Maryland Learning Links

Blogs

Each Maryland Learning Links' channel includes a Blog feature where contributors offer commentary on relevant topics. Learn more about the current contributors to Maryland Learning Links and the topics they explore.

Join In

You are invited to comment on specific blog postings or participate in community discussions around specific topics. Discussion forums are founds within each Maryland Learning Links' channel.

Current Contributors

 
Jamie Aliveto is currently the Principal at Walkersville Middle School in Frederick County, Maryland. While she is committed to providing the best middle school experience for all 800 of her students, she has a special passion for quality programming for special needs' students. She was recently awarded with Outstanding Special Education Administrator of the Year with Frederick County Public Schools. Follow Jamie in the Leadership channel of Maryland Learning Links as she shares her experiences as an educator and school administrator.

Marty Brennan has been a member of the Wilde Lake High School community for ten years. She was the proud class sponsor of the class of 2005, has coached J.V. and Varsity girls’ lacrosse for the past eight years, and is currently helping with the afterschool tutor and enrichment program, Bridges Over Wilde Lake. She has a B.A in English, a Master's in Curriculum Instruction and has recently completed her Administration Certification. Marty is currently serving as the English Instructional Leader for the English department. Follow Marty as she shares her co-teaching experience through the Individualized Education channel.

Hanne Denney proudly serves as the Special Education Department Chair at Southern Middle School in Anne Arundel County. Hanne changed careers to become a special educator and believes that change occurs through communication and courage. Explore the field of education with Hanne through her blog within the Professional Practice channel.

 
Christie Flayhart is currently a Special Education Instructional Coordinator in Frederick County, Maryland. While she works with families, teachers, administrators, and community members to support the instructional needs of students with special needs, her passion is providing a universally designed framework for instruction that meets the needs of ALL learners within the general education setting. She has presented at the local and state level on the topic of Universal Design for Learning. Christie has Bachelor’s Degrees in Elementary Education and Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Special Education, and Graduate Certification in School Administration and Supervision. Follow Christie through the Individualized Education channel.

 
Ashanti Foster is a school administrator and National Board Certified Teacher who is a proud product of the Prince George's County Public Schools system. In addition to serving as Academic Dean, she also is AVID Coordinator at Oxon Hill Middle School, national staff developer and mentor.  Ashanti uses her lenses as PTA President and school leader to facilitate small group roundtables and webinars. Recently she completed extensive post-graduate work and her dissertation on college and career readiness in Maryland.  She has matriculated at Morgan State University, Bowie State University and George Washington University. Ashanti is a community leader, wife and mother of six children who has joined forces with her husband, also an Assistant Principal, to host a weekly radio talk show entitled, The Family Dinner. Her blog, "It Takes a Village" can be found in the Family and Community channel.

 
Jane Jung-Potter  is the Physical Therapy Program Head under the Department of Special Education in the Howard County Public School System.  She obtained a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Columbia University and a Graduate certification in School Administration and Supervision from McDaniel College.  She is currently working toward her Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University.  For the past 18+ years, Jane has worked with a variety of students with multiple disabilities from birth-21 years of age.  She is Co-Chair of the Maryland OT/PT Steering Committee, which is working steadily toward providing leadership and support for therapists functioning in the school systems throughout Maryland.  Explore the field of school physical therapy with Jane through her blog on the Individualized Education channel.

 
Teri Lienhard has been a teacher for 13 years and a member of the Wilde Lake High School community for seven years. As a classroom teacher, Teri is part of the ninth grade team and a case manager in the building for students in Special Education. She is dual-certified in English and Special Education. Teri began her teaching career in a non-public level-five school before becoming a co-teacher in the English department at Wilde Lake High School. Follow Teri and her views as a co-teacher and educator through the Individualized Education channel.

Tori Marchese, PT, Ph.D. is a consultant for Johns Hopkins School of Education, Center for Technology in Education (CTE). She has 20 years of pediatric physical therapy experience, authored book chapters, and is a tenured associate professor. Tori has devoted her research career to the development of assessment tools and intervention strategies for children with cancer to achieve the highest level of participation at home and school. Tori’s latest work brings together her love of her own five year-old daughter and her training in maternal and child health, as she helped start an early childhood learning center. Follow Tori's blog on the Individualized Education channel.

