After an extensive national search for a principal for Jefferson High School, Jefferson County Schools on Friday announced the appointment of Sherry McCall Ross to the position.

According to a press release from Jefferson County Schools, Ross has more than 23 years of experience as a teacher, principal, researcher and Towson University professor.

Dr. Bondy Shay Gibson, superintendent of Jefferson County Schools, chaired the search and interview committee. “We knew from the beginning that we owed the Jefferson community nothing less than our absolute best and that we had to set a high bar for instructional leadership combined with a proven track record of stellar relationship-building skills,” Gibson said. “Ms. Sherry McCall Ross is that caliber of administrator. It was a unanimous decision.”

Ross has served as an educational director and principal of several schools. Currently she is the principal of The Jefferson School, a residential program and day school in Jefferson, Maryland, which is part of the Baltimore-based Sheppard Pratt Health System. Previously she served as principal of the Fairmont campus of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, which is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Jefferson High School community and would like to thank Dr. Gibson and the interview committee for entrusting me with this responsibility,” Ross said. “I look forward to getting to know staff, students, and families and understanding their hopes and needs, and am excited to work with them to build on past accomplishments to grow the school to its fullest potential,” Ross said.

Ross earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of North Carolina in 1991. After spending seven years in the classroom, she earned a Master of Education degree in administration and supervision from Loyola College in 1998. Since then, she has opened new schools and served as a school improvement principal for others within the Maryland juvenile justice system. She also has taught courses for teacher education programs at higher education institutions like Towson University and Hagerstown Community College. She has published research on student behavior and is an administrator in the field.

“While Ms. Ross’ experience and documented instructional performance were what got our attention initially, it was her intense focus on the importance of relationship building as a foundation to all school success that really made her a home run,” Gibson said. “In checking her references we heard repeatedly what a great relationship builder she was and how strong her work ethic and commitment to her children were. That was the clincher.”

Ross will assume her duties as principal Oct. 5. She will replace Dave Rogers, who announced his resignation earlier this year but has remained in the role on an interim basis.