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Get to Know Kareem Penn, Assistant Principal, River Hill High School

Why did you choose to work in education?
Education was not my first career choice. I always imagined that I would argue cases as an attorney, serve as a member of Congress, and later hear cases as a United States Supreme Court Justice. But life has a funny way of pointing you where you are most needed, and where you will have tremendous influence and a significant impact on young people's lives, families, and communities. It turns out that need was in the field of education.

I view education as a vehicle on the road to access, opportunity, and choice. Yet, for many young people, the road to these three destinations is met with many obstacles and barriers. As an educational leader, it is my responsibility to help students overcome those obstacles and provide them with the tools they need to break down the barriers they face daily. My goal is to teach students how to effectively use the tools so that they may become more self-sufficient and independent. I hope to provide students with enough exposure to and knowledge of the tools so that they can use them to gain access through the toll booth, continue on the highway of opportunity, and choose their destinations on the road we call life.

photo of Kareem Penn

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
Never not do something because you are afraid to fail. Take risks. Failure will provide you with an answer but regret will always leave you questioning.

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
I love to cook. I love the creativity that cooking allows me to have. My favorite cuisine to cook is Italian food.

What is on your bucket list?
I want to open my own restaurant that specializes in authentic cuisine from all over the world. I would also like to go skydiving.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
If you love history then I recommend the World War II Tour in Europe. I traveled to Caen and Paris, France; Luxembourg, Belgium; and Berlin and Nuremberg, Germany. It was one of the best trips of my life. There is so much history like the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, Pointe Du Hoc, the Beaches at Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, Olympic stadium, and so much more.

What college/university did you attend, and why?
I attended Virginia State University, a Historically Black College and University. I chose VSU because I felt that it provided me with the best opportunities to be successful in life. VSU gave me tools to navigate the world. It helped me see that the world was much bigger than my hometown of Staten Island, NY. I graduated from VSU knowing and believing that I have a place in this world, and whatever role I was going to play was going to be impactful as well as influential.

Electronic sharing best practices

All staff are reminded to NEVER use “Howard County Public School System” or “Anyone with the link” when sharing materials that contain student or staff confidential information such as IEPs. Staff should only share directly with individuals who need access to the documents as part of their job function.

Under FERPA, you cannot share non-directory, PII information without parental consent. Non-directory information is educational records that are more sensitive than directory information, such as social security and student ID numbers, grades, disciplinary history, and attendance records.

When it is necessary to share sensitive and/or confidential data electronically, staff should save the file in a secure location and provide access by granting permissions to only the necessary staff members. At no time should a staff member share confidential data with other people who do not already have access to the same data.

! Call to Action ! Staff can store files in their HCPSS G Suite account and provide direct access to individuals in the intended audience. This procedure allows staff to revoke access to the information when necessary. Review the G Suite Sharing Guide and Electronic Communications Best Practices to learn more.

! Warning !

Sharing files with “Howard County Public School System” makes the file available to all staff and students.
Under FERPA, you cannot share non-directory, Personally Identifiable I information without parental consent.
Staff are reminded to verify intended recipients' email addresses prior to sending emails or sharing files. Staff email addresses can be verified by searching and finding a person in Workday (Workday Search QRC - pdf). Once you have reviewed the staff member’s job title, location and/or picture, click on the email icon under their picture to see their HCPSS email address.
The penalty for non-compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) can be withdrawal of U.S. Department of Education funds from the institution or agency that has violated the law. This applies to schools, school districts, and state education agencies. The Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education, charged with reviewing and investigating complaints, seeks to promote voluntary compliance with the law.

If you have any questions about how to use the sharing permissions in G Suite or using Workday to verify a staff member’s email address, contact Technology Support at techsupport@hcpss.org or (410) 313-7004 option 4.

Staff Focus: Darius Martin, Mail Room Assistant

Darius Martin scans materials in the mail room.

If you work in or have visited the Howard County Public School System’s Department of Education building/Central Office (CO), you probably know or have seen Darius Martin. Martin works in the mailroom, where he meters and records mail and packages, sorts mail for distribution via HCPSS’ pony express system, stuffs and labels materials, operates assorted office equipment (including a web-based package tracking system), and performs other administrative duties. Martin also hand-delivers and collects mail from Central Office staff twice a day.

Martin, who graduated from Wilde Lake High School in 2014, began working at HCPSS in 2015 as part of his enrollment in HCPSS’ Community Connection program, which aims to ease the transition to independent adult life for post-high school students with mild to moderate disabilities. During that time, his supervisor, Dawn Trakney recognized him as a great asset to the mailroom team.

As she recalls, “After his [program] completion in the mailroom, I just couldn’t let him go. I knew he had so much more potential here and I would be able to teach him more.”

Darius Martin collecting mail from Brian Bassett.

