principal: dr. traci townsend assistant principal ... · pdf fileprincipal: dr. traci townsend...
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Principal: Dr. Traci Townsend
Assistant Principal: Kimberly Heidler
3701 Saul Rd
Kensington, MD 20895
240-740-2200
2017-2018
Inaugural Year
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 2
June 2017
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians, Welcome to Silver Creek Middle School! I know that you are just as excited as I am to begin the new school year. There is so much going on behind the scenes to ensure that materials and equipment are ordered, staff is hired, and the building is ready so that we are prepared to open our doors for the first day of school on September 5, 2017. Our school building will be beautiful with many wonderful features and I am sure that you will love it. However, the most important aspect of a school is the community – the students, parents, and staff that work together each day to ensure that our relationships are strong and that the teaching and learning is of the highest quality. I am so excited about the community that we are building at Silver Creek Middle School. I have had the opportunity to meet our students and I am looking forward to spending quality time with them this coming school year. I have met and spoken with so many parents and I appreciate their dedication and their willingness to help in so many areas to support our school. Finally, our staff is incredible. I believe that we have the best staff in Montgomery County Public Schools! This booklet will introduce you to several members of our staff and tell you a little about each one. I encourage you to reach out to them during the school year if you ever have any questions or require assistance with anything. Each of us is here to help. This booklet also includes our school vision, as well as information about the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). We are officially an MYP school and will be implementing the program for our students. I am truly humbled and honored to be your principal and I am looking forward to an awesome school year!
Sincerely,
Traci L. Townsend, Ed. D.
Principal
Silver Creek Middle School
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 3
Silver Creek Middle School
VISION STATEMENT
Silver Creek Middle School provides each student the opportunity to engage in rigorous
instruction that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving in a collaborative and reflective
environment built upon genuine and meaningful relationships. Our learning environment
cultivates knowledgeable, innovative, and culturally-minded students who are equipped to
lead and make positive contributions to our society.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME
The MYP aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can
empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.
The programme empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of
significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative,
critical and reflective thinkers.
HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E.
Motivated, Open-Minded Visionaries for Excellence
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 4
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 5
ADMINISTRATION
Name Dr. Traci Townsend
IB Learner Reflective, Principled
Position Principal
Education Shenandoah University
Ed. D. School Leadership
Fun Fact I love health and fitness
Quote Your desire to change must be greater than your desire to
stay the same.
Name Mrs. Kimberly (Kim) Heidler
IB Learner Reflective, Caring
Position Assistant Principal
Education Loyola University
M.ED in Curriculum and Instruction
Fun Fact I received my first teaching job offer while on vacation in the
Bahamas.
Quote “Success means doing the best we can with what we have,
reaching for the highest that is in us, and becoming all that
we can be.”
MAIN OFFICE STAFF
Name Mrs. Susan Katz
IB Learner Inquirers, Principled
Position Administrative Secretary
Education University of Maryland
B.A. Communications
Fun Fact I’ve worked in elementary school and high school, but not
middle school.
Quote I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to
the death your right to say it.
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 6
STUDENT & STAFF SUPPORT
Name Ms. Renee S. Hill
IB Learner Reflective, Caring
Position MYP Coordinator
Education Indiana University of Pennsylvania
M. Ed in Elementary Education K-8
Fun Fact I love having cook-off challenges with my 25 great nieces &
nephews
Quote Excellence is not perfection. Excellence is giving your best!
Name Ms. Kimberly Sexton
IB Learner Inquirers, Caring
Position Staff Development, AEIST
Education University of Maryland, College Park
M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction
Fun Fact I have moved 15 times. I spent a whole week with the entire
cast of Baywatch
Quote "We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are." -
Anais Nin
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
Name Ms. Trayce Diskin
IB Learner Reflective, Open-Minded
Position Media Specialist
Education Columbia University, New York
MA in English and Creative Writing & MS Library Media
Instruction
Fun Fact I love to run half marathons, and cook Mediterranean food.
