NEWARK — Effective July 1, Buckingham Elementary School Principal Denise Shorts will transfer to Worcester County Public Schools’ Central Office as the Coordinator of Instruction for K-12 Literacy and Title I.
The K-12 Literacy and Title I coordinator position will replace the position currently held by Dr. Donna Main, Coordinator of Instruction for English, who will be retiring on June 30.
Shorts has served 26 years with Worcester County Public Schools and has assumed leadership advisory roles in the system’s transition to the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards (Common Core). As a former curriculum planner who is passionate about literacy, Shorts is eager to guide teachers and administrators in strengthening literacy curricula to reflect the system’s goals.
“We want curricula to reflect the rigor of the standards while using instructional best-practices that inspire collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity in our students,” said Shorts. “We also want literacy curricula across all grade levels to provide our teachers with effective tools and strategies like integrating STEM, technology, and the arts.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jerry Wilson said Shorts’ background and knowledge will assist the school system in advance literacy initiatives.
“Literacy extends beyond the ability to read and write in English and/or a child’s world language,” said Wilson. “Literacy is the foundation – the starting point – for everything we do in all classrooms and in all subject areas. Ms. Shorts’ expertise will benefit each and every student in our system.”
Shorts will also oversee the school system’s Title I program. Title I is a federal program that is designed to improve the academic achievement of schools with poverty levels that exceed 40 percent of the student population. Shorts has been principal of two Title I schools, spanning 11 years of service. She has also served in schools with low poverty levels.
“I understand the educational needs of students who come from households of poverty,” said Shorts, “and I am passionate about equity in education for all students.”
Wilson added, “In Worcester County Public Schools, we believe that every student can and will achieve academic success. With Ms. Shorts’ leadership in Title I, we will continue to narrow our achievement gap until it is eliminated.”
The process for finding Shorts’ replacement at Buckingham Elementary School is underway. Shorts replaced retired Principal Roger Pacella at Buckingham last summer.
“Our school system is working hard to ensure that when a position opens, it closes with someone ready and prepared to take over the reins. I am confident that Buckingham Elementary School’s next principal will lead the school to even greater heights,” said Shorts.
Shorts acknowledged that she will be sad to leave her school community behind after just one year on the job at Buckingham.
“In a short period of time, I have grown extremely fond of my students and staff, as well as the community. I will miss them, but look forward in impacting them and all Worcester County Public School students in the areas of Literacy and Title I,” she said.
In Shorts’ 26 years, she has held positions as a teacher, curriculum planner, assistant principal and principal, serving the school system in four of the five elementary schools, as well as in the intermediate school. In addition to her participation in the implementation of the new standards and strategic direction, Shorts has been involved with the development of teacher observation/evaluation frameworks, as well as central office evaluation for the school system.