State Board of Education Elects New President

The Maryland State Board of Education this week unanimously elected Dr. Justin M. Hartings as president, and elected Stephanie Iszard as vice president.

According to a press release:

Justin Hartings Courtesy of MSDE

Dr. Hartings was elected in 2008 and 2012 to the Washington County Board of Education. He served as president of the board for two years and vice president for three. During his tenure on the board, Washington County Public Schools opened the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, the first public-private partnership public school construction project in Maryland, implemented the first of its kind county-wide digital learning plan for k-12 students, and developed a Hagerstown downtown partnership between Washington County Schools, the Maryland Theater, and the University System of Maryland – Hagerstown.

Dr. Hartings lives in Washington County with his wife and three children. His children all attend Washington County Public Schools.

Stephanie R. Iszard, M.Ed., has more than 25 years of administrative and classroom experience in the public and private sectors of education. Currently the principal at a private school in Prince Georges County, she obtained her B.A. in Education from the University of Louisiana and Master’s degree in Education from Regent University. Ms. Iszard earned a Lifetime Educator’s Certificate by the Executive Board of ACSI. She is certified by ACSI as a principal at all levels.

Stephanie Iszard Courtesy of MSDE

She has served the educational community as math instructor, Dean of Students, Instructional Council Member for developing curriculum, chair of several committees (safety, site advisory, funding, etc.), parent/student/ teacher conflict ombudsman, to name a few. Ms. Iszard loves getting parents and communities involved in the educational process. Black History Festivals, Cinco de Mayo Celebrations, and Pi Day Celebrations are a few examples. She has led fundraisers for various private institutions, written grants, and worked to get Smartboards in every classroom in her school. Her resolute drive and passion for teaching and challenging students to grow has made her prominent among her peers.

Stephanie R. Iszard, an Annapolis resident, was born and raised in southern Louisiana and has lived in Maryland over 23 years. She is the proud mother of, Zach, 23 and Katie, 22.

Read the full press release for more information.