Quote Good libraries build collections. Better libraries build
services. The best libraries build communities. -- Neil Gaiman
Name Ms. Joyce Raynor
IB Learner Open-Minded, Inquirers
Position Media Assistant
Education University of Maryland at College Park
B.A. in Journalism & B.A. in English Literature
Fun Fact I coach my daughter's softball team.
Quote “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” –F. Douglass
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 7
COUNSELING SERVICES
Name Mr. Tim Skillings
IB Learner Reflective, Thinkers
Position 7th Grade Counselor
Education Canisius College
Masters in School Counseling
Fun Fact I like to play video games - right now, Splatoonislife
Quote Believe you can and you’re halfway there. –Theodore
Roosevelt
Name Mrs. Lauren Robinson
IB Learner Caring, Principled
Position 6th Grade Counselor
Education Johns Hopkins University
Masters in School Counseling
Fun Fact I love to dance!
Quote Learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all, have
fun!" Julia Child
Name Mr. Eddy Luna
IB Learner Open-Minded, Communicators
Position Counseling Secretary/Registrar
Education San Carlos University/Guatemala
High School Diploma/College courses
Fun Fact I like soccer and cooking
Quote Live life to the fullest and focus on the positive
ART ✤ MUSIC ✤ WORLD LANGUAGES
Name Ms. Julie Gross
IB Learner Open-Minded, Communicators
Position Content Specialist - Studio and Digital Art
Education Towson University
BS Art Education
Fun Fact I'm a painter!
Quote “Creativity takes courage”- Henri Matisse
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 8
Name Ms. Jessica Snyder
IB Learner
Position Art
Education
Fun Fact
Quote “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more
you have.” Maya Angelou
Name Ms. Ashley Tauber
IB Learner Inquirers, Principled
Position Instrumental and Choral Music
Education University of Maryland, College Park
M. ED in Human Development
Fun Fact I play in a professional saxophone quartet!
Quote "The more I want to get something done, the less I call it
work." - Richard Bach
Name Mrs. Daysi Castro
IB Learner Risk-takers, Caring
Position Spanish teacher
Education Mc Daniel College
M. S. in Curriculum & Instruction, Leadership
Fun Fact I was born in El Salvador
Quote Surround yourself with positive energy, good vibes translates
into good moods and better health all around.
Name Mrs. Roxanne Hodges
IB Learner Inquirers, Caring
Position Teacher: Spanish 1AB
Education Texas A&M University
M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction
Fun Fact I'm from Texas
Quote “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the
changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” Maya
Angelou
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 9
Name Ms. Michelle Miller
IB Learner Inquirers, Communicators
Position French 1 and Spanish 1
Education University of Maryland, College Park
Master of Arts in Teaching
Fun Fact I am a certified Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).
Quote “Always be a work in progress.”
ENGLISH ✤ READING
Name Mr. David O'Shell
IB Learner Balanced, Communicators
Position Content Specialist - Advanced English 7
Education Carlow University
Masters in Secondary Education
Fun Fact I love to play tennis
Quote “Whereas the young - in almost an optical sense - look
forward to life through literature, the old look back at life
through it.” — Roger Shattuck “Proust’s Way”
Name Mr. Matt Chandler
IB Learner Inquirers, Communicators
Position Advanced English 6
Education George Washington University
M. Ed in Teacher Leadership
Fun Fact I was a Rural Education Peace Corps volunteer in DuWatra,
Suriname
Quote "New knowledge is a valuable commodity. The more truth we
have to work with, the richer we are.” -Kurt Vonnegut
Name Ms. Alexia Chatfield
IB Learner Reflective, Principled
Position Grade 7 English Teacher
Education Tulane University
Master's of English Literature
Fun Fact I've been to every continent but Asia and Antarctica
Quote One day or day one. You decide.
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 10
Name Ms. Sarah Gayman
IB Learner Communicators, Caring
Position Advanced English 7; Reading Intervention
Education University of Pittsburgh
Master's EQ Secondary English Education
Fun Fact I love horror movies
Quote "Everyone you meet knows something you don't."
Name Ms. Rachel Mannheimer
IB Learner Communicators, Principled
Position Advanced English 6
Education Penn State University
B. S. in Secondary Education (English/Communications)
Fun Fact This summer I am spending three weeks traveling Europe:
Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague!
