Dear Parents,
We have had a wonderful opening to our new school year! There have been many positive comments about our students and teachers. I would like to take a moment to introduce you to the newest teachers at John Carroll:
Alison Amato – English teacher. Mrs. Amato is a graduate of John Carroll, Class of 2000. She is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University, and comes to us with extensive experience teaching creative writing and composition at Stevenson University. Her objective for teaching at John Carroll is for her students to produce well-reasoned and established analysis via intensive critical thinking, reading, and writing.
Martha Cavanaugh-O’Keefe – Chemistry and Mathematics teacher. Ms. Cavanaugh-O’Keefe is a graduate of Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA. Her Maryland Certification served her well in teaching at Western High School in Baltimore. Her most exciting experiences though, come from teaching in France, Abu Dhabi, and Tanzania, plus serving in the Peace Corps in Tanzania. She fluently speaks English, French, and Swahili.
Sean Connolly – Mathematics teacher. Mr. Connolly is a graduate of Hofstra University, where he received his Juris Doctor. His true love though, has always been in education. He comes to us from teaching at Trinity Lutheran, Harford Community College, Joppatowne High School, Towson Catholic High School, and The Forbush School. When asked about his philosophy of teaching, he said, “My philosophy of education is that a school and each individual teacher help each student achieve their full potential; to help the children find and develop the unique gifts that God has given them.”
Hayley Howe – English teacher. Ms. Howe is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University and is currently working on her master’s at Johns Hopkins University. Although a resident of Baltimore, her most recent teaching experiences were at New Market Middle School and Catoctin High School in Frederick County. Her influence at John Carroll now spreads to the soccer field where she is an assistant coach for the girls’ soccer team. Ms. Howe played professional and semi-pro soccer. Being a coach though, is secondary to her teaching. Earlier this summer she remarked that teaching literature sparked a passion in her.
Michael Kimble – Religion teacher and Dormitory Supervisor. Mr. Kimble graduated from LaSalle University. Most recently he was the Director of Advanced Academics and the Assistant Head of School at The Phelps School in Malvern, PA. Mr. Kimble believes that the purpose of Catholic education is to produce Christian individuals capable of living and proclaiming the message of Christ. This makes him perfect for our Religion Department and for leading the young men living in St. Joseph Hall here on campus.
Jessica Limmer – Physics and Robotics teacher. Ms. Limmer is a graduate of Towson University and is a current student at Gratz College in Pennsylvania. Ms. Limmer is also a graduate of John Carroll, Class of 2000. Her most recent experience was teaching at Southern Middle School and North County High School in Anne Arundel County. We look forward to Ms. Limmer’s high energy and her ability to institute the Science Olympiad here at John Carroll this year.
Julie Parrish – Vocal Music and Strings instruction. Mrs. Parrish graduated from Elon University with a degree in music theatre and music. She comes to us with vast experience as the Resident Music Director at the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, Children’s Choir Music Director at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, and as an Independently Contracted Instructor/Adjudicator in private piano studio, the Performing Arts Academy at John Carroll, and musical theatre instructor. Besides teaching our Chorus, Strings, and Music Ministry, be sure to look for her outstanding work with our theatre productions as well.
Tara Snook – English teacher. Ms. Snook is a graduate of Monmouth University and Elon University. Her professional experience includes being a Special Education teacher at City Neighbors High School and New Hope Academy in Baltimore. These skills make her particularly effective in differentiating instruction. Ms. Snook commented this summer, “As an English teacher, I believe strongly in the power of literature and language to inspire and create, but more importantly, I believe that as a teacher I have the opportunity to instill within my students a strong sense of character, responsibility, and the empowerment to change the world.”
Br. Steve Strausbaugh – Dormitory Supervisor. Br. Steve has his M.A. in Theology from the University of St. Michael, University of Toronto. His B.A. in Philosophy is from Loyola University here in Baltimore. Br. Steve is a Xaverian Brother and comes to us with experience being the Head Prefect at St. Stanislaus College Prep in Mississippi, teacher and Dean of Students at Mother Seton Academy, Pastoral Associate for Christian Service at St. Joseph Catholic Community, and the Director of Campus Ministry and Service at Mt. St. Joseph High School. Although not a full-time teacher at John Carroll, Br. Steve substitutes for teachers, works in the Testing Room, and is helping with service learning this year.
Steven Teter – Social Studies teacher. Mr. Teter is a graduate of Towson University. Although he is new as a teacher here at John Carroll, he has been well-known for the past two years as our Baseball Coach. Mr. Teter came to us from Dundalk High School where he taught U.S. Government, A.P. Psychology, and Psychology. Mr. Teter has high standards for his students and can accommodate a wide variety of abilities and learning styles in his classroom.
Kathleen Welsh – Library Media and Instructional Technology Specialist. Mrs. Welsh is a candidate for her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Instructional Technology from the University of Virginia. Her M.Ed. from Johns Hopkins is in Educational Studies, Instructional Technology. Mrs. Welsh came to us from St. Paul School for Girls. Her instructional technology skills are priceless for our students and faculty. A library can no longer be defined by the books surrounding its walls. A library now needs access to the world.
Please join me in welcoming these fine professionals and their contributions to our community.
Sincerely,
Madelyn Ball
Principal