“Education should provide a feast for children who have a natural
appetite for learning. We, as adults, have a role to make certain that the table is properly set and inviting to them.”
The Randallstown NAACP advocates for equitable local, state, federal policies, and laws that establish education standards, allocate resources, and set priorities for education systems. To bridge achievement gaps and ensure that all children get a real chance at a fulfilling education, we will actively confront systemic racism and poverty as tangible barriers to learning and future achievement. Black students as well as other minorities and students with disabilities deserve access to great teaching, equitable resources, and a safe learning environment from grade school classrooms to college campuses. Working on their behalf of these students has never been more urgent.
Recognizing Dr. Barbara Dezmond
Dr. Dezmon completed her doctorate in Education Policy, Planning, and Administration at the University of Maryland at College Park. During her studies, she focused on the academic achievement of minority students. Dr. Dezmon’s work experience includes classroom teacher, administration, professional development, as well as parent, community, and business relations. Dr. Dezmon served as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent as well as Assistant to the Superintendent for Equity and Assurance in Baltimore County Public Schools, one of the largest districts in the nation. In those roles, she provided leadership and support to central offices and schools in many areas and on a range of subjects ranging from administration to curriculum and instruction. She also advised and presented on a broad array of topics, including strategic planning, diversity, differentiation, student achievement, discipline, and cultural responsive education, to assist school districts and other organizations at local, state, and national levels.
In addition to her work on committees and task forces in various arenas, she served as Chair of the Maryland State Education That Is Multicultural (ETM) Advisory Council and Chair of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Achievement Initiative for Maryland’s Minority Students (AIMMS) Steering Committee, which provided recommendations on policies and practices to improve the education of minorities as well as oversight and monitoring of minority issues to assist MSDE and local school systems throughout Maryland. She has directed the production of a number of publications in Maryland, including the state’s initial landmark report on minority achievement and a succinct guide to school district planning. During her work with the MSDE, Maryland attained #1 status for education among states from Education Week. Dr. Dezmon was recognized for contributing substantially to this honor. Dr. Dezmon served as Education Chair for the Maryland State Conference NAACP and has provided assistance to the organization locally and nationally.
Over the years, Dr. Dezmon has been acknowledged for her outstanding service to education as well as to social and civic organizations and activities. Throughout her career, she has worked to reform practices and to bring many positive changes in education for addressing the needs of students from varied racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. She has worked tirelessly and undeterred to eradicate barriers and establish positive bonds between peoples. In both her personal and professional life, she has proven profound commitment to equity, civil rights, and the welfare of children.
This is the reason we are giving Dr. Dezmon the Randallstown NAACP Academic Achievement award!
When Great People Pass
On November 29, 2023, Dr. Robert Young Dubel, transitioned at the age of 98. Dr. Dubel will be enshrined as the Superintendent who symbolizes the glory days of Baltimore County Public Schools. In fact, his leadership steered the school district in securing that high status. Dr. Dubel was an exemplary leader who dedicated his life to promoting quality education for all children and assuring equitable treatment, particularly for those who were too often marginalized. He predicted challenges before they occurred and worked to prevent them. He brought dignity to the role of superintendent, made himself readily available, and assured multiple stakeholders a voice, regardless of race, socio-economics, or any other factor. He went beyond the standard perception of superintendent in advocating on behalf of multiple groups, including parents, educators, and, always and foremost, students. Even after his retirement, he continued his assistance to educators as well as service to children and the community. As Longfellow wrote, “When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.” Dr. Dubel leaves a light to guide us far into the future.