2015 Summer Watershed Institute - Teacher Bios
Third Grade Team
Rachel Carlson - Flora Singer E.S. - Montgomery
"I currently teach third grade at Flora Singer Elementary School. I teach the inclusion classroom consisting of general education and special education students. This is my fifth year teaching third grade and I love it. I teach all subjects, including reading, math, social studies and writing. Next year I will be teaching science and I am hoping the course this summer will better prepare me for my new role. I got married last July 4th and I am expecting my first child in October, so it has been a busy past couple of years. I like the wildlife most about the Chesapeake Bay watershed region. Specifically, I am interested in the restoration efforts to grow the oyster population, which has been declining in the past decades."
Amy Fitzhugh - St. Michaels E.S. – Talbot
"My name is Amy Fitzhugh, and I teach 3rd grade at St. Michaels Elementary School in Talbot County. I grew up in Anne Arundel County and graduated from Severna Park High School. I presently live on a small farm near Secretary, MD, in Dorchester County. I have a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education. I have been teaching in Talbot County for 15 years. I have been married for 10 years and have two children, Hunter age 7 ½ and Victoria age 5. We enjoy walking, biking, hunting, and traveling. I grew up enjoying the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and spent most of my youth hanging out in Annapolis. I like to canoe, kayak, and take boat rides. I also enjoy fishing and eating crabs!"
Colby Gehrig- Chesapeake Charter School- St. Mary’s
"My name is Colby Gehrig. This is my 4th year teaching. I am a 3rd grade math and science teacher at the Chesapeake Public Charter School in St. Mary's County. I teach math and science to a group of 21 students in the morning and then in the afternoon I get the other 22 students in 3rd grade. Our charter focusing on making our students advocates for the environment and much of that in our county deals with the Chesapeake Bay.
We are in the process of writing our own curriculum and are trying to incorporate all subject areas into over arching themes to allow for greater understanding. I am hoping this program gives me materials and ideas to take back to my classroom to eventually develop into material that I can use with my students as a part of our own unique curriculum. One thing I enjoy about the Chesapeake Bay Watershed region is how living in this area naturally encourages my students and myself to be more active and involved with the Bay. There are lots of different activities to do in and around the watershed region and the natural habitat we are exposed to because of it is absolutely breathtaking!"
Michelle Holly - Maryland School for the Deaf - Columbia
Michelle Holly is a third grade teacher at Maryland School for the Deaf in Columbia, Maryland. As an elementary teacher, Michelle integrates technology and hands on explorations into her students’ days as she teaches literacy, math, science, and social studies. When she’s not in the classroom, Michelle can be found hiking, whitewater kayaking, or teaching stand up paddle-boarding lessons on the Potomac. She loves the opportunity to use the beautiful Potomac River, canals, and the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed as a classroom for fitness and fun with students of all ages!
Katie Laing – Kennard E.S. - Queen Anne’s
"I am currently the Special Education Case Manager for the 3rd grade team at Kennard Elementary School. I service 18 students who receive their special education instruction in the general education classroom. My job is to meet the needs of the students’ IEPs, co-plan and co-teach with the classroom teachers, and communicate concerns and/or needs with the parents. I spend the majority of my day in two classrooms focusing on math, science, social studies, and reading/language arts. I enjoy exploring the Chesapeake Bay watershed region through paddle expeditions, checking out unknown creeks and tributaries, viewing plant and animal life, and comparing today’s bay to what early explorer’s found when they first arrived here."
Jessica Leedy - Riverdale E.S. - Prince George’s
"Currently, I am teaching my second (soon to be third) year of third grade at Riverdale Elementary in Prince George County Public Schools. The third grade is currently in transition to departmentalization, which I am very excited about! Before my current position, I taught social studies and science in Virginia. There, my students and I had the opportunity to work with local organizations to experience the Chesapeake Bay first hand. Since this, I have sought out any and all additional science opportunities after witnessing the difference they can make with students. I enjoy the diversity of the Chesapeake Bay watershed region, in regards to types of communities, animal and plant species, and learning opportunities."
Jennifer Meintzer - St. Michaels E.S. - Queen Anne’s
"I am currently a 3rd grade teacher in Talbot County. My school is located in Saint Michaels. In my elementary classroom I cover all subjects, including; math, reading, English, science and social studies. My outside interests include traveling, reading, and science. In regards to science, I am particularly interested in how things work which stems from our students’ curiosity. I love to teach them things of high interest and value. I grew up surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay. I have fond memories of growing up on the Eastern Shore and have vivid memories of many childhood fieldtrips involving the Bay. When I think of the Chesapeake Bay I picture my home and childhood."
