Centennial High School’s Joelle Miller named Howard Principal of the Year

Centennial High School Principal Joelle Miller has been named the 2024 Howard County Public School System Principal of the Year.

Miller was told about the honor during a surprise visit to her school and was recognized at a recent Board of Education meeting, according to a news release from the school system.

“I am honored and so grateful to be named Principal of the Year, and I share this achievement with my incredible colleagues,” Miller wrote in an email. “Their unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment to student success are the driving forces behind our school’s achievements. Excellence in education isn’t just about what we teach, it’s about the passion, dedication and inspiration we bring to every student, every day.”

Miller began her career in Montgomery County Public Schools as a science teacher and then worked as a science resource teacher for a decade before coming to Howard County, according to the news release. She also worked as a biology consultant for the Caroline County Public School System and later as a science teacher, Advanced Placement coordinator, biology content review specialist and Maryland Science Olympiad Division Coordinator.

She began her Howard County career as a biology teacher at River Hill High School in 2007 and served as assistant principal at Centennial High School from 2010 to 2015, after which she served as principal at Clarksville Middle School and Mount Hebron High School, according to the release.

She returned to Centennial High School as principal last fall.

At an April 25 school board meeting, Acting Superintendent William Barnes recognized Miller for her achievement.

“If you had an opportunity to interact with Joelle, you know that her work is deeply personal to her,” he said. “I’m so proud of Joelle and the work she does on behalf of our students.”

Principals were nominated based on criteria including collaboration, leadership experience, lifelong learning, listening and support, according to the HCPSS Principal of the Year Award 2024 Nomination Criteria.

Additionally, nominees must be a current principal in the school system, have at least five full years of experience as a principal, including three or more years in the school system, maintain their position through the current school year and not be a previous award winner in the last five years.

Miller was nominated for a number of reasons, including her positive energy, vision and strong work ethic, according to the news release.

In her nomination letter, a student wrote: “Dr. Miller’s active involvement in every facet of school life sets her apart as an exceptional leader. She is truly everywhere, everything, all at once. Dr. Miller shows up for us no matter the time, place, or circumstance. Her reliability, dedication and support are truly unwavering.”