Robert Dodd named new principal
Robert Dodd named new principal of Whitman. The Board of Education announced its unanimous decision for Dodd May 21. Photo courtesy Argyle Middle School.
May 21, 2018
The MCPS Board of Education unanimously approved the nomination of Robert Dodd as Whitman’s new principal May 21. He will take over for current principal Alan Goodwin July 1.
Dodd is currently the lead consulting principal in the county Office of Human Resources and Development. Previously, he served as the principal of Strathmore Elementary School and Argyle Middle School in Silver Spring.
“Dr. Dodd is excited and gratified to join the Walt Whitman staff and school community in order to help continue Walt Whitman High School’s traditions of strong excellence,” superintendent Jack Smith said at the meeting.
The BOE selected Dodd following a lengthy selection process involving students, teachers and county administrators.
“When I got the call that I was going to be recommended for appointment, I was completely blown away,” Dodd said. “I really was just overwhelmed with a kind of humility and gratitude about the opportunity.”
The Washington Post awarded Dodd its Distinguished Educational Leadership Award in 2014 for going beyond the demands of his position by creating an exceptional educational environment at Argyle.
Whitman Education Foundation president Alice Gallin believes Dodd is well-equipped to lead the school and is a good fit for the community.
“Dr. Dodd is going to be welcome into the Whitman community by the parents, staff and students with open arms, and we’re really excited to work with him,” Gallin said. “He’s empathetic and he seemed to really care about students. I think he will be an informed and caring administrator and educator.”
Dodd is excited to work with high schoolers after his tenure with grades Kindergarten to 8th, he said.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with high school students at, really, the most important time in one’s life,” Dodd said. “The vibe and just the overall climate [at Whitman is] so positive. It was hard to walk away not feeling like it was a really special place.”
This story was updated May 22.
Michael Cohen, MD • Sep 11, 2018 at 10:44 pm
Wow! I can’t believe it. I bet his father was Alan Dodd!
When I was in Four Corner’s Elementary School in Silver Spring, I was terribly hyperactive. I spent much of fourth grade standing in the hall. I skipped first grade because the teacher of the only class went to the principal at about day two and said “either he goes or I go,” and since I could read I was put a year forward.
I was often sent to the principal’s office, supposedly as a punitive measure of course. But when Mr. Dodd came (around fourth grade for me) everything changed. He had come through a physical education track (as many principals did- they were the only ones with enough time to take the necessary courses). Mr. Dodd realized that I basically did not need school, reading as I did on a high school level. But I was miserable and disruptive. He would take me out and shoot baskets with me, or play catch (something my father never did). I was named the audio-visual person in fifth grade, and raised the flag in sixth. (I am sure due to his recommendations.) That was the first time anyone had put me in a position of responsibility, and I loved doing those things. He was the most memorable and influential educator in my experience.
I have had a successful life and consider Alan Dodd to be one of the most important reasons. How wonderful it is that he is still alive.
Michael Cohen, MD
Neurologist
Fairfax Station, VA
Photographer, Black and White
1966-1967