Kara Smalley - Galway E.S. - Montgomery
"I teach third grade at Galway Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland. Galway is the largest elementary school in Montgomery County, which means I am lucky to have five wonderful teammates. I teach all subjects to 23 diverse students of all backgrounds and abilities. My favorite subjects to teach are math, science, and general social skills. I was born and raised in the Chesapeake Bay watershed region and love the natural beauty and diversity in the area."
Andria Sorrentino - William Paca E.S. - Harford
"My name is Andria Sorrentino and I work at William Paca/ Old Post Road Elementary School in Harford County, Maryland. I have been teaching for eight years and have taught grades 3 and 4. I teach all the academic subject areas and enjoy creating lessons that are Arts Integrated. I am currently pursuing a degree in STEM through Notre Dame of Maryland University."
Hyunju Woo - Cedar Grove E.S. - Montgomery
I’m currently teaching 3rd grade at Cedar Grove Elementary School. I’ve taught 1st and 2nd graders. This is my 3rd year teaching 3rd graders. I teach all subjects including science. Our Science and Social Studies include units on conservations of environment and resources. When I went on a trip with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, I learned the importance of oysters in our bay. It made me think about my everyday activities and how it impacts the bay.
Fourth Grade Team
Sue Dorsey - Millington E.S. - Kent
"I am a teacher at Millington Elementary School in Kent County. This year I teach grade 4 ELA, Grade 4 Math and Grade 5 Math. I teach at a very small school - we only have 1 grade that will have 2 classes next year so every year our teaching responsibilities change. I have taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grade math for the most part the last 10 years or so - but prior to that taught quite a bit of 3rd and 4th grade Science and I taught middle school Science for three years. Our school system is the smallest in the state, with 1 high school, 1 middle school and 5 elementary schools (although we expect one to close in the coming years). I enjoy living on the Chesapeake Bay because my husband and I love to kayak and take our grandchildren to the beach. We live on 17 acres and our property boundary is a stream that feeds into the Chester River so living on our beautiful property is another thing I love about this area."
David Graham - Matsunaga E.S. - Montgomery
"I am currently a 4th grade teacher at Matsunaga Elementary, in Germantown, MD. I teach all topics and also coordinate / run our Oyster Ball Restoration Project for our six 4th grade classes. This is my 24th year of teaching in Montgomery County Public Schools and I look forward to working for years to come. I very much enjoy teaching and have a passion for The Chesapeake Bay Watershed, which is emphasized within our Ecosystems Unit. The Chesapeake Bay and Watershed offer numerous ways to supplement all topics of instruction and give students a real-life experience of how they can actively make a difference in our community and beyond."
Lizzy Gwathmey-Collins - Maryvale E.S. - Montgomery
"I am a fourth grade French Immersion teacher at Maryvale Elementary School in Rockville, MD. I teach Science, Math, Reading, Writing, and Social Studies, all in French. I love hiking with my dog Coco Chanel, traveling to new places, and baking cookies. I like teaching my students about the Chesapeake Bay because it so close to us and essential to our lives, and I love eating crabs and oysters from the Bay."
Jennifer Howard - Emmorton E.S. - Harford
My name is Jennifer Howard. I teach 4th grade at Emmorton Elementary, a school located in the heart of Harford County, MD. At our school we departmentalize the intermediate grades. I teach math, science, and social studies. I partner with another teacher who teaches the ELA subjects. I love this set up because I get to focus on my favorite subjects all day! I love the diversity in Maryland; the people, wildlife, and landscape!
Jessica Luna - Barnsley E.S. - Montgomery
Hello my name is Jessica Luna and I'm a 4th grade teacher at Lucy V. Barnsley E.S. in Rockville, MD. This is my fourth year as a teacher and teaching 4th grade. I teach all subjects although my two favorite ones are science and math. Outside of school I love spending time with my two and a half daughter and my husband. I love photography and music. What I like about the Chesapeake Bay is having access to water and nature in really close distance. I love how we are only a short drive to the water and we get to experience many different animals at once.
