With more than 20 years of experience in education, Lori Beth Pitcock, EdD, is a distinguished educator dedicated to fostering academic excellence and supporting gifted students. Since 2024, Dr. Pitcock has served as the dean of students at Cecil County Public Schools in Elkton, Maryland, a school system with roughly 15,000 students across nearly 30 schools, including 17 elementary schools, six middle schools, five high schools, and one technical school. Her work in this role has been significant in developing programs that enhance student engagement and academic success.
A Passionate Educator
Dr. Pitcock has always been passionate about working with children, shaped by growing up with so many younger siblings. At a young age, she spent time in classrooms with friends whose parents were involved in education in various ways, an experience that allowed her to develop considerable skills in childcare and babysitting. She quickly fell in love with the field of education.
After recognizing her passion for education, Dr. Pitcock pursued multiple degrees, including two bachelor’s degrees and three postbaccalaureate certifications. Additionally, she earned a master’s degree in elementary education curriculum instruction and assessment, with a focus on reading intervention, as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership, from the American College of Education and Towson University. In 2022, she earned a doctoral degree in educational leadership and administration from the American College of Education.
In addition to her extensive academic achievements, Dr. Pitcock has further honed her skills by earning various certifications, including AVID DigitalXP-Elective Coach, AVID DigitalXP Secondary Administrator, and AVID DigitalXP: Elementary 3-6 from the AVID Center.
Before her current role as dean of students, Dr. Pitcock held other roles at Cecil County Public Schools. These positions include serving as a secondary mathematics teacher from 2023 to 2024 and a gifted and talented instructional coach from 2016 to 2023. She also distinguished herself as a special educator, reading interventionist, and general educator from 2003 to 2014. Her time as a coach was notable, as she was responsible for developing a program for gifted students that ultimately earned her the Maryland Gifted Talented Teacher Award in 2018 and 2019.
Additional Achievements
Dr. Pitcock’s passion for education is further highlighted through her membership in various organizations, including the National Association for Gifted Children, International Literacy Association, Council for Children with Behavioral Disability, and National Education Association. She has also shared her expertise, authoring “Teacher Perceptions of Twice-Exceptionality: A Qualitative Study,” which was published by ProQuest in 2022. Likewise, she has served as a peer reviewer for the book “LEAP: Curriculum Design for Teachers of Gifted and High-Potential Students.”
Among her achievements, Dr. Pitcock’s most notable is her extensive educational background. Enhancing her skills, she is learning Spanish to strengthen communication and foster better interactions among her students and within the community. She credits her success to the unwavering support of her family, especially her husband, who has always been supportive and stepped up to help take care of their children.
Dr. Pitcock demonstrates that educators are learners as well, showing students and the community that lifelong learning is vital. She values every experience, believing that each moment is a learning opportunity that offers new perspectives on different people and the community. She advises budding educators to put their best foot forward every day. Looking ahead, she hopes to further advance her career within the school system, aspiring to become an assistant principal and eventually a principal. She remains passionate about supporting students and teachers as they navigate their curriculum.
