Photo courtesy of MCPS
On Dec. 13, Howard, recipient of Assistant Principal of the Year, was honored by MCPS in the gymnasium. This was accompanied by a surprise celebration put together by students and staff.
When asked for three words to describe herself, insightful, compassionate and detailed were the first words that came to mind for WCHS Assistant Principal La Faye Howard. Her constant display of these qualities was recognized when she was selected as the 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).
Howard gives significant credit to her family and childhood for molding her into the individual she is today. Despite being mature from a young age, she praises her family members for ingraining, as well as constantly demonstrating, the qualities that she now prioritizes as an administrator at WCHS.
“My upbringing and modeling from my parents and grandparents have greatly impacted me, and have cultivated certain qualities of my personality,” Howard said. “My family foundation is spiritual, built on faith and on being a good human to all humans. My love for literature comes from my mother, taking us to the library every Saturday morning to check out books.”
Howard’s success as an assistant principal is backed with immense education experience prior to joining the WCHS team. Now in her 22nd year working in MCPS, she brings skills from past positions to work with her every day to ensure that she can assist students and staff in reaching their full potential.
“Prior to being an assistant principal, I was an English teacher, English department chair and staff development teacher,” Howard said. “Leading a group of individuals prepares you to become an administrator in that you are navigating department goals and objectives aligned with school-wide and county goals, all this while taking into account a myriad of personalities, needs and wants.”
The WCHS community is undoubtedly grateful for Howard’s dedication, and this immense appreciation was displayed when a surprise celebration was held on Dec. 13 to honor Howard for her award. However, this appreciation is not a one-way street. Howard is extremely thankful to be a part of WCHS and acknowledges how special of a place it is.
“I adore the students here, the staff are amazing and the parents/guardians care deeply about their students,” Howard said. “People are not afraid to ask hard questions or to take risks in communicating what they believe. Students here take their academics very seriously while balancing a myriad of activities in and out of school. All the staff are so supportive of one another and come together when there is a student/family or staff need.”
Howard feels extremely connected to her community and feels lucky to be such an integral part of it. When she is not busy working around the clock to support students and make sure that everything at WCHS runs smoothly, Howard also enjoys utilizing her creativity and drive in another way.
“I love home improvement,” Howard said. “When I bought my second home, my dad and I gutted it. I tiled, installed vanities, cabinetry, light fixtures and flooring. I taught myself, through YouTube videos, how to use a wet saw. After that, I tiled bathrooms and kitchens in three of my friend’s houses.”
In all aspects of her job, Howard never stops at the minimum and always goes above and beyond to support WCHS. Despite having a long list of responsibilities, she makes sure that no students get lost in the woodwork by prioritizing the needs of each and every WCHS student.
“[Howard] has been instrumental in the many programs we have to support student mental health, the No Place For Hate program that directly addresses hate bias in our building, and she does an enormous amount of work to promote improved instruction, well-structured classes and schedules and equitable access for all students in advanced programs and classes,” Taylor said.
Howard’s recent award is a well-deserved token of appreciation for her constant work for every member of the WCHS community. Her unwavering motivation to help others is what earned her such a prestigious honor from MASSP. Howard will now compete for national recognition, and WCHS students and staff are proudly rooting for her.
“It is an honor to work with someone so talented and someone who is such a good person,” WCHS Assistant Principal Monica Taliani said. “Dr. Howard gives everything 100%. She genuinely wants everyone to have a successful experience at WCHS. She works tirelessly to make sure that happens.”