Megan Maletto - Higdon E.S. - Charles
"I'm currently a 4th Grade Teacher at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School in Charles County Public Schools. We are a rural school located on a peninsula, between the Wicomico and Potomac Rivers. I teach Reading, Writing, Math and Social Studies in my inclusion classroom. I also co-teach Science with our science teacher. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I am 4th Grade Team Leader as well as PBIS Team Leader. Although I teach all subjects, Math and Science are my favorite! I also enjoy teaching Social Studies in 4th Grade because we learn about our state's geography and history. What I enjoy most about the Chesapeake Bay watershed region are the memories it has given me: trotline crabbing with my grandfather, fishing with my father and kayaking and paddle-boarding with my husband and daughter."
Katie McKinley - Calvert E.S. - Cecil
"My name is Katie McKinley, and I teach 4th grade at Calvert Elementary School in Rising Sun in Cecil County. I currently teach all subjects, but I enjoy teaching math and science the most. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors walking, hiking, and bike riding with my husband. What I like about the Chesapeake Bay is that it is very diverse; there are many activities that can be enjoyed there, such as boating and swimming, and it is such a valuable natural resource to our area, providing jobs for people and habitats for animals."
Candace Taylor - Kingsford E.S. - Prince George’s
"My name is Candace Taylor and I am a fourth grade teacher at Kingsford Elementary. I teach science, social studies, and health with a STEM approach. I am Kingsford Elementary’s present science chairperson and green team coordinator."
Jeffrey Trachtenberg - Farmland E.S. - Montgomery County
"I have been teaching at Farmland Elementary School in Rockville, Maryland for 16 years. I have taught third grade for 14 years and currently I am teaching fourth grade. At Farmland we departmentalize, in which I teach mathematics and science. There are many aspects to the watershed that I enjoy, but the one part of the watershed that I enjoy the most has to be the unique animals that habitat in these areas (crabs, fish, birds, etc.)."
Dana Troup - Cedar Grove E.S. - Montgomery
"Currently I teach 5th grade at Cedar Grove Elementary School in Germantown, MD. I teach all subjects to 28 students. My favorite subject to teach is math. This year all students received a Chromebook to enrich instruction and that has been quite exciting. Cedar Grove is a certified Maryland Green Ribbon School and I am involved in our green school committee. The one thing that I enjoy most about the Chesapeake Bay watershed is that it’s all around us and anyone can enjoy the many paths, trails, streams and rivers that it has to offer."
Fifth Grade Team
Stephen Biller - Beacon Heights E.S - Prince George's
"My name is Stephen Biller and I teach 5th grade science, social studies, and health in a Title I Prince George’s County Public School located in Riverdale, MD. I am a graduate of the Resident Teacher program in PGCPS and my original degree is in physics. Before becoming an educator I was a chef and was fortunate enough to cook on yachts in the Bahamas, Ft. Lauderdale, and in remote parts of Alaska. I have seen glacier fed bays and rivers, and horribly polluted inner coastal waterways. I understand the importance of protecting our natural landscapes and promote environmental awareness to my students."
Beth Brownley - Kennard E.S. - Queen Anne’s
"I am a third grade teacher at Kennard Elementary in Centreville, MD. I teach Reading/Language Arts, Math and Social Studies. I also teach an enrichment class to fourth and fifth grade students who have been identified as “gifted”. This class focuses on the history and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. I am also our school’s Green Team leader which means I organize many environmentally focused activities for our entire school. I have coordinated many plantings on our campus as well as written grants for our students to go on field trips related to the Chesapeake Bay.
I enjoy boating, kayaking and canoeing on the Bay and its tributaries. My husband and I love to look for Native American and colonial artifacts along the beaches. We almost always have a field guide with us and have learned so much from just getting out and exploring as many little creeks as we can. We like to take our kids on picnic excursions which usually end up by the water somewhere in Kent or Queen Anne’s Counties."
Lisbeth Haarhoff - Grasonville E.S. - Queen Anne’s
"I am a 5th grade teacher at Grasonville Elementary on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I have been teaching at this school for the past 3 ½ years. I teach reading, language arts, math, science and social studies. I enjoy teaching science the most because I am able to touch all of my diverse learners through experimentation, hands-on learning, and exploration. I live on the Chesapeake Bay, feed my family from the Bay, and enjoy activities such as boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, and watching wildlife on the Bay."
