Board of Education Member Judy Docca to Receive Minority Recognition Award from the Maryland State Education Association

January 16, 2013

The Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) has selected Dr. Judy Docca, member of the Montgomery County Board of Education, to receive the 2013 Minority Recognition Leadership Award.

The Minority Recognition Awards recognizes individuals who promote and demonstrate leadership in public education and have had a significant impact at the national, state, and local levels. Awards are given in the following categories: education, leadership, politics, community and student.

Recipients of the Leadership Award have made exceptional contributions to education in the state of Maryland on a sustained basis. They work to foster increased public understanding of public education issues and promote improvement in Maryland’s public school system.

“Dr. Docca has been a champion for improving educational opportunities in Montgomery County for many years and the impact of her work is immeasurable”, said Board of Education President Christopher Barclay. “This award is a fitting recognition of her efforts that have changed the lives of countless MCPS students and families.”

Dr. Docca will be honored during the MSEA’s 28th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast on Saturday, January 19, 2013.

“I am humbled and honored to be selected to receive this award,” Dr. Docca said. “I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many outstanding Board members, educators, staff and advocates who are deeply committed to the well-being of our students.”

Dr. Docca was first elected to the Board of Education in 2006 and is currently serving her second four-year term. She chairs the Board’s Communications and Public Engagement Committee and is a member of the Special Populations Committee. Prior to joining the Board of Education, Dr. Docca spent 38 years with Montgomery County Public Schools. She began her career as a Spanish and French teacher, and also served as human relations coordinator, assistant principal at Montgomery Blair High School, and principal at Argyle Middle School.

Dr. Docca has been an officer, education chair, and youth council sponsor of the Montgomery County NAACP. She has served as chair of the Multicultural Community Partnership, president and treasurer of the Montgomery County Alliance of Black School Educators, a member of the Hispanic Educators Association, and a member of the Asian American Educators Association. Dr. Docca led the charge in the 1990’s to save Montgomery County’s Head Start program, working with the community to convince the Board of Education, the County Executive and the County Council to continue the unique educational program and ancillary services provided to families. In October, 2012, Dr. Docca was inducted into the Montgomery County Human and Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

Maryland State Education Association

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