Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) today announces the administrative appointment of McKenna Lewis, Ed.D., as the Director of Elementary Education.

The Board of Education of Charles County at its March 12 meeting approved the appointment of Lewis to the role. Her appointment is effective July 1.

Lewis is currently principal at Heather Hills Elementary School with Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). She will replace current Director of Elementary Education Meighan Hungerford, who has announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

In accepting the appointment, Lewis told the Board she is excited to join the CCPS leadership team.

“I could talk forever about my excitement in joining Charles County Public Schools. I am passionate about students, student outcomes and seeing students grow. I am also dedicated to taking care of the adults that I work with and want to make sure I can provide that support, too. I look forward to my role in telling part of the student story and am excited to delve deep into the data and do the work with you all to support the community,” Lewis said.

Lewis has been an elementary school principal with PGCPS since 2018. Under her leadership at both Heather Hills and James H. Harrison elementary schools, student performance and achievement has grown on county and state assessments. Lewis strives to collaborate with education stakeholders to ensure increased services and resources for students are available and facilitates professional learning to build knowledge and skills among school administrators, teachers, staff, parents and families.

During her tenure as a principal with PGCPS, Lewis has been committed to ensuring equitable practices among staff to ensure students with disabilities, advanced learners, English language learners and students in poverty receive the same education as their peers. Lewis was also integral in developing a talented and gifted learning community during her time as an assistant principal and academic facilitator with Imagine Foundations charter school, also located in Prince George’s County.

Her administrative career in education also includes an assistant principal role with The SEED School of Maryland in Baltimore, and Dean of Student Support at KIPP-Ujima Village Academy with Baltimore County Public Schools. Lewis began her career in education as a sixth-grade math teacher with the District of Columbia Public Schools.

Hungerford will work with Lewis until she retires to help her transition into the role.

Lewis is a School Improvement Leadership Academy Fellow with the University of Maryland. She is also certified through the National Association of Elementary School Principals as a national principal mentor.

Lewis obtained her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, K-12, from Grand Canyon University. She has an Education Specialist certification in special education from The George Washington University. Additionally, Lewis obtained her Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on elementary education from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts in mass media arts from Hampton University.

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).