Quote “Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads
without improvement are roads of genius.” -William Blake
Name Ms. Sandra Lang
IB Learner Reflective, Caring
Position ESOL
Education Teachers’ College, Columbia University
M.A. TESOL
Fun Fact I lived in the Netherlands for 2 years and taught at an
international school.
Quote “What we learn with pleasure, we never forget.” – Mercier
MATHEMATICS
Name Ms. Jeanni Chin
IB Learner Reflective, Knowledgeable
Position Content Specialist – IM and IM Support
Education University of Maryland, College Park
M. ED Teacher Leadership – Secondary Mathematics
Fun Fact I’ve snowboarded in Canada, France, Italy and Japan
Quote “The future depends on what we do in the present.” Gandhi
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 11
Name Mr. Daniel Ankrah
IB Learner Reflective, Balanced
Position IM and IM Support
Education Loyola University of Maryland
Business Administration
Fun Fact I speak Twi, a language from Ghana
Quote “With Dedication, Hard Work and Determination, whatever
your goal is, you will achieve it.”
Name Mrs. Michelle Marquardt
IB Learner Caring, Principled
Position Math 6
Education McDaniel College
M. ED Administration and Supervision
Fun Fact I have run 12 marathons, including two Boston Marathons
Quote "The more that you read, the more you will know. The more
you will learn, the more places you'll go." Dr. Seuss
Name Ms. Stacy Shiffman
IB Learner Caring, Principled
Position Math 6, IM
Education University of Delaware
Bachelor's in Elementary Education / Master's Equivalency
Fun Fact I'm a huge D.C. sports fan
Quote "Do more of what makes you happy."
Name Mrs. Thea Singleton Alexander
IB Learner Inquirers, Caring
Position Algebra 1, IM
Education Stanford University
M.A. in Education
Fun Fact I was training to be a professional ballet dancer in middle
school & still take open adult classes at Maryland Youth Ballet
when I find the time.
Quote "The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into
windows" - Sydney J. Harris
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 12
HEALTH ✤ PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Name Mr. Jeffrey Herrod
IB Learner Reflective, Caring
Position Content Specialist - PE 6 and PE 7
Education Hood College
Masters Degree in Educational Leadership
Fun Fact My best friend, brother, and I, are all born within 2 days of
each other
Quote "Failing to plan, is planning to Fail!"
Name Mr. Ryan Bingaman
IB Learner Balanced, Thinkers
Position PE and Health, Grades 6/7
Education McDaniel College
Master's Degree in PE/Administration
Fun Fact I can and plan to ride my bike to school some days; I live that
close to the new school!
Quote Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.
Name Ms. Christine Li
IB Learner Reflective, Caring
Position Physical Education Grade 6 and 7 / Health 6 and 7
Education Indiana University
B.S. Kinesiology - Teacher Prep
Fun Fact Went to Houston, TX and had a blast at Superbowl
LI! (brought back a collection of "LI" gear :)
Quote Always Be Kinder Than Necessary
Name Ms. Maura Roddy
IB Learner Inquirers, Communicators
Position Physical Education, Health, and Investigations in Science 7
Education Ohio University and Salisbury University
Masters in Athletic Administration
Fun Fact I know how to juggle.
Quote "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything
new." Albert Einstein
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 13
SCIENCE ✤ TECHNOLOGY
Name Ms. Rosemary McNary
IB Learner Reflective, Inquirers
Position Content Specialist - 7th Grade Science
Education Johns Hopkins University
Master in the Arts of Teaching
Fun Fact I have a twin sister.
Quote Science literacy is the artery through which the solutions of
tomorrow's problems flow.-Neil deGrasse Tyson
Name Ms. Sandra Cornell
IB Learner Open-Minded, Risk-takers
Position Investigations in Science 6
Education George Washington University
MA in International Education; NBCT
Fun Fact I have lived in 8 different countries.
Quote Science. Adventure. Fun!
