blair » teacher

Time well spent

By Nene Narh-Mensah | Oct. 15, 2018, 8:14 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

A retiring staff member looks back at her time at Blair

After 19 years, Leigh Tinsley returns to Blair

By Emmy Song | Sept. 27, 2018, 6:27 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

"When you teach writing, you get to see kids grow and come into their own voices, and there's something really validating about that. They are going to fight for what they believe in and I love giving them the tools to be able to do that in the world."

D. Leyder arrives at Blair, the intersection of cultural crossroads

By Emmy Song | Sept. 27, 2018, 6:11 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

"As a bilingual and bicultural teen, there were times that I felt that I didn’t fit in. It was as if I had one foot in each country."

A Lively performance

By Eric Feigen | Nov. 30, 2017, 8:01 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Engaging high students is one of a teacher's greatest challenges. Robin Lively, the latest addition to the Blair math department, uses acrobatics as way to motivate her class and foster good study habits in and out of school. If all of her students receive a least C on a major assignment, Lively performs a cartwheel as a reward for the class' hard work.

Woodward, Marta

By Abir Muhuri | March 15, 2015, 11:03 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Marta Woodward is sure to brighten up your day. She has an infectious smile and wears colorful headbands. Whether teaching biology, singing for her choir or simply being herself, Marta Woodward keeps with her a treasure chest of wisdom and diversity.

Taking center stage

By Zewde Ingram | Dec. 29, 2014, 2:04 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Kelly O'Connor, who has taught at Blair since 1997, is a passionate thespian who has enthusiastically embraced the role as director of Montgomery Blair's school plays and musicals.

Redefining the term 'student teacher'

By Martha Morganstein | Nov. 18, 2014, 7:03 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

"It's the strong smell of deja-vu," NSL and AP comparative government teacher Peter Cirincione says. It's Cirincione's first year as a teacher at Blair, but his 5th year as a member of the Blair community.

Mbaya Subayi: from the Belgian Congo to Blair High School

By Sasha Tidwell | Oct. 3, 2014, 9:28 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

With his complex background, French teacher Mbaya Subayi fits right in with the diverse population while also standing out as a charismatic teacher.

Duval, Elizabeth

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | May 3, 2014, 2:38 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Plotinsky, Miriam

By Neida Mbuia Joao | May 3, 2014, 2:22 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

James Schafer

By Harini Salgado | Jan. 6, 2014, 6:46 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

On the first day of class, James Schafer always does one activity. He asks his students to sit down in the back of the classroom and asks for their name and one interesting thing about them. Unlike most teachers however, by the end of class, he knows each of his student's names.

Yolaine Siko: Integrating different cultures in the classroom

By Ross Cohen-Kristiansen | Dec. 10, 2013, 3:34 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Siko's native language is French, but is fluent English she recounts her journey since college, which has taken her to three continents and exposed her to many different cultures.

Peter Engelmann

By Abir Muhuri | June 19, 2013, 8:56 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

With binders of math curricula filed across his table, one would assume Peter Engelmann was born to teach math. But that's just not the case.

Mary Lou Thornton

By Harini Salgado | June 19, 2013, 8:41 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

"Good teachers are born to teach," Mary Lou Thornton says, sitting in her office, surrounded by books, photos and papers. Thornton, who teaches three Honors United States History classes and is the resource teacher for the Social Studies department, has been teaching for a long time. "I've been at Blair since 2004 or 2005. It's been such a long time I can't remember," she says laughing. During her time at Blair she has developed a reputation of being fun teacher with interesting classes.

Courtney Wells

By Samuel Popper | June 18, 2013, 7:21 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Courtney Wells is glad she did come to Blair because even though she has just entered the Blazer family, she loves it already and is glad she came here over anywhere else,

Robert Gibb

By Rohan Oprisko | June 18, 2013, 7:33 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

The Hand of God, playing long stick middy, seeing multiple music shows and stopping a fight in his first day as a teacher at Blair, the list goes on and on. Robert Gibb has seen and experienced all of these things and more in and out of Blair during his 24-year tenure.

James Mogge

By Madeleine Daly | June 17, 2013, 8:53 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

James Mogge pulls up a chair in the hallway after school before heading back into his classroom. He stays late to give extra help to students who are waiting patiently in their seats. Kids stay after the bell rings, going over their notes and working with Mr. Mogge.

Katie Lazo

By Sarah Trunk | June 17, 2013, 8:36 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Lazo teaches English as a Second Language (ESOL), and there is nothing she cares about more than her students. She loves talking with them, helping them and really getting to know them.

Kelly Crowder

By Abel Chanyalew | June 17, 2013, 8:18 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

For many students, the mandatory art class is not exactly an important element of the white index card that reads them their schedule. Art teacher and aficionado Kelly Crowder wants to change all that.

Lauren Gonzalez

By Martha Morganstein | June 17, 2013, 12:20 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Lauren Gonzalez has a full plate. She is a dance and health education teacher at Blair, the Student Service Learning Coordinator and Rockville High School's Varsity Poms Coach.

Christopher Klein

By Ross Cohen-Kristiansen | June 16, 2013, 11:59 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Although his career path has often changed direction, Klein feels it has taken him to the right place: teaching English at Blair.

Austin, Lucie

By Zoe Johnson | May 3, 2013, 2:51 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Allen, Tyrone

By Jack Estrin | April 13, 2013, 6:23 a.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Allen's teaching style is self-described as three things: structured, no-nonsense and organized, and these qualities are apparent. He controls his class, and will not put up with anything but civility. His style ensures complete focus from the students, whether he's lecturing or performing one of his classic solo music acts.

Goldberg, David

By Allison Daitch | Dec. 9, 2011, 2:21 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

A teacher who used to be a DJ? Who loves punk music? Who wants school to start later? This doesn't seem feasible, until you meet Mr. Goldberg.

Barclay, Maima

By Molly Nicholson | Dec. 9, 2011, 1:51 p.m. | In Teacher Feature »

Students stop in the middle of what they're doing to come up to Maima Barclay; they hug and kiss her cheeks as she puts her arms around them and comments on what they're working on. Everyone says hello in the hallway and as she sits down Barclay rummages through her purse, pulls out a Baby Ruth candy bar and offers it to anyone.With her down-to-earth and playful personality, Barclay is a teacher that students fawn over.