Maryland Education Leaders Gather for Annual Breakfast Event

On Tuesday, the Maryland chapter of the Council for American Private Education (Maryland CAPE), held its 2015 Spring Breakfast. The annual event, hosted this year at the Weinberg Jewish Community Center in Baltimore, drew an impressive crowd of educators and leaders from across the spectrum of faith-based and independent schools. The event merged together excellent networking and information sharing opportunities along with a chance to interact with Maryland’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lillian Lowery, several state legislators, and other state education officials. Additionally, the event included the presentation of awards to individuals who have been vital to the success of nonpublic education in Maryland.

The program was chaired by Agudath Israel’s Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, who serves as the president of Maryland CAPE. Rabbi Sadwin delivered the annual “State of the CAPE” address highlighting the many nonpublic school activities and Maryland CAPE accomplishments from the past year. An extensive legislative report on education issues that were addressed during the recently completed legislative session in Annapolis was delivered by Rabbi Sadwin and Mr. Garrett J. O’Day Esq., of the Maryland Catholic Conference. Other featured speakers during the program were Mr. Joe McTighe, the national executive director of CAPE and Dr. Lillian Lowery, the Superintendent of Schools.

Senator Nathaniel McFadden (recipient of 2015 “Champion of Education” award), Rabbi Sadwin, Senator Ed DeGrange (2013 awardee).

The 2015 Champion of Education award was presented to Senator Nathaniel McFadden. Senator McFadden, a career public school educator and administrator has served in the Maryland Senate since 1995, and is its current President Pro Tem. He has used his position on the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee to help secure vital funds for the use of nonpublic schools and to defend the invaluable role of nonpublic schools in the state. In accepting his award, the senator shared with the assembled his deep passion for education and working to help all children – regardless of the type of school they attend – receive education benefits from the state.

L-R – Rabbi Sadwin, Mr. Ron Goldblatt (recipient of 2015 Civic Achievement award), Mrs. Zipora Schorr, Director of Education at Beth Tfiloh School

The 2015 Civic Achievement Award was presented to Mr. Ron Goldblatt, the retiring executive director of AIMS – the Association of Independent Maryland Schools. An attorney by trade, Mr. Goldblatt gave up the practice of law to be an educator. After many years in the classroom, he served as a principal in the independent schools, before becoming the head of the network of Maryland independent schools. Along the way, he served a term as president of Maryland CAPE and maintained an active role in education related legislation.