Name Mr. Andrew Brodeur
IB Learner Open-Minded, Principled
Position 7th Grade Science Teacher
Education Duke University, Loyola College
BS in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy
Fun Fact My fastest mile is 4:06.
Quote Life is about how much you can get hit and keep moving
forward. - Rocky
Name Ms. Lorelei Dinger
IB Learner Open-Minded, Risk-takers
Position 6th grade science
Education University of North Carolina Wilmington
B.A middle grades education, concentrating inscience and
language arts
Fun Fact I am scuba certified and have swum with whale sharks
Quote In the end everything will be OK, so if it's not OK it's not the
end
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 14
Name Mr. Ollie Hardy
IB Learner Reflective, Caring
Position Technology Education: Computer-Aided Drafting and
Design & Applied Robotic Engineering (CADD-ARE),
Information & Communication Technologies Grade 6 (ICT-6)
Education Virginia State University
M.Ed, Technology Education
Fun Fact I used to work as a chef at an NBA basketball camp.
Quote "Do or Do not, there is no try."
WORLD STUDIES
Name Ms. Sharon Fitzgerald
IB Learner Balanced and Reflective
Position Content Specialist – World Studies 6 and 7
Education Teachers College Columbia University
M. ED. Educational Administration
Fun Fact Love Broadway shows and traveling. Recently saw Hamilton
and have plans to travel to Dubai & Egypt.
Quote When students become inquirers through reading, writing,
discourse, media and projects, they are taking ownership of
their education.
Name Ms. Katie Frank
IB Learner Open-Minded, Risk-takers
Position 6th Grade Science and World Studies
Education Towson University
BS Middle School Education: Science and Social Studies
Fun Fact I love cooking and trying new foods!
Quote There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
Name Ms. Christinae Guignard
IB Learner Knowledgeable,
Position 6th Grade World History
Education City University of Seattle
M. ED. Curriculum Development
Fun Fact I worked in leadership roles in sales and marketing for Fortune
500 Corporations in New York. I love to sing.
Quote "Live life as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were
to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 15
Name Mr. William Kavanaugh
IB Learner Reflective, Principled
Position 7th Grade Team Leader and 7th Grade World Studies
Education UMBC
Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies
Fun Fact I love to cook and hangout on the beach
Quote "Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or
predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." - William Faulkner
Name Mrs. Kimberley Lansell
IB Learner Knowledgeable, Principled
Position 7th Grade World History
Education American University
Masters in Secondary Social Studies
Fun Fact I taught U.S.History in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1995.
Quote "Practice what you preach"
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Name Ms. Rebecca Lusman
IB Learner Caring, Thinkers
Position Resource Teacher, Special Education (RTSE)
Education Hofstra University
MS. Ed. in Emotional Disabilities & Elementary Education
Fun Fact I was bitten by a shark while scuba diving.
Quote “Failure is not an option” - Gene Kranz
Name Mr. Ryan Celestino
IB Learner Inquirers, Caring
Position Special Education - Mathematics
Education University of Maryland
M. ED in Curriculum and Instruction - Middle School
Mathematics
Fun Fact I play drums in two bands; a hard rock band and a funk band
Quote “As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses,
for you only get to play one round.” -Ben Hogan
SILVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL HUSKIES ON THE M.O.V.E. 16
Name Amanda Hishmeh
IB Learner Open-Minded, Inquirer
Position Reading and Resource
Education Towson University
M.A. Teaching in Special and Elementary Education
Fun Fact I am proud to say that I have never drank a soda.
Quote “If Plan A fails, don’t give up. You have 25 more letters to go!
Name Mr. Keith Shivley
IB Learner Principled, Caring
Position English
Education Temple University
M. ED. Special Education
Fun Fact I am a life-long Baltimore Orioles fan and share season tickets
with my father.
Quote "Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place -
that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously
acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to
realize the great life. - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Name Mrs. Carmen Romero
IB Learner Communicators, Caring
Position Para-educator
Education
Fun Fact I like to walk in park trails on my free time, listen to music, and
read
Quote "Don't study to earn, study to learn, what you learn today is
who you will become tomorrow."
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Created by: Jeanni Chin