Meet the Mentors
Symposium & Showcase Day
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Second Cohort
Meet the innovators and mentors from our second cohort and explore their projects.
Meet the Mentors
Brooke Smith
Ms. Smith engages learners in innovation and entrepreneurship through human-centered design experiences at the University of Maryland, Georgetown University, and beyond. She designs, facilitates, and coaches hands-on courses and workshops grounded in design thinking and lean startup principles to empower learners from undergraduates to professionals to become creative problem solvers in their respective fields.
She also develops and leads design-driven programs for academic and public sector leaders, including the Stanford d.school Teaching and Learning Studio, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NASA, and local county governments. Beyond work, Brooke loves spending time with her family, writing about everyday observations on Substack, reading, and backyard birding.
Colin Welch
Mr. Colin Welch is a data enthusiast with nearly 20 years of experience serving students in the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County. He began his career as a social studies teacher and has served in roles in school operations, data analysis, and strategic planning. Whether managing the logistics of a school building or developing tools to track student growth, Colin focuses on making systems work better for educators and students. He holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Pace University, and The George Washington University. He currently lives in Washington, DC with his wife and school-aged daughter.
Laura Liccione
Ms. Liccione is an Improvement Science Instructional Specialist with Prince George’s County Public Schools, where she supports schools in advancing continuous improvement initiatives through the use of state, local, and school-based evidence. Since joining PGCPS in 2022, she has guided educators and leaders in building systems that drive student success and sustainable instructional growth.
Laura began her career over two decades ago in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, serving as a classroom teacher of both English Language Arts and mathematics, as well as a school performance specialist, Equity Liaison, and Assistant Principal. Twice nominated for Teacher of the Year, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to equity, instructional excellence, and student achievement. Her career also includes more than five years at the Maryland State Department of Education, where she supervised statewide initiatives tied to the College and Career Readiness Pillar of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
She holds dual master’s degrees: one in Instructional Technology for School Improvement from Johns Hopkins University and another in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Educational Leadership from McDaniel College. In addition, she maintains an Advanced Professional Certificate for elementary and middle school education and Administrator I and II certifications.
Marson Richardson, Ed. D
Dr. Richardson currently serves as the Equity Coach for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). Dr. Richardson brings over 20 years of experience in education to his role with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Belonging. He is passionate about fostering inclusive learning environments, advancing culturally responsive practices, and driving systemic change. Marson works closely with educators and students to break down barriers and promote equity for all. He has held the roles of elementary mathematics teacher, instructional lead teacher, Talented and Gifted Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Instructional Specialist. He holds a B.A. in Psychology (NC State), an M.Ed. (Grand Canyon University), and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Walden University).
Melissa Kanney, Ed.D
Dr. Kanney currently serves as the English Language Development (ELD) Supervisor for Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS). PGCPS is home to the nation's 12th largest ELD program, supporting over 33,000 Multilingual Learners. Dr. Kanney has an extensive background within PGCPS and the ELD office, having served in various roles, including classroom and ELD teacher, ELD Coach, and Elementary ELD Instructional Specialist.
She earned both her Master's in Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Development from the University of Maryland. Demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence, Dr. Kanney also holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and is currently pursuing her National Board Certification (NBCT) in English as a New Language. Dr. Kanney is deeply passionate about creating equitable learning environments where Multilingual Learners thrive. She believes that fostering linguistic competence goes hand-in-hand with developing a strong sense of cultural belonging and academic identity for every student. Her work is guided by the philosophy that diverse language assets are a powerful resource within the school community.
Negasti McCurdie-Wright, Ed. D
Dr. McCurdie-Wright is an accomplished education leader with over two decades of expertise in leadership, special education, and strategic development. As a Grants Development Specialist, she drives initiatives that expand access, equity, and excellence across educational systems. She holds certifications in Administration I and II, Special Education Supervision, English, and Special Education (Birth–Adult).
