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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.”

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.”

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.”

Why did you choose to work in education?
I "fell" into education. I wanted to be an attorney with the goal of getting my law degree from the University of Baltimore. My plans were to attend school part-time in the evening and work. Someone suggested I teach in Baltimore City to help the teacher shortage. I applied and was hired as a social studies teacher in the Law Related Education program at Lake Clifton Eastern High School. Again, I thought I would teach by day and study law at night. I FELL in love with teaching law to high school students. That moment has led to 30 plus years in education.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
The best advice I received was to "be myself." To show people who I am without negotiating my identity.

What is an unpopular thing that you like a lot?
Board games. I like the game "Sorry" and playing it with my daughters.

What is on your bucket list?
I want to go ziplining and travel to Africa.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
I don't know if "interesting" is the correct word, but the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York definitely is an experience I will never forget.

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.

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.

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.”

After three years as the defensive coordinator for Wilde Lake High School’s JV football team, Chantal Thacker stepped into a new role this year as the team’s head coach. Thacker, who teaches science at WLHS and plays linebacker for the D.C. Divas football team, is the first female head football coach in Howard County.

Learn more about Chantal in this HCPSS feature.

Jeff Fink has been principal of Oakland Mills High School since 2018 and is Howard County’s 2022 Principal of the Year. While Fink’s path to becoming a principal wasn’t straightforward, he draws on his life experience to support his students where they are and push them to succeed.

Read more about Jeff's journey in the latest HCPSS Staff Focus.

The Howard County Public School System is proud to announce its 2022 awardees for Principal and Teachers of the Year:

• Principal of the Year: Dr. Jeffrey Fink of Oakland Mills High School has been named the 2022 Howard County Principal of the Year and a Washington Post Principal of the Year nominee
• Teacher of the Year: Jorden Lim of Long Reach High School has been named Howard County’s 2022 Maryland State Department of Education Teacher of the Year candidate
• Teacher of the Year: Jessica Palad of Pointers Run Elementary School has been selected as a 2022 Washington Post Teacher of the Year nominee

HCPSS Superintendent Michael Martirano surprised each of the three recipients with the news during a visit to their respective schools on April 6. They also will be recognized this spring at a reception with, and at a meeting of the Howard County Board of Education.

Learn more about these outstanding staff online.

Terry Eberhardt has always loved music, from putting on concerts as a child to later singing in school chorus and learning to play various instruments. Eberhardt pursued a dual degree in vocal performance and music education at the prestigious Peabody Institute. After teaching in Montgomery County he went back to school and got a master’s degree in opera performance. 

Having enjoyed teaching so much, though, he wanted to continue working in education and in 2005, Eberhardt became the music teacher at Marriotts Ridge High School. There, he led a number of initiatives, including the school improvement team, family and community partnerships, and Alpha Achievers.

Now, as HCPSS’ Music Coordinator, Eberhardt oversees the music curriculum, events, staff, and budget—a role he loves for a variety of reasons.

Learn more about Terry Eberhardt in this HCPSS Staff News feature.

Six years ago, Oakland Mills Middle School Library Media Specialist Jennifer Hamilton decided to try something new. Instead of purchasing books for the OMMS library, she’d have her students manage it and learn about HCPSS’ book-buying standards and rigorous approval process along the way. Since then, the “book buy project” has evolved into a multi-week activity, spanning multiple content areas and allowing students to earn service-learning hours.

Read more about Jennifer's idea and how it's being implemented at OMMS.

You can find this, and other feature articles on the HCPSS News site.

Originally gravitating toward college students, Diane Moe "fell in love working at the elementary school level" and has since been a school counselor at Jeffers Hill Elementary School for more than 20 years.

"I discovered the incredible opportunity it presented to impact students at a young age and equip them with skills that they could carry with them for a lifetime,” Moe said.

Moe also serves as the chair of JHES’ PBIS Committee, and as a trained intervenor supporting students who exhibit suicidal ideation and consults with colleagues ensuring that families are connected with appropriate resources. 

Learn more about Diane Moe, including hearing directly from Jeffers Hill families on the impact she has had on them in the latest HCPSS Staff News.

Meet Joshua Simmons, the custodian day supervisor at Mount View Middle School. Every day, he and his staff work hard to ensure students and staff have a clean, healthy environment in which to learn and work. From clearing bathrooms and sanitizing lunch tables to helping out with building maintenance requests, Simmons takes pride in all aspects of his job.

Read the latest HCPSS Staff Focus for more.