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Dr. Jessica Reinhard, Supervisor
301-696-6901
301-644-5139 (fax)
Education
Dr. Reinhard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education: English from Frostburg State University and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Additionally, Dr. Reinhard earned her Maryland State Department of Education Gifted and Talented Specialist Certification through the University of North Georgia. She completed her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction at Frostburg State University. Her dissertation focused on the knowledge and application of gifted education pedagogy in the classroom.
Background
Dr. Reinhard’s career began as a middle school English language arts and reading teacher in Rogers, Arkansas. Upon her return to Maryland, she began a 17-year career with Washington County Public Schools by teaching one year of High School English at Hancock Middle-Senior High School before spending three years as the Literacy Student Achievement Specialist at E. Russell Hicks Middle School. She then moved to the district level to serve as the Coordinator of Secondary English Language Arts for almost two years prior to her appointment as the Supervisor of PreK-12 Advanced Programs for 11 years. Dr. Reinhard’s passion for the education of students with gifts and talents extends to collaborative work at the state level.
Kelli Smith
Teacher Specialist (Elementary)
301-696-6891
301-696-6954 (fax)
Mrs. Kelli B. Smith joined FCPS in 2001 after several years teaching middle school in St. Louis, Missouri. Before joining the Advanced Academics department, she spent most of her FCPS years teaching at Centerville Elementary School focusing her efforts on helping to meet the needs of highly-abled students. She has also worked with the Professional Development team as a Third Grade Master Teacher/Mentor for new hires. In 2017, she was a top three finalist for Frederick County Public School Teacher of the Year and the following year she was awarded with Frederick County Public School’s Washington Post Teacher of the Year. In 2020, Kelli was awarded an Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education Award from the Maryland GT Advisory Board. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geo-Environmental Studies and Education, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and has earned her Maryland Gifted and Talented Education Certification through McDaniel College’s Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES) Program.
Mrs. Smith is the 11-month elementary Advanced Academics teacher specialist and serves all elementary schools in FCPS.
Nicole Paris
Teacher Specialist (Secondary)
301-696-6891
301-696-6954 (fax)
Mrs. Nicole Paris came to FCPS in 2004 after teaching in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University and her Master of Science in Math Education from Towson University. Nicole is certified in Grades K-12 Mathematics, Grades 1-6 Elementary Education, Administration, as well as having the MD Math Specialist endorsement. She also earned National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Mathematics in 2008 and renewed that certification in 2018. She completed the McDaniel GATES Certificate Program and holds Maryland Certification in Gifted and Talented Education.
Prior to joining the Advanced Academics department Mrs. Paris was a middle school math teacher for 20 years, and most recently the Hillcrest intermediate math specialist for the last 5 years. Mrs. Paris has had opportunities to work with MSDE to conduct assessment items reviews, rangefinding, curriculum writing, and curriculum vetting. She was also an MSDE Master Teacher for the Educator Effectiveness Academy and Virtual Academy, a MSDE Governor’s Academy facilitator, as well as a co-founder and facilitator of the MSDE/MCTM Elementary Teacher Summer Academies. Mrs. Paris was chosen as the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2009. During 2021-22, Mrs. Paris served as an Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist, supporting several schools in Frederick County
Mrs. Paris is the 11-month secondary Advanced Academics teacher specialist and supports all middle and high schools in FCPS.
Jera Aurand
Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist (10 month)
Ms. Jera Aurand joined FCPS in 2019 after teaching in New York City where she taught in both Title 1 schools and a Gifted and Talented school. During those years she taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. While teaching in NYC, she completed a Teaching Leadership Program and worked closely with school-based leadership teams. Ms. Aurand also participated in Writing Workshop courses through Columbia University. She joined Walkersville Elementary school in 2019, in a welcomed move to be near family.
Ms. Aurand attended West Chester University and earned a bachelors in arts in Communication Studies, and a minor in Graphic Design. She quickly realized her passion was in education and earned her elementary teaching certification at Wilson College. After beginning her first teaching position in Anne Arundel County, she pursued her master’s degree in Special Education from University of Maryland. Ms. Aurand has completed Administrative Leadership Certification through Hood College and served as an acting assistant principal at Walkersville Elementary while she was completing this master’s level work.
She has participated in Confratute, a nationally recognized conference for gifted and talented education and research, hosted by the University of Connecticut. She was also a presenter at the 2023 Maryland Educators of Gifted Students (MEGS) conference. She joined the elementary Advanced Academics team in 2022 and supports Glade, Lewistown, New Market, and Walkersville Elementary Schools.
