You’ve seen her walking around the halls, talking to students with an energy level to rival that of Assistant Principal Brenda Wilks. And you’ve also probably complained about the dress code policy which has so stringently been enforced this school year. But have you actually taken the time to get to know Christine Handy Collins, Gaithersburg High School’s newest principal?

Handy Collins, who has been married for a year, considers her family an important part of her life and her achievements thus far. Her mother in Virginia is “very supportive” of her career. You will certainly see her husband alongside her at many GHS events.

In addition to her mother’s support, Handy Collins believes her biggest career influence to be her teachers when she was younger. As an underprivileged student receiving free lunch, Handy Collins “really admired” the teachers who believed in her. This admiration motivated Handy Collins and made her want to give back.

Handy Collins taught a range of special education classes, self-contained and inclusive. After teaching special education classes in Virginia for 10 years, Handy Collins moved up in the education field, becoming an assistant principal in Virginia. She then moved to Washington, D.C. and later Caroline County, Md.

In Caroline County, Handy Collins worked at Colonel Richardson High School for seven years, six of which she served as principal.

Handy Collins is proud of her years at Colonel Richardson, where she says she worked collaboratively with teachers, students and parents to raise student expectations, increase Advanced Placement class enrollment and change the school culture and student mindset. In 2006, Handy Collins was recognized as the Maryland High School Principal of the Year.

As for starting at GHS, she “was expecting the best. After the first day I knew I made the right choice,” Handy Collins said. “The students and staff of GHS have a lot of school pride. The sky is the limit as to where we can go and what we can accomplish. I am looking forward to the ‘spirit of excellence’ that we are focused on.”