Our Staff

Samuel “Sam” T. Havighurst

Executive and President

M.S. Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership Focus, McDaniel College

B.S.  Elementary Education - Salisbury University

Certifications: MSDE Certified, PreK-Grade 6

Experience: NCCS (11 years): Administrator, Grades 4 - 8, Math Intervention Teacher. Carroll County Public Schools: Grades 1 and 3 (4 years).

“Success isn't owned. It's leased, and rent is due every day.”

Rebecca Beyer

Administrative Director of Teaching & Learning
M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction University of Illinois, Chicago
B.A. Psychology, Johns Hopkins University

Certifications: MSDE certified grades 1-6, Orton-Gillingham trained

Experience: NCCS (18 years): Administrator, Grades 1-9, reading intervention.

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Alex Will

Administrative Director of Students
M.S. Educational Leadership, Loyola University
B.S. Elementary Education, Mount Saint Mary’s University

Certifications: MSDE Certified, Grades 1 - 6

Experience: NCCS (13 years): Administrator. Frederick County Public Schools (3 years), Resurrection St. Paul School (Archdiocese of Baltimore, 3 years).

“Mind your thoughts because they will become your words; mind your words because they will become your actions; mind your actions because they will become your habits; mind your habits because they will become your character.”

Diane Havighurst

Administrative Director of Teaching & Learning, NCCS Co-founder

B.S. English, Muhlenberg College

Certification in Teaching, Western Maryland College

Experience: NCCS Co-founder and teacher (2015); Elementary Education in CCPS (7 years).

"Some teachers taught the curriculum today.  Other teachers taught students today.  And there's a big difference."  ~Unknown

Jennifer Barnard

Preschool Director and Lead Teacher - Preschool 4s 

M.S. School Library Media, McDaniel College
B.S. Early Childhood Education, Villa Julie College

Certifications: MSDE Certified in Early Childhood Education and School Library Media. CEUs: Early Childhood focus on play-based learning.

Experience: NCCS (3 years): Preschool Director and Lead Teacher. Carroll County Public Schools: Grade 1 (7 years), School Library Media Specialist (3 years), Pre-K (4 years) 

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play IS serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”        Fred Rogers

Allyson Rabaiotti

Assistant Teacher - Preschool 4s 

B.S. Liberal Arts and Science, concentration in elementary education, Frostburg State University

Experience: NCCS (2 years): Preschool Teacher Assistant. Kids Come First: PreK - (6 years). Mother Seton School: PreK teacher assistant (3 years), substitute teacher. 

Enjoy every moment life has to give you!  It is what it is!

Douglas Will

Lead Teacher - Preschool 3s 

B.S. Art and Design, Towson University
Experience: NCCS (2 years): Pre-school teacher. My Gym Fitness Learning Center (5 years): Class Teacher for 5 months - 7 year olds.

"Love the life you live. Live the life you love."   Bob Marley

Abbie Williamson

Preschool 3s Lead Teacher

A.A. Associates Degree, Elementary Special Education, Carroll Community College

Experience: NCCS (1 year): STEM teacher Years 1-4. Carroll County Kids@Carroll Summer Camp Assistant (4 years). Carroll County Public Schools (45 hours): Special Education Placement. Church Youth Program Assistant Teacher (8 years). 

"Don't let the fear of failure keep you from trying."

Years 1 and 2

Donna Schisler

Humanities

B.S. Elementary Education, Mount Saint Mary's University

Certifications: MSDE Certified, Grades 1-6, Trained in Orton-Gillingham Plus

Experience: NCCS (3 years): Teacher. Mother Seton School (16 years): Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, K-8 Technology, Yearbook Advisor, Powerschool Advisor.

"People who love each other are always connected by a very special string made of love. Even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it with your heart and know that you are always connected to everyone you love." - The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

Kristie Wright

NCCS Lead Teacher

B. S. Early Childhood Education, Wesley College

Experience: NCCS (19 years): Lead Teacher, Grade 1. Carroll County Public Schools (2 years): Grade 1 

“A hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in a child's life.”

