The Maryland State Board of Education has named Dr. Karen B. Salmon as its State Superintendent of Schools.
Salmon will begin serving as acting superintendent on June 1. She has been serving as Interim Deputy Superintendent for School Effectiveness earlier this year and has spent more than 30 years as an educator on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
“I am committed to collaborating with all of our stakeholders to ensure a world-class education for every Maryland public school student. I want to build on Maryland's past accomplishments, streamline programs at the Maryland State Department of Education, and articulate a shared vision for educational excellence.”
Salmon began her teaching career as a special education teacher in the Caroline County (Md.) Public Schools. She later moved to the Talbot County (Md.) district as Coordinator of Services for Exceptional Children and rose through the ranks to become superintendent in 2003. She was named the Maryland Superintendent of the Year in 2012
In taking the state's superintendent's job, Salmon succeeds Interim State Superintendent Jack Smith, who will become superintendent of the Montgomery County district, the state's largest school system.
State Board President Guffrie M. Smith, Jr., says Salmon is well prepared to lead the state’s education system.
“Dr. Salmon knows our state, understands our challenges, and has a track record of developing effective solutions to educational issues through collaboration,” Smith says. “The board looks forward with great confidence to working alongside Dr. Salmon as we move our schools and our students toward new levels of success.”
