Dr. Christine Handy is honored to serve her second term as the 22nd President of the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP), representing over 900 administrators in Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland. With over 35 years of dedicated service in education, including 20 years as a high school principal in urban and rural districts, she remains committed to championing school district leaders and advancing public education.
A trailblazer in her field, Dr. Handy made history as the first woman of color to be elected President of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) from 2018 to 2019. There, she was privileged to provide professional development and support to school principals across the USA and advocate for education to our nation's political leaders on Capitol Hill. She testified before the Senate Education Committee on the value of professional learning for school principals and for dedicated Title II funding.
She has held numerous leadership roles within the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and was recognized as the Maryland State Principal of the Year in 2006. Her leadership excellence was acknowledged when she received the Montgomery County Public Schools' prestigious Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in School Leadership in 2014.
Beyond her local and national impact, Dr. Handy is an international speaker and trainer. She has led professional development for school leaders in Beijing, China, and the United States. She has presented at Equity Colloquiums, National College Board Advanced Placement conferences, and National Principal Conferences and provided keynote speeches at several state conferences. Additionally, she is an Amazon bestselling author, co-authoring several books, and a John Maxwell Certified Speaker and Trainer.
As MCAAP President, Dr. Handy is most proud of her work advocating for school administrators through contract negotiations that have resulted in salary advancements and improved working conditions. She also led MCAAP’s strategic partnership with the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) Local #146, a national affiliate of the AFL-CIO, strengthening the organization’s influence and support for its members.
A devoted mentor and proud auntie, Dr. Handy lives by Shirley Chisholm's words: “Service is the rent we pay for our room here on earth.” Her passion for leadership, equity, and service inspires and uplifts the next generation of educational leaders.