Years 3 and 4

Margot Morris

Teacher
B.S. Elementary Education, Messiah University 
Certifications: MSDE Certified, Grades K-6
Experience: NCCS (2 years): Teacher. Salvation Army After Care (2 years): Grades 4-5. Harford County Public Schools (2 years): Grade 2. Tutor (3 years): Grades K-4.

"Just as one candle lights another and can light thousands of other candles, so one heart illuminates another and can illuminate thousands of other hearts."

Kathleen Thomas

Teacher
M.S. Literacy Leadership, Dyslexic Studies specialization, McDaniel College (Expected 2025)
B.S. Middle School English Education, Lesley University.

Certifications: MDSE Certified, English Language Arts Grades 4-12, Wilson Reading Program Introductory Certification, MSDE OCC Child Care Certification

Experience: NCCS (4 years): Years 5-9 Humanities. Grade 6 Framingham Public School, MA (2 years): Grade 6. Living Classrooms Foundation (2.5 years): Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (BUGS) Program Teacher.  Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) (3 years): Long-Term Substitute. Holy Spirit Early Childhood Learning Center (4 years).

“Bloom where you are planted.”  Saint Francis de Sales

Years 5 and 6

Katherine Carrick

Teacher, STEM

B.S. History and Secondary Education in the Social Sciences, Grove City College

Experience: NCCS (4 years). Homeschool Co-op Instructor and Director (20 years): High School Social Studies Teacher, Teacher Grades PreK - 12.

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain.”

Chet Hinton

Teacher, Humanities

B.S. History, McDaniel College. Coursework in Early Childhood Education and Educational Psychology

Experience: NCCS (3 years). Carroll County Public Schools (6 years).  Carrolltowne Elementary School (1.5 years): K-5 long-term substitute. 

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less.”

Years 7, 8 and 9

Sarah Rose Alexander

Teacher, Humanities

B.S. Early Childhood Education, Towson University

Experience: NCCS (10 years): Grades K-1.

“Do small things with great love.”

Holly Johnson

Teacher, Science, Mathematics

M.A. Curriculum and Instruction, Texas A&M University
B.A. Theater Arts, Baylor University

Certifications: MSDE Certified, Grades 7-12 Mathematics, English, Theater, Family and Consumer Sciences

Experience: NCCS (4 years): Middle school STEM. Texas School System (8 years): Grades 6-8, Mathematics. Mississippi (4 years): Grades 1-12 Mathematics.  Maryland (3 years): Grades 9-12 English and Drama.  

"Mathematics is the language with which God has created the universe." Galileo

JanElle Seegars

Teacher, U.S. History and Science

B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies focus on Psychology and Education, University of South Carolina

Certifications: ACSI certified 2019-2023; Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Design and Modeling certified 2020; Architecture of Learning certified 2020

Experience: NCCS (3 years). Private school teaching experience (7 years); Homeschool teaching/tutor experience (12 years); Charles County Public School (1 year): substitute.

"The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma." Patrick Star

Intervention

Ruth Rice

NCCS Lead Interventionist 

M.S. Literacy Leadership, McDaniel College
B.S. Early Childhood Education, Stevenson University

Certifications: MSDE Certified, PreK-12

Experience: NCCS (7 years): Lead Interventionist (since 2021), former Technology Teacher.  Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS): Grades Pre-k - Kindergarten (6 years).

“Remember these days you prayed for the things you have now.”

Health & Physical Education

Erin Durden

Health, Physical Education Teacher

B.S. Bridgewater College, VA.

Certifications: Holistic Nutritionist, Institute for Integrative Nutrition, NY. CrossFit Level 1 Trainer - CrossFit. CrossFit Kids Trainer- CrossFit

Experience: NCCS (4 years): Health and Physical Education at NCCS. Carroll County Public School system (7 years): Sign Language Interpreter. Carroll Community College: Substitute PE Professor for students with special needs.

“Hard work pays off.”

Jamie Hitchner

Physical Education Teacher

M.S. Educational Administration, Western Maryland College

B.A. Physical Education. Western Maryland College

Certifications: MSDE Administrator; MD Teaching License (PreK-12 Health & PE); National Board Certified Teacher (Early and Middle Childhood PE); OPEN PE National Certified Teacher (PreK-12)Experience: K–5 PE Teacher, Carroll County Public Schools (18 years); Curriculum Specialist, Frederick County Public Schools (13 years); Adjunct Professor, McDaniel College (15 years)

With everything, bring focus and intentionality! Whether nurturing relationships, pursuing goals, or realizing dreams, each day is a new opportunity to move forward and make the world a better place. Nothing can stop a heart with the purest of intentions!"

