Howard County Public Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano Receives Two Career Awards

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Howard County Public School System Superintendent Michael J. Martirano was recently honored with two special awards.

The first award is the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award given by the University of Maryland’s College of Education Alumni. The UMD College of Education's website shares that "This award is given to a nominee who has demonstrated excellence through leadership and innovation succeeding their graduation from the College of Education. This award is meant to recognize those who have become pillars in their respective field/area, be it through service, entrepreneurship or academic scholarship."

The College of Education’s Alumni Network also shared with Martirano that he was being “recognized as an individual who has led or inspired change, risen to esteemed positions and has served your community exceptionally.”

Martirano will be recognized in the 2023 issue of Endeavors Alumni Magazine. He received a bachelor of science in science education, a master of education in counseling and personnel matters, and a master of education in educational policy, planning and administration from the University of Maryland.

Martirano also was recently honored by the National Center for Children and Families with the Tom Cookerly Exceptional School Superintendent Leadership Award.

“Dr. Martirano places students, particularly those living in poverty and experiencing other hardships, at the heart of all his decisions,” said Dr. Sheryl Brissett Chapman, executive director for The National Center for Children and Families. “He unquestionably understands NCCF’s mission to level the playing field for all children in our schools by meeting children where they are, and removing barriers based on their individual needs. His willingness to tell his own story of growing up in poverty, entering foster care, and finding education as an opportunity to change his circumstances allows him to connect and empathize with his students in a way that so many in such a position have overlooked, which is why we are so delighted to present him with the 2023 Tom Cookerly Exceptional School Superintendent Leadership Award.”