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Message from the Principal

Greetings Hornet Nation!

As the proud principal of Great Mills High School, I wanted to take an opportunity to introduce myself. My journey started in a single-parent household, in Michigan, where my mother used sports to ensure I stayed on the right path. Later, I realized that sports could help me navigate life after high school. Through sports, specifically Track and Field, I was able to earn scholarships to pay for my General Associate's Degree from Lansing Community College and my Bachelor of Arts in Youth Services from Western Michigan University. I was the first person in my family to earn an Associate's Degree. Then in December of 2000, I became the first to earn a Bachelor's Degree!

After college, in 2001, I left Michigan to embark on my teaching journey. I settled in Great Mills and began teaching at Holy Angels Sacred Heart School. Three years later, I accepted a Special Education teaching position at Spring Ridge Middle School. Over the next eleven years, while teaching at Spring Ridge, I coached youth and high school sports; I trained student-athletes and share my knowledge of being an NCAA Division 1 athlete. In 2009, I earned my Master of Arts Degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Shortly after that, I became an adjunct professor at the College of Southern Maryland in the Social Sciences Department. During the summer of 2015, I was appointed Assistant Principal at Leonardtown High School. Just two years later, I was awarded the position of Academic Dean of Fairlead Academy I.

Throughout all my experiences, I have truly learned the importance of building relationships with students and their families. I also realized the opportunity I have to help shape and mentor students to achieve their college and career goals. I plan to continue my goal of helping students learn how to use school as a stepping stone to the life they want to live as adults. The more we introduce students to opportunities and help them see themselves in different careers, the engagement and success in the classroom will increase. I want to ensure that students have a personal connection to academics and a positive relationship with the adults that help guide them each day.

Throughout my 21 years in education, I’ve learned that the best interest of students always comes first and that it is not going to look the same for every student. All staff members and students have voices that need to be heard, and every day is a new day as long as we let it. I believe that it is our job as school staff to ignite the passion for greatness that is inside each of our students. I understand that college is a fantastic road to success, but it is not the only road. Providing students with different roads, such as the military, trade schools, or receiving certifications in specific fields all lead to a successful and productive life after high school. My main priority is to make sure that every student graduates from Great Mills High School with a personal success plan for their life. I will always have an open-door policy and be available to listen and help. The students are our future, and as the proud principal of Great Mills High School, I am committed to doing everything I can to help navigate and strengthen each student’s journey during and after high school.
We Are… GREAT MILLS!

Respectfully,
Principal Dothard

Mission Statement

Our mission is to encourage students to become responsible, productive citizens and life-long learners through innovative instruction based on individual needs in a safe and caring environment.