After spending the 2019-2020 year settling into Albert Einstein High School, Principal Dr. Christine Handy will be departing from Einstein in order to take over as President of the Montgomery County Association of Administration and Principals. This means that this is Dr. Handy’s first and last year serving as a principal at Einstein.

The MCAAP is an employee union that was formed in order to represent the certificated and non-certificated supervisors and administrators throughout MCPS. They help protect professional and employment interests of staff.

“Congratulations to Dr. Christine Handy who will become the President of MCAAP the administrators union effective July 1, 2020. While a loss to Einstein HS I know with her experience Christine will make a difference in her new role,” Board of Education member Jeanette Dixon said in a Twitter message on March 27. This was the first time the Einstein community had heard about the principal’s departure, and many were surprised and disappointed.

“Sure would be nice if Einstein families learned this from Dr Handy directly, and not on a tweet. Poor form,” an Einstein parent said in response to Dixon’s tweet.

Following the miscommunication that resulted in Dixon revealing Dr. Handy’s appointment, Dr. Handy put out a letter confirming her transition next year, saying that she apologizes for the informal statement and that she was happy to work with an amazing community at Einstein. She reminded the students and parents that although she is leaving in July, she is still currently the principal and is ready to help especially during these difficult times.

Board of Education members along with MCAAP members were notified by the executive director of the MCAAP. While it is not known why Handy would prefer to leave Einstein, it is a great loss.

It is the shortest term served as an Einstein principal. Handy had served a lengthy term at Gaithersburg before taking a year off before coming to Einstein to serve as the president of the MCAAP. This means that Einstein will now have to begin the search for a new principal once again. However, the county plans to move swiftly, hoping to confirm a new principal by May 12.