Press Release: Kristina Kyles Assumes Leadership of MSDE's Division of Student, Family & School Support

Carol Beck to Lead Office of School Innovations

For Immediate Release                      Contact: William Reinhard, 410-767-0486

Baltimore, MD (July 17, 2014)

The Maryland State Department of Education has added two experienced leaders to its staff.

Kristina Anne Kyles, former principal of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Baltimore City, has joined MSDE as Assistant State Superintendent in the Division of Student, Family, and School Support.  Baltimore nonprofit leader Carol Beck is the new director of School Innovation.

“We are fortunate to have Kristina and Carol join us at MSDE.  Both have broad, relevant experience, and have used performance measures to drive educational results in the communities and schools they have served,” said State Superintendent Lillian M. Lowery.  “The wealth of experience that these new staff members have will enhance our capacity to address the unique needs of students and educators across the State.”

Prior to becoming principal at Dunbar, Kyles co-founded and led Houston Academics, now known as Clear Path Educational Consulting, which assists minority students in gaining access to higher education.  She also has been a teacher and administrator in Massachusetts.  She holds a bachelor’s from Hope College and a master’s in educational leadership from Simmons College.  She is currently a doctoral student at Cambridge College.

Ms. Beck comes to MSDE after serving as the director of Supporting Public Schools for Choice for the past four years.  She has more than 30 years of experience in Baltimore’s nonprofit sector in philanthropy, administration, and program development.  She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University and a master’s from the University of Maryland.

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