Dr. Wright earned her Bachelor of Science from the prestigious Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts in Special Education from The George Washington University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of the Cumberlands. She also holds a Certificate of School Management and Leadership from Harvard University and a Certificate of School Superintendency from Howard University. She is the author of Equity and Excellence: A Comprehensive Guide to Special Education Funding and Advocacy and is known for her enduring commitment to building inclusive, high-performing learning communities that empower every student to succeed.
Dr. Olivia Pearson
Dr. Olivia Pearson’s career in education has been focused on supporting academic standards and student success. In her current role as the Supervisor of College Readiness for Prince George’s County Public Schools, Olivia works on the implementation of career counseling and increasing access to programs such as dual enrollment, early/middle college, and a broader range of college access and readiness initiatives. She values the opportunity to collaborate with higher education partners and families to help create more pathways for students. At the state level, Olivia contributed to the Blueprint Pillar 3: College and Career Readiness Advisory Committee, serving as chair through 2025, and participates in the Maryland State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education. She was grateful to be recognized with the Maryland State Leadership in Gifted and Talented Education Award in 2024.
Ranae Stradford
Mrs. Stradford is an experienced educator and human resources professional with over 20 years in teacher recruitment, coaching, and talent development. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and later supported educators as a Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Consulting Teacher. She has also served as a recruiter, leading initiatives to grow educator pipelines and enhance the candidate experience. Throughout her career, Ranae has been dedicated to creating conditions where both students and staff can thrive. She currently serves as a Strategic Transformation Partner within Prince George’s County Public Schools. A certified SHRM-CP professional, she holds a Master’s in Adult Education with a focus in Administration and Supervision from Coppin State University and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Towson University.
Roderick Adams
Mr. Adams serves as a Compliance Administrator for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), where he evaluates compliance issues related to student safety, fraud, waste, and abuse. In this role, he investigates allegations of non-compliance, provides guidance, reviews administrative procedures to ensure alignment with federal and state laws as well as Board of Education policies, and advises leadership on policy interpretation and implementation. He also prepares reports on investigations and corrective actions, ensures consistent adherence to policies, and serves as a liaison to external agencies.
Prior to his current role, Roderick worked in the PGCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) Office, partnering with community colleges, universities, law schools, courts, law firms, medical examiner’s offices, law enforcement agencies, automotive dealerships, businesses, and civic organizations. Through these collaborations, he introduced students to a broad range of certificated and professional opportunities in automotive, business, computer science, environmental science, forensic science, information technology, and legal fields.
Sarah Thomas, Ph.D
Dr. Thomas is an Instructional Technology Specialist in PGCPS. She is also the founder of EduMatch, an organization that empowers educators to make global connections across common areas of interest. She has spoken and presented internationally, participated in the Technical Working Group to refresh the 2017 ISTE Standards for Educators, and is a recipient of the ISTE Making IT Happen award. Sarah is a co-author of the ISTE digital equity series, Closing the Gap, the winner of the 2023 Maryland Society for Educational Technology Outstanding Leader Using Technology award, and the 2023 Leader of the Year as designated by the American Consortium for Equity in Education.
Meet the Innovators
Dr. Abiola Macaulay
As an accomplished visionary leader in the academic sector with 21 years of operational, planning, program development experience, and data analysis, I am well prepared to significantly contribute to the goals of the specific roles in the education field. I have led the ESOL Department for a total of 10 combined years. I am currently the PDLT leader at my current school. Graduating from Capella University’s School of Education accredited program in Educational Leadership and Management, I have a strong educational background that incorporates national standards and models that emphasize intervention, individual and group instructional practices and collaboration. Through my action research, I had the privilege of working within a middle school setting, where I was able to demonstrate modified instructional approaches to include small group and whole group classroom instruction for language learners.
Alyse Montgomery
She is a dedicated educator and leader with over 20 years of service in Prince George’s County Public Schools. A proud graduate of Spelman College with a B.A. in Education and The George Washington University with an M.A. in Education, she began her career as a Special Education teacher before moving into teacher leadership roles, including Peer Assistance and Review Consulting Teacher and Mentor Teacher.