Deb Marcus is a physical educator at Marley Glenn School, one of Anne Arundel County's public schools. Marley Glenn serves children with special needs ages 3 – 21.  Deb has been a member of this community for 14 years during which time she was named the Maryland - AHPERD Adapted Physical Educator of the Year in 2012. Deb was also a finalist for Teacher of the Year in 2011. She has been married for 18 years to Mike Marcus and has one awesome son, Jake.  Follow Deb's blog on the Individualized Education channel.

 
Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, Ph.D. (@kristie_pf) spent 16 years in higher education as faculty at Kent State University (KSU) and served as an applied researcher, evaluator, and trainer in early childhood intervention. She also served as the principle investigator on several federally funded research, model demonstration, and personnel preparation training grants. Currently, as owner of B2K Solutions℠ Ltd., Kristie extends her expertise as a trainer and coach to those who serve children with diverse abilities. Kristie has presented to interdisciplinary audiences in countries such as Singapore and Australia, as well as to providers in virtually every state in the US on topics including tiered instruction, authentic assessment, IFSP/IEP development, and universal design for learning. Kristie is a Past President of the Division for Early Childhood, serves as a co-advisor for 10 doctoral students at KSU, and works daily to champion for children, their families, and the providers who serve them.  Follow Kristie on the Early Education channel.

Rebecca Simon earned a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on Elementary Education from the University of Memphis. She lives in Baltimore with her son who has high-functioning autism. Rebecca teaches in a private school in Baltimore County. She is a certified SMART Technologies trainer for SMART Notebook and Response software. She uses her passion for technology to enhance her son's and students' educational experiences. Follow Rebecca and her tips as a parent and educator through the Family and Community channel.

Chris Swanson is a faculty member with the Johns Hopkins School of Education, Center for Technology in Education (CTE). He directs the Center’s early childhood, assistive, and instructional technology work. Chris is a former classroom teacher, central office resource specialist, professional development director and virtual-school principal. He has worked with all types of children, including his own, but his passion is helping individuals on the autism spectrum. His dissertation research focused on applications of online virtual social skills therapy for adolescents with autism, and he is a graduate level instructor in courses focused upon autism and behavior management. Follow Chris through the Family and Community channel.

For the past 15 years, Mark Trexler has worked for Kennedy Krieger Institute’s high school, helping students with disabilities develop vocational skills in the community. In order to gain further support for those career industry programs, Mark writes grants and seeks business partners to employ and help train students for a productive future. Currently, Mark is in his fifth year of doctoral candidacy at Johns Hopkins University and completing his dissertation about work-based learning for students with disabilities. He is examining the transference of classroom-learned workplace skills into the working community. When he is not at work or school, Mark is a Cycling coach for Special Olympics Baltimore County. Follow Mark's commentary through the Individualized Education channel.

Brad Weiner is an Adapted Physical Educator in Prince George’s County Public Schools. He is nationally certified in Adapted Physical Education and has accomplished the Early and Middle Childhood Physical Education national board teaching standards process. Brad is committed to supporting students, parents, teachers, and the community at large in leading active healthy lifestyles. To accomplish this goal, he volunteers with the One World Center for Autism Inc., Camp Abilities Maryland Inc., and Special Olympics. Brad attends local, state and national conventions and has recently been elected as the secretary for the National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities. Throughout Brad’s career he has worked with children in the infant and toddler program, preschool program, elementary and high school age programs. Brad has serviced children with a wide range of ability levels. He was awarded Maryland's Adapted Physical Education teacher of the year in 2012 and is honored to blog with you about subjects related to Adapted Physical Education on the Individualized Education channel.

 
Tonya Wright has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. She completed her undergraduate work in early childhood education and psychology and received her Master’s degree in education. Tonya has worked as a classroom teacher and as an Assistant Director and Director of child care programs serving children from birth through third grade. Tonya is currently a staff member at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, Center for Technology in Education where she is an Early Childhood Project Manager. She believes in the power of early literacy, the importance of play, the thrill of technology, and the magic of the early years. Follow Tonya on the Early Education channel.