Jeff Schnorr

Physical Education, Substitute Teacher

NCCS (3 years): Physical Education. Carroll County Public Schools (13 years): Teacher for students with behavioral intervention needs. Sports and recreation director for youth and adults with physical and mental disabilities (1 year).  Recreational leader for church youth retreats. (4 years).

“Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”  Michael Scott

General & Vocal Music

Joann Benson

Teacher

M.M.E. Music Education (60 graduate credits post Master's)

B.M.  Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with certification 

Certifications: Pre-K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music

Experience: NCCS (3 years): preK - 8 Vocal and Instrumental Music. Maryland Public Schools (28 years): Music teacher for grades K-5. Carroll Community accompanying chorus and musicals (3 years). McDaniel College, MD (3 years): Teaching methods and supervising student teachers.

“Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. “A magic beyond all we do here!” J.K. Rowling

Instrumental Music & Band

Brandon Dull

Teacher
A.A. Music, Carroll Community College
A.A.S, Paramedicine, Carroll Community College

Certifications: Maryland State & National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NERMT) Paramedic Certification

Experience: NCCS (5 years): Music teacher for grades preK-8, including school band and private instrument lessons. Private music lesson teacher (16 years). Afterschool Music Program Teacher (10 years).  Let There Be Rock School (LTBRS), Frederick, MD (4 years): teacher and manager.
Rhythm Changes Nonprofit (8 years): Music program teacher and manager.  Jim's House of Music (5 years): After school band rehearsals. National touring band "KIX"  sound and production manager (10 years). Lucky Pick Guitar and Music School teacher and manager (6 years). Maryland International School (MDIS) Band and Music Director (3 years).

                                                                                                             “You don't get paid by the note.”

World Cultures

Nancy Mays

Teacher

M.Ed., Reading Towson University

B.S. Elementary Education, Towson State College

Experience: NCCS (1 year). Public Schools (30 years): Reading intervention, English Language Arts (ELA), substitute teacher. 

“Childhood is a journey, not a race.” Author Unknown

People, Events, & Places (PEP)

Scot Lynn

Teacher, NCCS Co-founder

B.S. Elementary Education, Towson University

Educational Leadership courses, McDaniel College

Experience: NCCS (20 years). Teacher, former Administrator. Carroll County Public School (6 years): 3rd and 4th grades.

“Encourage one another and build each other up.”

Environmental Science

Heidi Shoemaker-Burnett

Teacher
M.Ed., Education and Special Education, Johns Hopkins University
B.A. Psychology, Notre Dame of Maryland

Certifications: Registered Behavior Technician, MSDE certified grades K-8, SIPPS trained, Woodcock-Johnson Educational Assessment trained

Experience: NCCS (2 years): Environmental science teacher for preK-8th grade. Kennedy Krieger (7 years): Special Education Teacher for grades 1-8. Howard County Public Schools  (10 years): Special Education Team Leader Grades K-5. Elevate Coaching and Advocacy (4 years): Educational Consultant & Family Advocate, Grades K-8. 

"Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give."  Ben Carson

Technology and Makerspace

Kelley Neubert 

Teacher, Years 5-9

M.S. Elementary Education, McDaniel College
B.S. Elementary Education and Spanish, Mount Saint Mary's University
Certifications: MSDE Certified Grades 1-6; Equity and Excellence in Education; STEM Instructional Leadership

Experience: NCCS (2 years): STEM teacher and interventionist for Years 1-9. Grades 2-4 (9 years) in Baltimore County, MD; the Archdiocese of Baltimore; and Carroll County Public Schools. Coach: Battle of the Book & Lego League

"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept."             Angela Davis

Art

Pam Newton

Art Teacher and Reading Specialist (Orton Gillingham)

A.A., Elementary Education, McDaniel College

Certifications: Special Education ParaProfessional, Carroll County Public Schools

Experience: NCCS (5 years) Years 1-9 Art Teacher and Interventionist. Grades 1-5, co-taught with teachers: reading comprehension, fluency, and writing. Conducted Wilson Reading System instruction in small groups; assessed decoding and encoding skills; reading tutor (10 years). Conducted after-school programs for math intervention (6 years). Special Education ParaProfessional with Carroll County Public Schools (21 years).

