wootton high schools. In 1998, she was named an assistant principal at James Hubert Blake High School and was serving as assistant principal at Earle B.Wood Middle School when she was appointed principal at Hoover in 2003.

More information about Herbert Hoover Middle School is at the link below.