Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) today announces the appointment of Traci Chappelear-Thomas as the new Director of Community Engagement and Equity. The Board of Education of Charles County at its June 11 meeting approved the selection of Chappelear-Thomas to the role. She will join CCPS as the Director of Community Engagement and Equity effective July 1.

She currently serves as the Supervisor of Human Resources, Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement and Public Information Officer for Calvert County Public Schools. The new role for Chappelear-Thomas with CCPS brings her career back to a school system she once taught in, having served the school system for three years as a business education teacher at North Point High School. Chappelear-Thomas also helped CCPS expand its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs from 2015 to 2020 as the Coordinator of K-12 Career and Technology Education.

Chappelear-Thomas began her educational career with CCPS at North Point in 2006. She then transitioned to a business education teacher role with Manhattan Business Academy in New York for a year followed by three years at Leonardtown High School with St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). In 2013, Chappelear-Thomas took an administrative role at Margaret Brent Middle School with SMCPS as a vice principal before coming back to Charles County to oversee career and technical education.

In her current role with Calvert County Public Schools, Chappelear-Thomas serves as the community liaison for all business partnerships, leads systemwide professional development for anti-bias training, is the Calvert County School Foundation Grant Chair and leads systemwide recruiting, hiring and retention of both certificated and support personnel. She is the Title I human resources liaison, maintains collaborative relationships with community stakeholders and oversees systemwide communications, media relations and social media management.

Chappelear-Thomas said she looks forward to overseeing community engagement and equity for CCPS.

“I am excited for the opportunity to work with the students, staff, schools and families of Charles County Public Schools. With this new role, I am eager to dive in and make impactful change for the community,” Chappelear-Thomas said.

Chappelear-Thomas is currently working toward her doctorate degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University in instructional leadership for changing populations. She earned an Equity and Excellence in Education Certificate in 2013 from McDaniel College and a post masters certification in administration and supervision from Notre Dame University of Maryland in 2012. Chappelear-Thomas has a master’s degree in leadership in teaching and secondary education certification in business from Notre Dame of Maryland University, and a bachelor’s degree in international business from State University of New York. 

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).