Anna L. Gurnett
Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist (10 month)
Mrs. Anna Gurnett joined FCPS in 2012 after working in Virginia and New York in both special education and as a 3rd grade teacher. In her ten plus years here in FCPS she has worked at New Market Elementary School in various capacities. She has been a 4th and 5th grade magnet teacher, STEM leader, School based Advanced Academic Specialist, and Reading and Math interventionist. Anna has worked to create curriculum for both the STEM and Advanced Academic office during the summers.
In 2016, Mrs. Gurnett received the Maryland Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education Award. In 2021, she was nominated for the Charles Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award. Anna holds her Bachelor of Science Degree from State University of New York (SUNY), College at Brockport in Arts for Children. She earned her master’s in Education in 2009 from Nazareth College of Rochester in Elementary and Special Education.
In 2014, Mrs. Gurnett participated in the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) conference in Baltimore. She has participated in numerous Maryland Educators of Gifted Students (MEGS) conferences. She was a presenter at the 2023 MEGS conference. During the summer of 2021 and 2022, Mrs. Gurnett participated in the University of Connecticut Confratute Gifted and Talented Convention. She is currently enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES) program through McDaniel College. Mrs. Gurnett currently serves as an Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist supporting several schools in Frederick County: Centerville, Green Valley, Kemptown, Sugarloaf, and Urbana Elementary Schools.
Adele Gupta
Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist (10 month)
Mrs. Adele Gupta has been employed by FCPS since 2000 after beginning her career in Montgomery County Maryland. She joined the Advanced Academics Team in 2018 as a school-based Advanced Academics Specialist. She has also taught students in the second and fifth grade Magnet Program, second grade, and reading and math intervention.
Mrs. Gupta earned her Bachelor of Science from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in Elementary Education and Special Education. Her senior year, she received a Tennessee State Education Award for Exceptional Work with Children with Special Needs. She continued her educational career at Hood College receiving a Master of Science in Reading Specialization. After receiving her master’s degree at Hood, Mrs. Gupta continued as an adjunct professor in the Education Department. She is now pursuing a Gifted and Talented Specialist Certificate from McDaniel College leading to state certification in Gifted and Talented Education.
In 2005 Mrs. Gupta was a finalist for the Frederick County Public School Teacher of the Year Award. That same year, she received the Charles Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award. In 2022 Mrs. Gupta was a recipient of the Maryland Outstanding Educator in Gifted and Talented Education-Teacher as Leader award.
Mrs. Gupta is currently an Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist supporting several schools throughout the county: Blue Heron Elementary, Myersville Elementary, Middletown Elementary, Middletown Primary, and Valley Elementary Schools.
Briannin Howard
Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist (10 month)
Mrs. Briannin Howard joined FCPS in 2016 after graduating with her master’s degree in education. She started her classroom career at Deer Crossing Elementary, teaching grade 5 and grade 1, as well as serving as a team leader, school improvement member, STEM club leader, and tutor. In 2021, Mrs. Howard was hired at a new elementary school, Blue Heron, where she taught first grade, served as team leader, school improvement chair, and was an administrative intern.
Mrs. Howard earned her Bachelors of Science degree from Frostburg State University in May 2015. She went on to receive her Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education from Frostburg State University in May 2016. Mrs. Howard continued her education with aspirations for future school leadership at Hood College earning a Educational Leadership Certificate in May 2022, after completing her internship during the 2021-2022 school year.
During the summer of 2022, Mrs. Howard participated in the nationally recognized gifted and talented education conference: Confratute at the University of Connecticut. She also participated in teaching the Young Scholars Program at Hillcrest Elementary and currently serves as its Young Scholars Advisor.
Mrs. Howard supports the following schools as an Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist in Frederick County: Hillcrest, Spring Ridge, and Tuscarora Elementary Schools.
Teresa A. King
Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist (10 month)
Mrs. Teresa King has been employed by FCPS since 2007, but she has been in the teaching profession since 1991. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from UMCP in 1991, then began her career teaching PreK/Head Start in Prince George’s County until she moved to Indiana where she continued working with this age group for an additional four years. Once she returned to Maryland, she worked on and earned her master’s Degree from Towson University as a Reading Specialist while she stayed home and started a family. In 2007, she moved to Frederick County where she joined the Advanced Academics team and taught at New Market Elementary spending most of her years there teaching the third grade magnet program with a few years teaching a two/three split or a four/five split. During this time she earned her certification in Elementary Education.