Sandra Edmonds - Apple Grove E.S. - Prince George’s
"My name is Sandra Edmonds and I teach 5th grade science in a Prince George’s County Public Schools K-5 building in Fort Washington, MD. I have been teaching for over ten years and am also an Instructional Lead Teacher and Science Department Chair. All of my favorite hobbies take place outdoors! I enjoy visiting our local parks and waterways, especially the Chesapeake Bay, whenever I can. The Chesapeake Bay is very important to me for many reasons. The Chesapeake Bay provides various recreational opportunities, as well as a habitat for thousands of wildlife species. Whether I’m boating, fishing, or just enjoying the fantastic view, the Chesapeake Bay continues to be an important asset to the Mid-Atlantic Region."
Mari Hornyak-Haynes – Cedar Grove E.S. – Montgomery
"My name is Mari Haynes and I am a Staff Development Teacher at Cedar Grove Elementary School. Cedar Grove is really proud to be a Maryland Green Ribbon School and our staff works hard to maintain the certification. I love being able to work with all of the awesome teachers in the building, planning for each of the subject areas K-5. I get to see the many connections between the curriculum and saving the bay across the grade levels. I LOVE living in Maryland with all of its beauty! I heard someone at some point describe the state as "Miniature America" and think it's the perfect name for all of its beauty and diversity! I am originally from Erie, Pennsylvania but now I live with my husband and 3 daughters in the small town of Poolesville which borders the Potomac River. We spend a lot of time outdoors on the C&O Canal and the Potomac River. But, we also love camping, horses, running, and watching the girls play their many sports. I am looking forward to this opportunity!"
Melissa Keys - Calvert E.S. - Cecil
I am a Gifted and Talented Instructional Coach at Calvert and Gilpin Manor Elementary Schools for Cecil County Public Schools. I have worked for CCPS for 12 years in 2nd-4th grade. I am a math curriculum writing team member for fourth grade and a social studies curriculum writing team member. I am also a representative for the Common Core/Educator Effectiveness Academies to plan and deliver professional development for staff members. My husband and I along with our two sons enjoy summer hikes near the rivers and streams in the region followed by a meal with fresh steamed crabs.
Katie Mahar – Rock View E.S. – Montgomery
"Hello fellow colleagues! My name is Katie Mahar and I currently teach a combination, self-contained special education class (grades 4 and 5) at Rock View Elementary in Montgomery County Public Schools. I teach all subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities ranging in ability level. My students are included in the general education classrooms for science and social studies instruction. My interests outside of school include reading, visiting the Jersey shore, exercising with my dog, and spending time with my family and friends. My favorite part about the Chesapeake Bay is that it is supporting about 3,600 species of plant and animal life!"
Tarra Heasley - Higdon E.S. - Charles
"My name is Tarra Heasley. I am the 3rd-5th grade Science Teacher at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School in Charles County, MD. Each class comes to the Science Lab twice per week where I implement Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This year I also had the opportunity to become the teacher-sponsor for the 5th grade Save the Bay Robotics Challenge held by the National Defense Education Program (NDEP). The students participate in three challenges: a technical challenge, a robotics mission challenge, and a research challenge related to the Chesapeake Bay. Since my school and my home are near the Potomac River, many people in the area depend upon the Chesapeake Bay Watershed region for their livelihood. In this watershed region, I enjoy going to the beach with my family, finding sea glass, flying kites, boating and going fishing."
Billy Richardson - Grasonville E.S. - Queen Anne’s
"I am a 5th grade teacher at Grasonville Elementary on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I have been teaching at this school for the past 10 years. I teach reading, language arts, math, science and social studies. I am also the lead teacher for the GRACIE Project. Through the GRACIE Project we have been able to become a Green School and built several partnerships with local environmental organizations. One of the things I enjoy about the Chesapeake Bay area is its rich history from the small towns like St. Michaels to the larger cities of Annapolis and Baltimore."
Joanne Robbins - Georgian Forest E.S. – Montgomery
"I am currently a Kindergarten through fifth grade STEM teacher at Georgian Forest Elementary, a Title 1 school. I see each student once a week because STEM is a special. I collaborate with each grade level team to incorporate hands-on components of our county’s science curriculum that they may not get to as well as present students with engineering design challenges that correspond to their Science learning. I love my job even though it is very challenging! I am excited to learn more about the Chesapeake Bay watershed region so I can share it with my 4th grade students as they experience right in their community."