Alyse is SHRM-certified and a National Board Certified Teacher, bringing both human resources expertise and instructional excellence to her work. In her current role within Human Resources, Talent Acquisition and Management, she serves as a Recruitment Advisor, where she attracts top talent to PGCPS, supports educator development through high-quality professional learning, and guides Conditional Teachers along alternative pathways to licensure. Her passion lies in empowering teachers to grow in the profession, fostering their development so that students achieve lasting success. Outside of her professional work, Alyse is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a tap dance teacher, and enjoys going to the gym and traveling. She is also a proud wife and mom of two.
Amy R. Warren, Ed.D.
Amy R. Warren, Ed.D. (She/Her) is a first year Resource Teacher at ISAA’s Interventions and Assessments Office. She was a Resource Teacher at Baden Elementary for 5 years, and is in her 19th year of working in public schools in 3 states. She spent 12 years in Elementary schools in total. After taking 14 years "off" to raise her three children, she spent 7 years as a Resource Teacher and a Compliance Facilitator at a middle school in a different Maryland District before transferring to PG. Moving to PG, where the special education professional development is the best she's seen, she observed that the newly-developed practices and procedures shared at the Department Chair level in this District also didn't always get adopted or applied fully at the schools. This is what drives the project: easily understood and accessible ways to disseminate information to all stakeholders in the educational process so that they are informed, can know the Whats, Whos, and Whens, but most importantly can articulate the Why of each topic, and the How in terms of implementation in their sphere of influence in PGCPS.
Angela C. Davis
Ms. Davis is a Buffalo, NY, transplant and the Kindergarten & 3rd Grade English Language Development Teacher at Forest Heights Elementary, where she also serves as the TAG Coordinator. A wife and mother of two, Angela brings a family-centered, faith-grounded, and equity-driven lens to her work with multilingual learners and gifted students. She is the creator of the Wholeness & Wisdom Hub, an SEL-focused concept designed to strengthen belonging, student voice, and school–home partnerships. Her commitment to cultivating belonging, strengthening school–home relationships, and elevating asset-based learning experiences drives her engagement in the Strategic Planning Innovation Incubator, where she aims to advance innovative, community-rooted solutions that support the whole child.
Dr. Belinda Sango
Dr. Sango is a dedicated Special Education Instructional Specialist with Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), bringing over 25 years of experience in the field of education. With a lifelong commitment to advancing equitable, high-quality instruction for students with disabilities, she has built her career on empowering educators, strengthening school-based practices, and ensuring that all students receive the individualized support they need to thrive.
She holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University, where she refined her expertise in systems-level change, instructional coaching, and effective leadership practices. Throughout her career, Dr. Sango has served in multiple roles within special education, earning a reputation as a knowledgeable, compassionate, and solutions-oriented leader.
Her work focuses on building teacher capacity, improving instructional outcomes, and using data-driven decision-making to elevate student achievement. Dr. Sango remains committed to fostering inclusive environments where all learners, regardless of ability, can succeed. Her work focuses on building teacher capacity, improving instructional outcomes, and using data-driven decision-making to elevate student achievement. She is also a proud mother of three, balancing her professional dedication with a rich family life. Dr. Sango remains committed to fostering inclusive environments where all learners, regardless of ability, can succeed.
Candace E. Slobodnik
Candace E. Slobodnik is a dynamic educational leader with over 20 years of experience driving instructional excellence, equity, and schoolwide transformation at Crossland High School’s CTE Hub in Prince George’s County Public Schools. As Instructional Lead Teacher, School Improvement Liaison, Equity Lead (SBEL), and New Teacher Academy Chair, she leads collaborative coaching, designs professional development, and implements data-informed initiatives that strengthen teacher capacity and improve student outcomes.
Candace has a B.A. in History from the University of Maryland, an M.A. in Leadership in Teaching, Administration, and Supervision from Notre Dame of Maryland University, and Postgraduate Certificates in Teaching American History, Secondary Literacy Coaching, and Strategic Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland. Her classroom experience includes teaching IB Theory of Knowledge, AP Psychology, and core Social Studies courses, alongside curriculum development, vertical alignment, and school-, district-, and national-level professional learning initiatives. She specializes in integrating disciplinary literacy, project-based learning, instructional technology, and culturally responsive practices to create rigorous, engaging, and equitable learning environments. A recognized innovator, Candace has participated in PGCPS Innovation Mastermind Cohorts I & II (2023–2025), developing and piloting creative solutions that advance district priorities. She is also a Harvard Engaging Eurasia Teaching Fellow (2025–26) and a Global Teaching Fellow at Ohio State University (2022–present), contributing nationally to initiatives in disciplinary literacy, equity, economic education, and AI in society.
