According to Assistant Principal Neeley Miller, Tracy Hilliard creates change at Centerville Elementary School (CES) by building consensus, “utilizing staff, parent, and student input to develop the best plan of action that supports our school’s vision.” This relationship-driven approach to distributed leadership has allowed CES to hone instruction and strengthen the school’s culture, leading to sustained academic gains supported by the community. Over the last five years Hilliard has led CES to state and national recognition as a Maryland Blue Ribbon School in 2016 and a National Blue Ribbon School in 2017. While her leadership has earned her professional recognition, her commitment to mentorship is evident in the variety of honors bestowed upon the teachers whose leadership she has cultivated, including a 2017 Teacher of the Year Award from the Washington Post. Hilliard remains humble, however. Her leadership is motivated by a desire to see every scholar reach their fullest potential while building an environment that actively invites families into the education process, bridging school and community through a variety of initiatives to build life skills, instill a value of service, and shepherd every student toward growth. Hilliard is active in professional and community associations, including as the Community Service Chair of the Frederick County Association of School Administrators. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Elementary Education from Delaware State College, two Master’s degrees in Curriculum & Instruction with Administrator II Certification and Human Resources Development from McDaniel College, and will complete an Ed.D. from Seton Hall University in May 2019.