Dr. Donna C. Hanlin has served as Wicomico Superintendent of Schools since July
1, 2016. This is a true homecoming for Dr. Hanlin, who is a Salisbury native, graduate of James M.
Bennett High School, and former Wicomico teacher, principal and administrator. She
is an educator with a broad background of teaching and leadership experiences from
pre-kindergarten to higher education and a strong passion for improving the
lives of children.
Dr. Hanlin began her career as a classroom teacher in
Wicomico County Public Schools. She
assisted in the design of the elementary guidance program for the school system
and served as an elementary and middle school counselor. She served as
Assistant Principal at Wicomico Middle and James M. Bennett High schools and as
Principal of James M. Bennett High School before being promoted to Director of
Secondary Education for the school system.
After 26 years in Wicomico County Public Schools, Dr.
Hanlin moved to Hagerstown. In
Washington County Public Schools, she served as Supervisor of Special
Education, Director of Elementary Education, Assistant Superintendent and
finally Associate Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer, having been
promoted to positions with progressively-increasing responsibility.
Dr. Hanlin
has taught master’s and doctorate level courses for Frostburg State University
on instructional design, assessment and accountability, and the change
process. She served as consultant in the
design of the STEMM Technical Middle College, a partnership between the
Washington County Public Schools and Hagerstown Community College, providing
early college opportunities for high school students. She most recently served as Co-Chair and
Director of Assessment and Accountability for the Department of Education at
Shepherd University.
The Wicomico County Board of Education in March 2016 appointed Dr. Hanlin to a four-year term as Wicomico Superintendent of Schools.
From the Superintendent's December 2016 vision letter to Wicomico School families:
Wicomico County Public Schools – We aspire to be:
- a public school system rooted in a culture of respect, transparency, and collegiality; where trust, the quality of relationships, and empowerment are clearly understood to be the foundation for success.
- a public school system committed to safe schools; created through a careful balance of clearly communicated and enforced expectations and an atmosphere where students know that teachers and administrators believe in them.
- a public school system dedicated to meeting the needs of each student from the most gifted to the most challenged; focusing on early literacy, student engagement in authentic problem solving, innovative instruction that encourages creativity, and preparing students with 21st century skills necessary to successfully enter college or the world of work.
- a public school system our community believes in - where teachers compete for jobs, employers compete for well-prepared graduates, families choose to live, and businesses aspire to relocate because of its reputation built upon the pursuit of excellence in providing an outstanding education for our community’s students.