James Webb
James Webb is a highly accomplished educational leader and dedicated Special Education professional with over 17 years of experience serving Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). He is deeply committed to instilling an appreciation for learning in all students and specializes in supporting elementary Autism and elementary resource programs. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership- Special Education at Bowie State University.
James’s tenure includes five years as an Autism Instructional Specialist for the PGCPS K-12 Special Education Central Office (July 2021 to present). In this central office role, he coordinates instructional programs and services for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). His responsibilities are comprehensive, involving collaboration with school teams on planning and programming, participating in local IEP teams for special education and related service decisions, and ensuring compliance with federal and state mandates. James has a key role in providing instructional support and technical assistance to classroom teachers, effectively responding to parent and school concerns, and articulating current trends and data on program needs to supervisors. He develops and conducts professional learning activities related to ASD and serves as a vital resource for identification strategies that support instructional planning, effective behavior management, and appropriate social skill development.
Kia Haselrig-Oparah
A proud graduate of Prince George’s County Public Schools, Kia is a published author with multiple books written for parents, children, and families. Some books are co-authored with her husband and she has guided their two children in publishing their own books. Her work experience spans three states, working with people aged 3 - 90s, in various capacities. However, all roads led Kia and her family back to Prince George’s County.
Kia is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and doctoral candidate, with over 30 years in the fields of psychology, education, assessment, student leadership, and parent support. In addition to more traditional tasks for school psychologists, Kia is passionate about ensuring students and staff feel seen and valued. In her role as a school psychologist, she has raised over $15k in small grants, community support, family donations, and gifts-in-kind to support students and school communities.
Lakeysha Littlejohn
With over 18 years of experience in human resources spanning staffing, recruitment, operations, and training and development, Lakeysha Littlejohn brings a deep passion for people and education to her work. Her entire HR career has been dedicated to public education, where she strives to make a meaningful impact on schools, students, and staff.
Lakeysha holds a Master’s in Human Resources Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Communications. A proud graduate of Howard University, she truly “bleeds bison blue.” She is also a certified human resources professional through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Lakeysha first joined Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) in 2008 and returned in 2014 as an Human Resource Partner, where she collaborated with school leaders on staffing initiatives. In 2018, she transitioned as a Recruitment Advisor, focusing on attracting and hiring exceptional talent to serve PGCPS students. Beyond her work in the district, Lakeysha serves as an Executive Board Member of the Maryland Association of School Personnel Administrators (MASPA), where she helps amplify the voices of HR professionals in Maryland’s education community. In her spare time, Lakeysha enjoys spending time with her two children and cheering on Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills as they make their run toward the Super Bowl.
Mike ReVell, Ed.D., PMP
Dr. Mike ReVell is a resourceful educational leader with extensive experience in education and human development. Currently serving as an Instructional Specialist (K-8, Specialized Education) for Prince George’s County Public Schools, he supports the design, delivery, and development of Specialized Instructional Practices for learners with Individualized Educational Programs (IEP).
With a doctorate in education and a certification as a Project Management Professional, Dr. ReVell strives to develop systems and frameworks that support learners’ growth and teacher capacity, particularly in designing, delivering, and developing inclusive and specially designated learning environments.
Dr. ReVell is committed to cultivating learning environments that are equitable, responsive, and grounded in best or High Leverage Practices. Whether moderating instructional initiatives or consulting on Individualized Educational Programs, he remains focused on one goal: empowering educators and learners with IEPs to achieve meaningful success within a growth mindset.