Martin subsequently became a full-time HCPSS employee and has become a fixture on the CO scene, working hard to perform his assigned duties and connect with his fellow HCPSS employees over some of his favorite subjects, including the Baltimore Ravens, the TV show DC Comics, and his flag football team, on which he plays running back and wide receiver.

Building those personal connections is what Martin enjoys most about his job at HCPSS.

“I just love talking to people,” he says.

HCPSS’ Director of Multimedia Communications and School Support Emily Bahhar is one of the many people with whom Darius loves to chat.

As she notes, “Darius is a pleasure to work with. He brightens any room with his smile and is an absolute joy to be around. I can always count on Darius for good conversation around football, Star Wars and Marvel movies!”

“Darius is a very pleasant, thoughtful, and caring person,” notes Executive Assistant Carrie Slaysman. “I look forward to hearing about his football season each year. His amazing drawings on pictures and cards are truly treasures. The Central Office is very fortunate to have Darius working with us.”

Darius Martin sorting mail in the Central Office Mail room

Martin also values being able to work as a member of a team in the mailroom, as well as the opportunities he has to continually learn new skills on the job.

Martin’s’ enthusiasm for, and dedication to, his work shines through, says Trakney.

“Daruis [is] a delight to work with. I love his work ethic and his personality. He is kind to everyone and enjoys working here. He is always willing to learn new things and work well with my other special needs students that I get throughout the year. Darius is truly a team player, and I am proud to be his supervisor and friend.”

“Darius always greets you with a smile as he drops off packages and other mail,” adds Alli Whitney, Community and Workforce Engagement Specialist. “I also love the handmade holiday cards he makes. His positive energy is contagious and he is a great asset to the CO staff community.”

Darius Martin preparing to sort an envelop in the Central Office mail room.

Staff Focus: Josh Wasilewski, Principal, New High School #13

When the doors open to New High School #13 for students in August 2023, one of the first smiling faces students will see is that of Principal Josh Wasilewski, who by then will have been waiting an entire year to welcome his students into their new school.

“I can’t wait to welcome students through the door on the first day of school. For these students and families, I want this to be a positive experience and I am excited to work with them to establish our school’s culture, community, traditions, and, most importantly, the school spirit and pride that will infuse everything we do,” Wasilewski said.

Wasilewski, who has been with HCPSS since 2001, brings a wealth of experience to his role as principal of High School #13 (name to be determined), having served as a teacher at Mayfield Woods Middle School, Assistant Principal at Patuxent Valley and Wilde Lake middle schools, and Principal at Murray Hill Middle School and Long Reach High School. Much of Wasilewski’s career has been spent in the eastern portion of the county in the Elkridge, Savage and Laurel areas—it’s a community close to his heart and he’s excited to be part of that community once again.

As a principal, Wasilewski is committed to providing all students with the opportunities, resources and skills needed to excel in a dynamic world. Critical to this vision is creating a culture centered on equity, cultural responsiveness, high-quality instruction and engagement of all members of his school community.

“I have tremendous faith in Mr. Wasilewski and I am thrilled for him to serve as the Principal of High School #13,” said HCPSS Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano. “He was the HCPSS 2019 Principal of the Year because he is a great collaborator and community builder and I look forward to him welcoming staff, students and families for the 2023-2024 school year. This new high school community is fortunate to have the type of inclusive and energetic leadership that Mr. Wasilewski provides.”

Aside from his professional experience, Wasilewski draws on personal experience related to opening a new school. His daughter was one of the first students to attend her high school in Anne Arundel County when it opened in 2020, so he understands firsthand the apprehension—and the excitement—students might feel in coming to High School #13.

Josh Wasilewski meeting with construction workers at new HS#13.

While waiting to learn which families will be attending High School #13, Wasilewski has been working to ensure the school will meet its students’ needs, including plenty of open spaces for collaboration. From meeting regularly with the architect and the builder to make sure the instructional areas were designed correctly, to picking out fabric and ordering furniture for the school, Wasilewski has been busy and often shares photos of the school’s progress on Twitter and Instagram.

In addition to the physical space at the school, Wasilewski is most excited about the chance to build a new community alongside these students and develop a sense of school pride. The students who attend High School #13 will have an opportunity to leave their mark by establishing traditions and helping to choose the mascot. Parents will play a role in establishing traditions, too, by setting up the school’s Parent Teacher Student Association and booster clubs.

Josh Wasilewski and HS#13 Assistant Principal Adrienne Williamsstanding on site of new HS#13.

Wasilewski has messages ready to send to new students and families and has meetings planned for students and parents/guardians to get to know him. Meeting his students and hearing their input, as well as that of their families, will be Wasilewski’s focus over the next several months.

“I’m excited, not just for next year, but for these next couple of months where I can finally meet with students and have them be a part of creating the community at High School #13. I can’t wait to experience all the firsts alongside these incoming classes and most importantly, I can’t wait to see the first graduates from this school walk across the stage when the time comes,” Wasilewski said. “I want students and families to be just as excited about all the possibilities that are waiting for them.”