Dorchester County's Innovative Superintendent of Schools: Creating The Right Conditions For Growth

Dr. Jymil Thompson

You'd never expect this.

A county traditionally in the bottom tier (23 out of 24) of testing scores among school systems in Maryland is number one ranked in percent change in reading scores. A new, young Superintendent who has only been in the office for less than a year is the catalyst for the change. It's an unlikely situation for such a good result.

But that is what happened in 2025.

While Dorchester County doesn't rank number one in state test scores, it is number one in ONE in a notable statistic statewide: improvement in reading scores for the district. The county had an improvement of 7.6% in reading in 2025. The closest county to them in that stat was another traditionally low-ranking county, Somerset, who had 4.7% improvement. Other surrounding counties, Talbot (no/negative movement) Caroline (2.4 % improvement), and Wicomico (2.4% improvement) didn't come close.

Dr. Jymil Thompson is the leader of Dorchester's improvement. When he was hired, he adopted the motto "23 no More" a slogan that shows his dedication to getting Dorchester County Public Schools out of Maryland's education system basement.

If you met Dr. Jymil Thompson in public, you might not think he was a school system Superintendent because he is so young and so humble. When we first he served on the Talbot County Board of Education he rarely made public statements. When he did speak, it was impressive how much truth he shared in the midst of the normal school board political ramblings that mean nothing. He was truly an example of someone who doesn't speak often but who should be listened to when he does!

We were fortunate to be able to have an interview with him earlier this Fall.

Thompson, who has been Superintendent in Dorchester County since he was officially hired on May 12, 2024, was not only informative but refreshing in his combination of humility, enthusiasm and energy.

As we started talking, I told him that people are impressed with the job he has done in Dorchester and want to know more about him. He smiled and said, " I like flying under the radar." That might be, but that isn't what happens when you change a system and propel student achievement upward.

Thompson came to the Superintendency in the most interesting way.

After earning an Bachelor of Arts from Penn State, he worked as a social worker in Newark, New Jersey. In that job, he worked in the Child Abuse and Neglect Division. Thompson says that the job taught him so much, but after a while it became too mentally draining, so he left to teach at a special education focused school in D.C. where he learned about individualizing instruction. He also learned that it is very important to give families resources so they can remove barriers to education.

In 2017, Thompson took a position as Assistant Principal position at Mace's Lane Middle School and was promoted to Principal in 2018. In 2023, he returned to Dorchester County as Assistant Superintendent and became Superintendent a year later.

All of these experiences helped shape his approach to education.

Thompson earned his Masters of Teaching Degree at Trinity University, followed by a Certificate of Advanced Studies at Howard University and then his doctorate from Indiana Wesleyan University. He celebrated his doctorate while he was serving as a member of the Talbot County School Board. Thompson says that serving on a school board gave him a completely different perspective on education and its inner workings.

"I may be the only Superintendent in the State that has spent time as a member of a school board," Thompson claims. He is probably correct. " I think it helped me in my current position."

The position of Superintendent of Schools in Dorchester County is a unique one in Maryland.

Dorchester is one of Maryland's smallest counties, 21st in population out of 24 with approximately 33,000 residents. The median age is 43.9 years and the average household income is $60,000 compared to Maryland's $98,000. The population is 61.9% White and 25.3% Black and around 6% Hispanic. It's a small county with a small tax base. A Superintendent in Dorchester needs to do more with less.

This may deter most Superintendents, but not Thompson.

When asked what the "secret sauce" is that caused the great increase in Dorchester's reading scores, Thompson smiled. "It's many things," he stated. "First, we have to have focus on teaching and learning and improving anything that impacts learning like behavior." This is something many classroom teachers say but that is often forgotten by administrations (and rarely said.)

Thompson also focuses on growing administrators and instructional leaders in the system. "The magic happens at the school level." He values accountability all the way up the ladder, not in a punitive way but with support so people can do what they need to do. Thompson says that means he is accountable also.

He often stops into schools and classrooms with no notice so he can see instruction as it actually is, not a lesson planned specifically for a Superintendent's visit. He is often amazed at the energy and innovation.

"I encourage people to think outside the box." he stated with a smile. Perhaps this is expected from a man who was the founding principal of Polaris Village Academy in Easton, a tuition free private school which opened in 2024.

When Thompson was selected for the Superintendent's job in Dorchester, he felt the "mindset had to change."

"The county invested in me," he said, alluding to his opportunity to be Superintendent. Stating that he wanted to provide opportunities for staff, he had many conversations with people about how things should change. "These were not arbitrary meetings, but a chance for me to talk to people and to listen."

The change of reading scores was a combination of high-quality instructional materials aligned to Science of Reading, time spent in reading class, focus on professional development, and an emphasis on teaching and learning "Once a child is behind, we supplement and structure intervention."

While reading scores improved, Thompson admits they are not where they want them to be. After all, there are still only 41.3% of Dorchester's students who met or exceeded expectations on the state tests. And, unfortunately, math scores are even lower at only 16.4%. The system is also tackling that problem.

Schools have implemented what they call the "WIN" period every day. It's twenty to thirty minutes of grade level structured intervention to help students who are behind get what they need. The structure and time vary at each school.

Thompson also believes in giving students many different opportunities both for academics and trade skills such as plumbing, HVAC, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship. They have dual enrollment and advanced placement opportunities to help them "arrive" at the life path they want.

Thompson has a strategic plan for the county. Dorchester's slogan is "Believe in Us!"

When asked about some of his inspiration, Thompson describes books he has read, CONTAGION by Jonah Berger, and TRUST AND ASPIRE by Stephen Covey. He also tells this tale about Death Valley, California.

"Death Valley has its name for a reason. Nothing grows there because it is so dry. It is a brown, barren place. But, 2004 was a year of unusual rain in Death Valley. In 2005, Death Valley was filled with green. Why? Because the right conditions were in place for growth."

And that seems to be what is happening in Dorchester County, Maryland, under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Jymil Thompson.

ADDITIONAL EDITOR'S NOTES: I do many interviews with education leaders. It is rare that an interview is so invigorating, encouraging, and fun! Not surprising since one of Dr. Thompson's other conditions for learning is "joy."

Jan Greenhawk, Author

December 5, 2025

Jan Greenhawk is a former teacher and school administrator for over thirty years. She has two grown children and lives with her husband in Maryland. She also spent over twenty-five years coaching/judging gymnastics and coaching women’s softball.

This article was originally featured on the Easton Gazette.