Nancy Ashley
Experienced English Language Development (ELD) educator, department chair, and immigrant advocate with over 20 years of combined experience in education, community leadership, and family engagement. Currently serving as ELD Chairperson at Colin Powell Academy, a K–8 school with a large and diverse multilingual learner population. Brings a unique perspective as an immigrant, former community leader, and parent of a multilingual student, allowing for deep empathy and culturally responsive practices. Actively engaged in designing systems that strengthen communication between schools and multilingual families, ensuring equitable access to information, resources, and academic support.
Currently enrolled in the Accelerate TESOL Certification Program at Notre Dame of Maryland University, with a strong commitment to professional growth and innovation. Seeking to leverage the PGCPS Innovation Incubator to design and implement sustainable, school-based family engagement structures that empower multilingual families to navigate the school system, understand assessments, and actively support student learning. Passionate about bridging gaps between schools and communities through data-informed practices, culturally responsive outreach, and collaborative leadership.
Noelle Royal
Noelle Royal joined PGCPS in 2013 after earning a Bachelor's in Special Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Over the first decade of her career, Noelle's service to students with disabilities ranged from working as a Comprehensive Special Education teacher, Resource teacher and IEP Chairperson; developing and implementing Individualized Educational Plans for students requiring specialized instruction, administering academic assessments, and ensuring proper implementation of state procedures. In 2021, Noelle earned a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Still serving her native district, Noelle joined the county's Special Education Administration Office in 2022 working as an Itinerant Crisis Intervention Resource Teacher for the Office of Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS). In this role, she works to address and reduce disproportionality risk ratios in targeted areas identified by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) such as the overidentification of students belonging to certain demographic groups and disciplinary removals. In efforts to address MSDE's concerns, Ms. Royal coaches school teams on tiered behavioral management strategies, Behavioral Assessments, Interventions and data collection. In addition to her work with CCEIS, Ms. Royal collaborates with several district offices such as The Office of Psychological Services, The Office of Professional Learning and Leadership as well as the Office of Instructional Assessments and Accountability to facilitate trainings and professional learning opportunities for educators, administrators and support personnel. Ms. Royal continues to explore innovative, inclusive ways to bridge education and creative practice for diverse communities in PGCPS.
Rian Nichole Reed
Ms. Reed, MBA, NBCT, Ed.S., is a dynamic and results-oriented educational leader with a career defined by designing, securing funding for, and implementing large-scale, innovative programs that drive systemic change. Her work consistently focuses on creating equitable outcomes, building staff capacity, and forging powerful community partnerships.
Rian’s impact is most evident at the policy and systems level. As an Educator in the District of Columbia, she spearheaded a year-long advocacy strategy that directly resulted in the passage of Council Bill 25-0766. This landmark achievement secured $2.4 million in funding for six schools to build and pilot flexible scheduling programs. In the same role, she secured the OSSE Educator Wellness Grant to design and establish a comprehensive Educator Wellness Program, boosting retention and providing sustainable resources for over 60 staff members.
Rian's influence as an innovator extends to national-level thought leadership. She is a recognized voice on educational equity and has been an invited featured speaker at numerous conferences, including the National Partnership for Educational Access, the California Association for The Gifted Fall Institute, and Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. Her insights on project-based learning, flexible scheduling, and teacher diversity have been featured in prominent publications, including The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Washington Informer, and The Georgetown Voice. Currently, she happily serves as the Secondary Special Education Chair at Largo High School.
Sharron Knight
Sharron Knight is a passionate and dedicated education professional whose career has taken her from classroom teaching to leadership roles in early childhood education, grant development and management, and higher education. These experiences have shaped her understanding of both teaching and the systems that support educators, ultimately leading her to PGCPS, where she serves as a Professional Learning Opportunities Advisor in the Office of Professional Learning and Leadership. In this role, she guides teams in developing grant-funded professional learning opportunities, builds strategic partnerships, and analyzes programmatic data to ensure initiatives align with district priorities and professional learning needs.
Sharron holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor's degree in English. Throughout her career, she has focused on creating meaningful and measurable impact ensuring that students, educators, and families benefit from high-quality educational experiences and that every initiative she supports contributes to lasting growth and success.