In October 2020, Mrs. King participated in the Maryland State Conference on Gifted and Talented Education. In February 2021, she received the Outstanding Educator in Gifted and Talented Education-Teacher as Leader award, she participated in the National Curriculum Networking Conference hosted by the William and Mary Center for Gifted Education in March 2021, and she participated in Confratute sponsored by UConn during the summer of 2022. Mrs. King began her role as an Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist in 2020 and currently supports the following Frederick County elementary schools: Oakdale, Orchard Grove, Deer Crossing, Twin Ridge and Liberty.
Patrick Lucas
Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist (10 month)
After a brief career in Business Management, Mr. Patrick Lucas has been employed by FCPS since 1996. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources, an M.S. in Elementary Education from Western Maryland College, and an M.S. in Educational Leadership from McDaniel College. He is currently pursuing a Gifted and Talented Specialist Certificate from McDaniel College leading to Maryland certification in Gifted and Talented Education.
Mr. Lucas began his career as a 4th grade teacher and joined the Advanced Academics team in 2005 as a 5th grade magnet teacher. In 2011, he became a school-based Advanced Academics teacher specialist at Hillcrest Elementary School, serving students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Patrick has worked with the Young Scholars Program since it began in 2011. In addition, he received the Outstanding Educator/Teacher Leader Award from The Maryland State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education and the Maryland State Department of Education in 2018. Mr. Lucas currently serves as an Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist, supporting several elementary schools in Frederick County: Monocacy, Waverley, and Whittier.
Debra McClanahan
Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist (10 month)
Ms. Debra McClanahan is a Maryland native who started her teaching career in the private school sector. After teaching at both the elementary and middle school levels, Ms. McClanahan accepted a teaching position with FCPS in 2015 at Oakdale Elementary School. She has taught a wide range of grades and ability levels. Debra graduated from UMBC with a degree in History and Elementary Education and then went on to Loyola University of Maryland to receive a master’s degree in Literacy. She continues to broaden her knowledge base by attending research based conferences and is currently taking classes focused on Gifted and Talented learners and instruction through McDaniel College, seeking Maryland Gifted and Talented Certification.
Ms. McClanahan joined the Advanced Academics department in 2022, and is currently serving as an Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist for Emmitsburg, Thurmont Primary, Thurmont Elementary, Wolfsville, and New Midway/Woodsboro Elementary Schools.
Kevin Meadows
Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist (10 month)
Mr. Kevin Meadows started his teaching career with Frederick County Public Schools in 2005. After serving as an Elementary Visual Arts teacher for two years he went on to a variety of teaching positions in Namibia, Costa Rica, China and in the Baltimore area before returning to FCPS in 2019. For three years he served as a Program Specialist for STEAM, Arts Integration and Advanced Academics at Butterfly Ridge Elementary School. He also served as the Title I Coordinator and Assistant Testing Coordinator.
Mr. Meadows holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the Maryland Institute College of Art as well as a Master of Science in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University.
Mr. Meadows is currently serving as an Elementary Advanced Academic Teacher Specialist for Butterfly Ridge, Lincoln, North Frederick and Parkway Elementary Schools.
Justin Ridenour
Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist (10 month)
Mr. Justin Ridenour started his teaching career in 2015 in Berkeley County, West Virginia as an elementary teacher. He has been employed by FCPS since 2018, where he served as a middle school Science teacher at Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School. During his time at Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School, he served as Science department chair and School Improvement chair. He joins his colleagues on the Advanced Academics team in 2022.
During the summers between 2013-2018, Mr. Ridenour served as a consultant and Early Literacy Coordinator for University Pals under Dr. Kristine McGee at Frostburg University in Hagerstown, MD. At GTJMS, he served as the Elevate Coordinator for three years during the summer of 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Mr. Ridenour earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 2015 from Frostburg State University. His background is in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. After completing this degree, he continued and finished his Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership in 2018. He is currently working towards a Gifted and Talented Certificate from McDaniel college to be completed in December 2023.
Mr. Ridenour is currently an Elementary Advanced Academics Teacher Specialist supporting several elementary schools throughout the county: Ballenger Creek, Brunswick, Carroll Manor, and Yellow Springs.
Alicia Baquero
Administrative Secretary
301-696-6901
301-644-5139 (fax)