“Every child is an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once you grow up.” Pablo Picasso

NCCS Essentials

Leigh Ann Wingate

Teacher and Guidance Counselor

M.S. School Counseling, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania 
B.S. Psychology, Gannon University

Experience: NCCS (3 years): Counselor. Middle School Counselor, Baltimore County, MD (3 years)

"The world is full of kind people, if you can't find one, be one."  Unknown 

Hunter DeMarcy

PE Instructional Assistant

Experience: NCCS (1 year)

NCCS Works with the Target Community and Educational Services, Inc., organization. Hunter is a Target participant and supports our NCCS student community.

Jacqueline Dintino

School Nurse

Bachelor of Nursing Science, Maryland Nursing School, University of Maryland

Certifications: Maryland Board of Nursing License

Experience: NCCS School Nurse (5 years). Registered Nurse (27 years).

“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”

Gail Graham

Lunchroom Coordinator

Interpreter Preparation, Community College Baltimore County (CCBC). People Encouraging People, Carroll County Public School (CCPS) workshops.

Experience: NCCS (5 years). One-on-one personal assistant for a non-verbal student, CCPS (5 years). Taught student American Sign Language (ASL) to help her communicate with her parents and teachers.

Paul Havighurst

Building Supervisor, Marketing and Media Manager

Coursework: Washington School of Photography, Penn College of Technology

Experience: NCCS (4 years): Facility management, STEM teacher and program support, and marketing support. Graphic design (15+ years); Electrician (5 years); Print production (3 years); Retail sales and marketing (3 years).

Katie Haynie

Instructional Assistant

B.A. Recreation Therapy, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC

Certification: CDL-B School Bus Driver

Experience: Infant - Preschool age (7 years). Crossroads Community Church, MD: Preschool coordinator and class leader.

"…..beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will, too..."

Sandi Marsh

NCCS Shuttle Bus Driver (3 years)

What we think, we become. ~ Buddha 

Jessica Maszarose

Instructional Interventionist

B.S. Early Childhood Inclusive Education Birth-8 Years

Certifications: MSDE Certified Birth-8 Years, CPR/First Aid

Experience: NCCS (3 years): Intervenionist. Former Substitute, Second Grade and Preschool Teacher. 
Teaching abroad in Italy and Thailand.

"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning." Mr. Rogers

Aubry Mortimor
Real Life Connections (RLC) Coordinator

Business and Marketing Coursework, Shippensburg University

Certifications: International Air Transport Association (IATA) certificate.

Experience: NCCS (11 years): Real Life Connections Coordinator,  former NCCS Marketing Directory and Fundraising Coordinator. Small business consulting: marketing, graphic design, web design, and social media management (20+ years). Travel industry consultant (12+ years).

“Go Big or Go Home!”

Mark Sevilla

NCCS Shuttle Bus Driver (1 year)

Heather Ray

Executive Assistant

B.S. Legal Studies, University of Maryland Global Campus

Certifications: CPR

Experience: NCCS (2 years), PreK - Grade 5, Substitute Teaching (3 years), including special areas: Physical Education, Music, Health, and Art.

“Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.”

Rachel Stouffer

Fundraising and Marketing Director

M.Ed., Elementary Mathematics Leadership, McDaniel College
B.S. Early Childhood Education, Villa Julie College

Certifications: MSDE: Early Childhood Education Prek-3, Elementary Education Grades 1-8. Mathematics Instructional Leader Prek-8. Administrator I Supervisor and Assistant Principal Certification

Experience: NCCS (7 years): Marketing Director and Fundraising Coordinator, former Spanish teacher. Baltimore County Public Schools (1 year): Grade 3. Carroll County Public School Grades (8 years): K-5.  Carroll County Public Schools Title I Math Interventionist (2 years).

“The most important conversations you’ll ever have are the ones you’ll have with yourself.”