It all started with a phone call from my Executive Director, Ms. Lamis Srour, asking me to call her back when I was alone in a room. My heart immediately started racing. My mind quickly wandered. Did I do something wrong? Why does she need to speak to me privately? I dropped everything, walked into my office, and let her know I was ready to call.
When I got her on the phone, I asked if everything was okay. Her response changed everything.
“Maha … what do you think about us nominating Mark Rummel for the MASSP Principal of the Year?”
Without hesitation, my response was immediate: “Oh my God… YES. So incredibly deserved.”
And I meant every word.
Mr. Rummel’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to students, staff, and community made this an easy “yes.” We immediately began creating a plan, gathering materials, and moving through the application process. What stood out most was how naturally people stepped forward. Every person we reached out to was eager to write, support, and celebrate strong leadership. The process felt seamless because it was built on authentic relationships and genuine respect.
What I didn’t know … was that while I was helping celebrate someone else, people behind the scenes were quietly doing the very same thing for me.
On October 30, we were called to the atrium under what seemed like an emergency walkie call by our office manager. As we walked in, we were met with balloons, cameras, district administrators and a crowd of familiar faces. I was overwhelmed with excitement, convinced we were there to celebrate Mr. Rummel becoming MASSP Middle School Principal of the Year.
And then came the surprise of a lifetime.
For the first time in MASSP history, two winners from the same building were recognized. Mr. Rummel was announced as MASSP Principal of the Year and to my surprise I was announced as the MASSP Assistant Principal of the Year.
The room erupted with celebration. I looked around and saw my husband, my children, colleagues and supporters. But one thing immediately stood out … my parents were NOT there!!
In that very moment, excitement and uneasiness collided inside me.
My parents never missed these moments. What could have happened?
Shortly before this celebration, my mother began experiencing severe pain that led to hospitalization. Within days, our lives changed forever when she was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer.
What should have been one of the happiest celebrations of my professional career suddenly became a waiting game filled with fear, uncertainty and heartbreak.
My mother was my number one supporter, my role model and the person who saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. She was my motivator, my encouragement, and the reason I strive daily to be the educator and leader I am today.
But my mother was not only my role model as a parent, she was also an educator for 30 years.
The person who spent her life supporting me now needed my support.
During this season, our O.L. Smith school motto “It takes a village” was no longer simply words, it became our reality.
My Viking village showed up.
The O.L. Smith staff, our students, families, and community surrounded me with unwavering love, encouragement, and support. The compassion demonstrated during my mother’s battle reminded me exactly why our school community is extraordinary. The O.L. Smith community truly lives its values.
Vikings Lead. Vikings Do.
We step up.
We rise.
We help.
We support.
We ensure our village stays strong.
The love that was poured into me during one of the most difficult seasons of my life is the exact reason our school community is so special.
Two months into this battle, my mother passed away. 🙁
The woman who was so proud to know her daughter was the MASSP Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year was no longer physically beside me, but I know she continues celebrating from above.
Knowing how proud she was makes this recognition even more meaningful. Although she could not physically attend the Washington, D.C., recognition conference, I carried her with me every moment. Her spirit, her lessons and her unwavering belief in education traveled with me every step of the way.
When the Washington, D.C., recognition trip approached, I struggled with whether I was emotionally ready to go. Grief made everything feel like one step forward and two steps back.
But attending the NASSP Recognition Conference was exactly what I needed.
The positivity, inspiration and energy were powerful. Being surrounded by administrators from across the country, leaders with the same passion, same dedication, and shared commitment to students was both refreshing and healing. Listening to different perspectives, connecting with inspiring educators and being celebrated by NASSP leadership created an experience I will never forget.
Sharing this journey with my administrative partner Mark Rummel, our spouses Ali Fayad and Kelly Rummel, made it even more meaningful. It was an opportunity to pause and recognize the hard work, sacrifice and heart that school leadership requires every single day.
Growing up, my parents intentionally named all five of their children with the letter “M.” From each of my siblings, Manal, Mounir, Malik, Mohamed, I have learned something meaningful. Together, we were raised with a foundation rooted in family values, hard work, dedication, hospitality, love, support and service.
Those same values shape the way I lead my family and the way I lead within our O.L Smith school building.
How fitting that my administrative partner, Mark Rummel, shares not only those same core values, but also a name that starts with the letter “M.”
The dynamic duo – M&Ms, Mark and Maha – have intentionally worked to create a culture rooted in positivity, support, service and students first. A culture where people feel valued, where relationships matter and where leadership means showing up for one another.
The NASSP Washington D.C. experience was more than a recognition trip.
It was restorative.
It was rewarding.
It was uplifting.
It was healing.
It reminded me why we do this work.
It strengthened friendships, created meaningful connections and renewed my purpose as a leader.
Most importantly, it reminded me that leadership is not about titles or awards. It is about people, relationships, community and carrying forward the values instilled in us by those who shaped our lives.
My mother’s legacy as an educator, my family’s foundation, my village and our school community continue to guide me.
And for that, I am forever grateful.
Thank you to the dedication of all the MASSP and NASSP board members for putting together an extraordinary event and thank you to all who believed in us and nominated us for this humbling recognition.
Know an exceptional school leader who goes above and beyond? Nominate them for an MASSP Administrator of the Year award! Recognize and celebrate your principal or assistant principal for their leadership and dedication to student success.
2027 applications are due September 11. Find more details and access nomination forms at https://massp.com/PotY/