2 BCPS Principals Graduate From Leadership Baltimore County

TOWSON, MD – Kalisha Miller, principal of Pikesville Middle School, and Jewell Ralph, principal of the Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies, were among the 75 local professionals recently honored for their successful completion of Leadership Baltimore County.

A commencement, held in June at DeJon Vineyard, celebrated both 2020 and 2021 graduates of the program. Miller completed the program in 2020 and Ralph in 2021.

“Our principals embrace their role as community leaders and understand how vital their schools are to the neighborhoods they serve and to the county,” said Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Darryl L. Williams in a news release. “I am so proud of Ms. Miller and Ms. Ralph for taking advantage of the Leadership Baltimore County program as a means to deepen their connections to other community leaders and to expand their knowledge of the county.”

Now in its 38th year, Leadership Baltimore County brings together leaders in diverse industries and offers them experiences and discussions. Class participants visit locations throughout the county, meet prominent leaders, and gain insight into how the county works, its challenges and opportunities, and how they can help make a difference individually and collectively.

Leadership Baltimore County’s Signature Program is the only one of its kind that includes a 360-degree leadership assessment with one-on-one executive coaching to help members understand and hone their leadership capabilities.

“Leadership Baltimore County provided me the opportunity to engage with other professionals throughout Baltimore County to increase my civic awareness and enhance my organizational effectiveness to support not only BCPS but Baltimore County as a whole,” said Miller in a news release. “It was an honor to share the BCPS story with other Baltimore County leaders to enhance community support for our school system. Leadership Baltimore County also afforded me the opportunity to gain lifelong colleagues and friends that are now part of my professional network.”

“Leadership Baltimore County provided me with a wonderful opportunity to interact with a diverse, talented, and experienced group of leaders who are doing remarkable things professionally and in support of our communities,” said Ralph in a statement. “I am looking forward to continuing to cultivate the great relationships I’ve formed with my Leadership Baltimore County classmates who share my goal to move the region into a brighter future.”

Miller joined BCPS in 2000 and became principal of Pikesville Middle in July 2016. She has also served BCPS as a special education teacher (at Sudbrook Magnet Middle and Deer Park Middle Magnet), special education department chair (Deer Park Middle Magnet), assistant principal (Dundalk High), and director of special education. She also worked at the Maryland State Department of Education for five years as a student achievement and support specialis in the Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

Currently pursuing a doctorate in administration and leadership at Walden University, Miller has earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s degree in special education from Coppin State University.

Ralph has been an educator with BCPS for 22 years. Prior to her current position, she served as assistant principal and a mentor teacher at Woodlawn High, an administrator at Woodlawn Middle, and a science teacher at Randallstown High.

In the community, Ralph serves as vice president of the Baltimore County Alliance of Black School Educators. technology liaison for a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and as a volunteer for the Living Legends Service to Humanity food drive program.

Ralph served as a fellow with NASA in Huntsville, Alabama, and has earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Oakwood University and a master’s degree in toxicology from Johns Hopkins University.