Lauren Specht, assistant principal at Arthur Middleton Elementary School, recently received the 2026 Connected School Leader Award through the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) for her dedication to Middleton. Before coming to Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Specht served as an educator with Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) and Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).
Growing up she aspired to become a teacher because she wanted to help people. Her teaching career lead her to becoming an assistant principal. After graduating from Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, previously known as Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Specht became a fourth-grade math and science teacher with PGCPS. With her teaching degree and concentration of Spanish, she was fully immersed into the culture at the school. She challenged herself at times to teach the students in English and Spanish, increasing the percentage of proficiency of learning for the students. She taught at PGCPS for 12 years before transitioning to PWCS as a second-grade teacher.
Specht earned her master’s degree in leadership from McDaniel College and became an administrative intern for two years with PWCS before landing a position as assistant principal which she held for four years before coming to CCPS.
There were changes in her personal life which led her look for work with CCPS and she met Nicole Hawkins, principal at Middleton, with the same shared vision in education. “I felt like everything fell into place,” Specht said. Specht put her house in Virginia on the market in July 2024 and started her school year with CCPS in August of the same year.
“We are fully aligned with the same ideals, high expectations from staff, leading with love growth and support,” Specht said about working with Hawkins. They have a reward system for staff at the school similar to Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) for the students. Specht and Hawkins hold monthly drawings with baskets full of goodies fostering an environment of collaboration and trust.
“Her ability to connect personally with others builds trust and fosters a culture where every voice matters,” Hawkins said. “Teachers feel supported, students feel seen and families feel welcomed as partners in the educational journey.” Specht attributes her growth as an assistant principal to Hawkins in that she gives her opportunities to try out new things for the students and staff. “She allows me to grow as a leader in the capacity that I want to,” Specht said.
Hawkins said that she knows students by name, greets staff with genuine interest and listens with empathy and intent.
Jackie Burch, instructional resource teacher (IRT) at the school, recalls a time when Specht supported her as she transitioned from being a classroom teacher to becoming an IRT. “It has been a great growth experience,” Burch said. “She is always approaching students and staff with grace.”
The Connected School Leader Award recognizes school leaders who exemplify the power of connectedness by fostering meaningful relationships, strengthening teams and helping others understand how their contributions support the greater mission of our schools. Through their leadership, they create an environment where every person feels valued, important and part of something larger than themselves.
“Through her compassion, collaboration and vision, she has transformed the school into a community bound by trust, respect and purpose—proving that when people feel connected, they achieve greatness together,” Hawkins said.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 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 Dr. Mike Blanchard, 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).