WESTOVER, MD (May 24, 2024) – Following its recent round of candidate interviews, the Somerset County Board of Education has reached consensus on two (2) candidate finalists identified in the search for the next Superintendent of Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS).
Mr. Brian Curtis and Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell have been selected to return for the final round of candidate interviews and meet the community at “Meet and Greet” events on May 28 (Mr. Curtis) and May 29 (Dr. Tasker-Mitchell). Both events will be held at Somerset County Technical High School (SCTHS), starting at 5:30 p.m. Information on the experience and qualification of the candidates is available on the system website at www.somerset.k12.md.us/SuperintendentSearch.
Board Chairperson, Mr. Bill McInturff, shared, “After careful consideration, the Board has selected Mr. Curtis and Dr. Tasker-Mitchell as highly qualified candidates to become the next Superintendent of Schools. We encourage the SCPS community to learn more and participate in the process at the upcoming meetings. Members of the Board will conduct the final interviews with each candidate at the conclusion of their meet & greet, and we hope to make a selection by the first week of June. From there, the Board must seek approval from the State Superintendent before taking formal action on the new Superintendent’s contract.”
About Superintendent Candidate Finalist, Mr. Brian Curtis
Mr. Brian Curtis is a family man first and foremost. He and his wife, Gria Hernandez Curtis, have five adult children and three grandchildren—Kayla, Callum, and Aiden—whom they adopted and are raising, and is the direct benefactor of their combined decades of high-level leadership experiences. Throughout his life, education has played a critical role, shaping his journey from a misguided child from the projects of Salisbury, MD, to a beacon of transformative leadership within the educational realm.
Curtis's career is marked by a steadfast commitment to excellence, demonstrating a profound capacity to elevate school performance through strategic foresight, data-informed decision-making, and pioneering professional development strategies. His roles have included Special Education Teacher, School and State level Leadership, and Education/Leadership Consultant. Notably, he played critical roles in the opening of state-of-the-art educational facilities such as Salisbury Middle School in Wicomico County, Mariner Middle School, and Cape Henlopen High Schools in the Cape Henlopen School district in Delaware. At Salisbury Middle School, he created and developed the position of Technology and Training Coordinator, a role which was critical to the success of the school level programs, and for which his successor was named State Teacher of the Year. At Mariner Middle School, his innovative approaches to data-driven instruction and school climate/culture led the school out of school improvement to a rating of Superior in a two-year span. The school continues the successful trajectory, and his successor there is the current State Principal of the year. At Cape Henlopen High School, he was responsible for the oversight and implementation of all student, staff, and building-level technology systems and programs, ensuring they were equipped with the best resources to support academic excellence.
At the Delaware Department of Education, Mr. Curtis served as a direct report to the Deputy Secretary of Education, overseeing the Delaware Education Support System (DESS). In this capacity, he coordinated statewide efforts to provide targeted support and resources to schools in need. He led initiatives to improve instructional practices, enhance professional development for educators, and implement innovative statewide policies and data-driven strategies to boost student achievement. As Deputy Officer of School Turnaround, he was responsible for the lowest-performing 15% of schools in the state, all of which realized remarkable gains in student outcomes under his leadership. He crafted and executed transformative strategies that significantly enhanced student performance in historically underperforming schools. His leadership narrative is enriched by a robust blend of experiences in both administrative and classroom environments, where his innovative strategies have fostered cultures of positivity and exceptional academic achievement. His certification as a John Maxwell coach, teacher, and speaker further solidifies his dedication to leadership excellence and continuous growth.
Brian E. Curtis embodies the essence of a leader equipped to confront and navigate complex educational challenges. His visionary leadership is driven by a steadfast belief in the potential of every student, effective communication prowess, and collaborative spirit with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. His exceptional track record of fostering remarkable transformations in challenging educational landscapes positions him as an ideal candidate to lead and inspire any educational institution, ensuring the attainment of substantial improvements and the creation of thriving learning environments.
About Superintendent Candidate Finalist, Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell
Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell, an Anne Arundel County Public School native, is an Instructional Director for Prince George’s County (MD) Public Schools/Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Tasker-Mitchell has over 20 years of experience as a public school educator in Maryland with most of her tenure being in the Anne Arundel County Public School System. Dr. Tasker-Mitchell has held positions including: Executive Director of Teaching and Learning in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent of Schools/Executive Director of Principal Support in Baltimore City Public Schools, and she was a principal, assistant principal and teacher in the Anne Arundel County Public School System. She has worked in rural, suburban and urban school districts, with a lens on improving outcomes for students, teachers and families.
She also understands the importance of building relationships with the stakeholder community to support continuous improvement efforts. Her focus on leadership, teaching, learning and data earned her recognition from the Maryland State Department of Education for increasing student performance.
Dr. Tasker-Mitchell is no stranger to the Maryland Eastern Shore and has acquired most of her education there to cultivate her love of learning. She earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Towson University and her two undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, from Salisbury University. Dr. Tasker-Mitchell was also selected to participate in Harvard University’s Public Educator Leadership Program, AASA’s (American Association of School Administrators) Superintendent Academy and Maryland’s Inaugural Superintendent’s Academy. She is passionate about teaching, learning and advocating on behalf of all students. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she is a results-oriented leader focused on what is best for children, with a track record of success.
Dr. Tasker-Mitchell loves her faith and family, including her husband Joseph, six nieces and nephews and three wonderful bonus daughters that she adores. She is an exercise enthusiast, loves the outdoors and riding her motorcycle. Her family consider themselves fishermen and water enthusiasts. Dr. Tasker-Mitchell has a collaborative leadership style accompanied by an engaging personality that is supported by strong core values and integrity. She is viewed by others as a highly energetic and a focused instructional leader.