GOALS OF THE MARYLAND COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL STUDIES
- To promote and support social studies education in Maryland and the United States.
- To build a community of social studies educators in the state of Maryland.
- To advance cultural understanding through social studies instruction that teaches respect for human differences and an appreciation of diversity.
- To provide high quality professional development and instructional resources for Maryland social studies teachers.
- To recognize excellent social studies teachers and programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
MDCSS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Scott McComb
Scott is the Supervisor of Social Studies in Calvert County, Maryland. He has over 25 years of experience in education and has been a member of the MDCSS Board of Directors since 2005. Scott’s goal for the Council is provide a clearing house of social studies related information for educators, high quality professional development opportunities and much needed advocacy. To contact Scott, email him at smccomb@mdcss.org
President-Elect: Amanda Roberts
Amanda has 5 years of teaching experience in Harford County Public Schools. She has been a member of MDCSS Board of Directors since 2010. Her goal for MDCSS is to help social studies remain an important part of our schools and critical in the eyes of our politicians. To contact Amanda, email her at aroberts@mdcss.org
Treasurer: Kim Popetz
Kim is the Director of Education at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum in Calvert County. She has served on the Board of MDCSS since 2009 in an At-Large position and, currently, as Treasurer. Kim would like to complete the transition making MDCSS a non-profit organization and enhance our connections with social studies educators working outside of school systems. To contact Kim, email her at kpopetz@mdcss.org
Recording Secretary: Cindy Waugh
Cindy Waugh is an 8th Grade US History Teacher and Social Studies Team Leaders in Howard County, Maryland. She has over 10 years of experience in education. Cindy’s goal for the Council is to provide valuable information and professional development opportunities to educators across the state of Maryland. She also desires to bring to the discipline of Social Studies the respect it has long deserved. To contact Cindy, email her at Cindy_Waugh@hcpss.org
Membership Secretary: Laura Pinto
Laura is the STEM Teacher Specialist in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. She has eleven years of experience in Social Studies education as both a teacher and academic chair at Wiley H. Bates Middle School. Laura’s goal for the Council is to bring passion to civic education and to prepare students for success in the 21st Century by providing teachers with excellent professional development. Laura has been an Executive Committee member since 2011. To contact Laura, email her at lpinto@mdcss.org
Member-at-Large: Dani Biancoli
Dani is a high school social studies teacher in Washington County, Maryland. She is the Council’s lead contact for vendors and exhibitors at the MDCSS annual conference. To contact Dani, email her at dbiancoli@mdcss.org
Member-at-Large: Fern Wolt
Fern is a citizen advocate for social studies who believes it’s not only important to voice concerns, but to get involved and act upon them as well. As a parent, concerned citizen and a small business owner, Fern is worried about the disintagration of civic literacy and social studies/history education in Maryland and the country. She asks, “without studing our past how can we prevent the same mistakes and without the knowledge of our government how can we maintain our freedoms?” Fern has been involve in many civic and community organizations, such as MSSAC, PTSA, PIRG, North Potomac Civic Association, BSA and the Gaithersburg Book Festival. She is a graduate of The George Washington University and has been an MDCSS board member for two years. Fern hopes to continue promoting and supporting Social Studies and Civic education in Maryland. To contact Fern, email her at fwolt@mdcss.org
Member-at-Large: Jermaine Ellerbe
Jermaine is an assistant professor at Coppin State University where he teaches Social Studies Methods Courses and supervise elementary student teachers. He has been an educator for 15 years and is also a member or the National Council for the Social Studies. Jermaine’s goal is to share pedagogical strategies through professional development for preservice and new teachers. To contact Jermaine, email him at jellerbe@mdcss.org
Member-at-Large: Tina Nelson
Tina is a middle school assistant principal in Baltimore County Public Schools. Prior to school administration, she was involved in the elementary and secondary social studies offices of the county. She has been in education for 15 years, and involved in leadership of MDCSS since 2007. Tina’s goal for MDCSS is to continue to provide social studies educators with access to information about professional development and advocacy. To contact Tina, email her at tnelson@mdcss.org
MSDE Liaison: Valarie Johnson
Prior to her arrival at MSDE, Valarie taught in Baltimore City. She is described as a gifted educator by State social studies coordinator Marcie Thoma and provides an important link between MDCSS and the Maryland State Department of Education. To contact Valarie, email her at vjohnson@msde.state.md.us
Executive Secretary: Barbara White
Barbara is the mother of five grown children and a recently retired middle school social studies teacher. Serving on the Maryland Council for Social Studies affords the opportunities to broaden the avenues of communication and advocate for social studies education. To contact Barbara, email her at bwhite@mdcss.org