Legacy in Action: MCPS Recognizes District’s Longest-Serving Staff at Black History Month Celebration

MCPS concluded its Black History Month celebrations by honoring some of the district’s longest-serving staff members at the Carver Educational Services Center. The event, titled “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” spotlighted the careers and legacies of Dorothea Fuller, Clayton “Fox” Lyles, and Estelle Moore.

Dorothea Fuller: A Journey Rooted in Education

Dorothea Fuller’s career with MCPS began in 1984 as an elementary school counselor at Mill Creek Towne. Over the next 40 years, she served as a Pupil Personnel Worker and an administrator at both the high school and elementary levels before being appointed principal of Galway Elementary School in 2014.

Fuller pointed to her own upbringing as the foundation of her commitment to student empowerment. “I was born during the era of Jim Crow, in the ‘colored’ section called Greenwood in Princess Anne, Maryland,” she said, noting that early statistics and predictions for her future were not promising. She credited education, faith, and the belief of a teacher for setting her on a different path, a journey that now informs her view of Black History Month as a critical tool for grounding the district’s work in truth and historical accuracy. For Fuller, the month provides an essential opportunity to educate all students on the significant contributions African Americans have made to the United States and the world.

"Legacy is what remains long after we are gone," Fuller said. "My hope is that my legacy will be that I helped students feel proud of their heritage, feel good in their own skin, and empowered to believe in the unique possibilities they possess."

Clayton “Fox” Lyles: The Soul of Redland

Known throughout the district by his nickname, "Fox," Clayton Lyles has been a fixture in MCPS since 1971. He spent 14 years at Sligo Junior High before moving to Redland Middle School in 1986, where he has served as the Building Service Manager for the last 40 years.

Lyles’ journey is a testament to the professional growth opportunities within the district. He started with MCPS as a building service worker and rose to management through district training programs. He noted that the "family" atmosphere at Redland, where he has worked alongside 12 different principals, is what kept him in the same building for four decades.

Redland Principal Matt Niper described Lyles as the "heart and soul" of the school. "He possesses a deep knowledge of our facility and the technical skill to fix nearly any piece of equipment in the district," Niper said, noting that Lyles' legendary flip phone and his “I know a guy” approach to problem-solving keep the building running perfectly. Niper added that Lyles is an outstanding employee and a "beloved member of our Redland family," calling him "one in a million."

Estelle Moore: The Heart of the Classroom

Estelle Moore, a second-grade teacher at Greencastle Elementary School, stands as one of the district’s most enduring icons of education. Her journey with MCPS began in 1974, and her profound impact was recognized early in her career when she was named the 1993 MCPS Teacher of the Year. For Moore, the classroom has never been just a workplace; it has been a calling.

Spending the last 30 years of her career at Greencastle, Moore has taught through decades of extraordinary change, including major demographic shifts, policy reforms, and evolving technology. She has guided generations of children through complex challenges—navigating poverty, immigration, and language barriers—while maintaining an unwavering belief in their potential. "I have learned that teaching is never just about content," Moore shared. "It is about relationships, dignity, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential."  

Affectionately known as “Moma Moore,” she noted that Black History Month has evolved alongside her career. What once centered on bulletin boards and a few well-known figures has become a deeper opportunity to honor lived experiences and affirm the brilliance of Black students in her own community. For Moore, the strength of MCPS lies in its diversity, which she believes has challenged educators to grow and teach more intentionally. Black History Month reminds her of the responsibility educators hold to confront inequities, amplify voices that have too often been marginalized, and create classrooms where every child knows they matter.

As she reflects on more than 50 years in the classroom, Moore hopes her legacy is defined by her consistency and her commitment to growth. "Students may not remember every lesson, but they remember how you made them feel," she said. "To have spent 50 years in service to children within Montgomery County Public Schools is one of the greatest honors of my life." Greencastle Principal Kurshanna Dean echoed this sentiment, describing Moore as the personification of dedication: "Mrs. Moore exemplifies passion, excellence, and lifelong dedication... her joyful, nurturing classroom and lasting impact on generations reflect the very best of our profession."