MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING
MAY 10, 2024
HOODING CEREMONY | FRIDAY,
20
24
Order Of exercises
Procession of Students, Faculty, Staff and Honored Guests
Greetings
Angela Johnson, professor and co-chair of the Department of Educational Studies; director of teacher education
Student Address
Lauren Fontaine and Kelsey Kluh
Address Introduction
Angela Johnson
Address
Marc Pirner '10, MAT '11, principal, Chopticon High School
Presentation of Candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree
Sahar Shafqat, associate dean of faculty
Charge to the Graduating Class
The Department of Educational Studies
Recessional Music
HOOding ceremOny speaker
Marc Pirner ’10, MAT ’11 Principal,
Chopticon High School
A history major graduating from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and in 2011 with a Master of Arts in Teaching, Mr. Pirner student-taught at Leonardtown High School and Banjul Upper Basic School, Republic of the Gambia, Africa. He began his teaching career as a social studies teacher at Patuxent High School in Calvert County. During his time at Patuxent, Mr. Pirner actively participated in improving school culture and climate and worked tirelessly towards improving relationships with students. He believes strongly in approaching students with empathy and encouragement.
The four years Mr. Pirner taught at Patuxent High School were formative in his growth as an educator and provided a solid foundation of quality leadership skills which led to his promotion to assistant principal of Chopticon High School in St. Mary’s County in 2016. During his time as assistant principal, Mr. Pirner took on responsibilities that helped him develop into a wellrounded and successful administrator. Overseeing safety and security, his leadership earned Chopticon High School the Maryland’s School Safety Award in 2017.
Mr. Pirner’s commitment to school improvement and student relationships earned him the promotion to Chopticon High School principal in the spring of 2020 where he successfully supported his team of approximately 100 staff and 1600 students to navigate the changing landscape and ever-growing demands of education. As a principal, he has become passionate about prioritizing the emerging mental health crisis and using student engagement strategies to combat student withdrawal and anxiety.
HOOding ceremOny
As part of the recognition of earning a graduate degree, master and doctoral students participate in a hooding ceremony in the lead up to commencement. During this celebration, a faculty member places the master's hood over the head of the graduate, signifying their successful completion of the degree. The colors of the hood signify the field of study and in some cases, the institution. The light blue velvet band represents education, while the yellow is a reference to the St. Mary’s College of Maryland school colors.
candidates fOr tHe
master Of arts in teacHing degree
Jacob Darby Bowen
California, MD
Secondary Mathematics
Owen Knorr Deli
Rockville, MD
Secondary Social Studies/History
Brianna Batelka Englert Mechanicsville, MD
Elementary Education
Lauren Elizabeth Fontaine* Deale, MD
Secondary Social Studies/History
Rebecca Helen Guy** Leonardtown, MD
Special Education
Kelsey Nicole Jennifer Kluh* La Plata, MD
Elementary Education
Sheray Ashley McLeod Waldorf, MD
Elementary Education
Rebekah Nefret Perunko * Salisbury, MD
Elementary Education
Michael Christopher Vass Chesapeake Beach, MD
Secondary Social Studies/History
McKenzie Skye Wood Mechanicsville, MD
Elementary Education
*MSDE Teacher of Promise
**MATE Distinguished Teacher
Candidate
tHe department Of educatiOnal studies
Sahar Shafqat, PhD, associate dean of faculty
Katy Arnett, PhD, associate vice president for academic affairs
Angela Johnson, PhD, professor of educational studies
Katherine Koch, PhD, associate professor of educational studies
David Morris, PhD, associate professor of educational studies
Janet Varner, EdD, lecturer of educational studies
Destini Braxton, PhD, visiting assistant professor of educational studies
Whitney Nyman MAT '15, visiting instructor
Crystal Dunkin, associate director of teacher education
Elsa Ugues, educational studies support specialist Adjunct Faculty
Jenifer Kearns
April Ryan
Bobbi Scrivener
Katherine Sushinsky