Meet the Summer Mentor Team!
Back row, left to right:
Elisabeth Wojcik
What do you currently teach? 4th grade at Alexander Hamilton
Where are you from? I'm from Rochester, New York but went to school in Chicago (Northwestern University) and majored in psych (minored in
history).
What is a fun fact about you? I used to compete in biathlons (about a lifetime ago)!
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? Meeting new people passionate about teaching kids in Baltimore!
What else do you want to tell Cohort 2016? I'm so excited to see you and am grateful you are coming to Baltimore! Please take advantage of your
mentor and use them as you navigate through Urban Teachers and Baltimore City Public Schools.
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? Stress management :) Classroom management
Shakeia Barron
What do you currently teach? I teach 5th Grade ELA/Social Studies at Friendship Academy at Cherry Hill.
Where are you from? I am originally from Newark, NJ and I attended Penn State University. I graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a bachelors
degree in Elementary Education.
What is a fun fact about you? Fun fact about me is that I have never rode a roller coaster in my life and I definitely plan to keep it that way!
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? I am most excited about getting to know residents of the 2016 cohort, and being able to provide
assistance where I can. I remember coming into this program so nervous and with so many questions, so I am ecstatic about being that go to person for some of you to calm your nerves just a little!
What else do you want to tell Cohort 2016? I am looking forward to getting to know all of you and welcome to Baltimore!!
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? I am able to support in whatever you may need me to during office hours,
but I specialize in classroom management and lesson planning.
Hillary Muñoz
What do you currently teach? Special Education (push in/pull out) 4th and 5th grade at Highlandtown Elementary/Middle #237.
Where are you from? I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I graduated from the University of Michigan with two majors: Spanish language &
literature and English language & literature.
What is a fun fact about you? I lived in Australia for 6 months as an exchange student when I was a sophomore in high school.
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? I am excited to help support Cohort 2016 as they begin their journey with Urban Teachers. I am
looking forward to helping them build a community within their PLC.
What else do you want to tell Cohort 2016? Be flexible and stay organized!
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? lesson planning, classroom management, work/life balance, coursework
Erika Walther
What do you currently teach? I've taught 5th grade math and science the last 2 years.
Where are you from? I am originally from Baltimore. I graduated in 2011 from Towson University with a degree in Communication.
What is a fun fact about you? I love to rock climb!
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? This is my second year as a mentor. I'm excited to watch you all transform into amazing urban
teachers!
What else do you want to tell Cohort 2016? This is going to be the most challenging, but most rewarding year of your life! You will learn not only
about the students you serve, but about yourself.
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? Lesson planning, unpacking common core, teaching math lessons (upper
elementary and middle school), classroom management, time management, work/life balance, stress management/self care, written assignments for coursework.
Heather Rein
What do you currently teach? I teach 3rd grade all subjects at Curtis Bay Elementary Middle School.
Where are you from? I am from New Jersey, right across the bridge from Philadelphia (GO EAGLES!) I attended the University of Scranton for
undergrad. I majored in psychology and minored in counseling and human services.
What is a fun fact about you? A fun fact about me is that I have traveled to over 10 countries in two years. On one of these adventures I backpacked
the southern coast of Australia!
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? I am most excited about fostering a love for not only the schools in Baltimore City but the City itself!
What else do you want to tell Cohort 2016? The best advice I was given and hope to pass on to Cohort 2016 is pick one thing that you want to do for
yourself everyday and never give that up!
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? During office hours specific help topics that I plan to support with are
classroom management, lesson planning, and classroom organization. Although these are my three strengths, I am open to assist with any and all concerns!
Kyair Butts, Lead Summer Mentor
What do you currently teach? I teach fourth and fifth grade language arts, reading and social studies at Friendship Preparatory Academy at
Calverton #75 in Baltimore, MD.
Where are you from? I'm originally from Des Moines, IA (yes, the "big nose" looking state that you fly over on your way to the West Coast or East
Coast). I attended Drake University (located in Des Moines) where I studied psychology and journalism.
What is a fun fact about you? A range of fun facts: a took flying lessons as a kid to learn how to fly propeller planes. I am a brown belt with a black
stripe. I have biked across the state of Iowa twice as part of the newspaper's annual great bike ride. I also like, nay LOVE gummy snacks.
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? I am truly excited to begin helping new teachers fully realize their "WHY I got into teaching" and
help them fulfill a promise to kids in Baltimore City: a great teacher every time.
What else do you want to tell Cohort 2016? This summer will be hard, but in the seeds of stress and strife, fruit will be borne and this is just the
beginning of what will become a life-changing event in your life. Welcome to the profession. I'm glad you came.
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? I am adept at planning language arts and reading lessons that
incorporate rigorous Common Core State Standards and have ample amounts of "joy factors" where students and the teacher can be creative in the learning process so it's not so rote.
Front row, left to right:
Tifany Sikich
What do you currently teach? I teach 5th grade social studies, science and literacy at Holabird Academy in East Baltimore.
Where are you from? I am from Kenosha, Wisconsin (Home of the Mars Cheese Castle). I studied Anthropology with a certificate in African Studies
from the University of Wisconsin.
What is a fun fact about you? I have a wierd obsession with grocery shopping. I can also do a really good but embarrassing impression of Garth
from Wayne's World.
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? Getting to know new people that have similar passions and growing a professional network.
What else do you want to tell Cohort 2016?
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? Lesson planning, problem solving in how to communicate professionaly,
BALTIMORE, honestly anything but I really like planning and brainstorming.
Amanda Eich
What do you currently teach? Pre-kindergarten all subjects at Curtis Bay Elementary Middle
Where are you from? I am originally from a small town in northeast Pennsylvania. I went to college at Susquehanna University where I majored in
Neuroscience and minored in health care studies. While at Susquehanna, I played on the women's varsity basketball team and served as an assistant coach. I was also a member of Alpha Phi Omega community service fraternity.
What is a fun fact about you? I can make balloon animals.
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? I'm excited to be a part of the process that grows great teachers for our kids in this city. I can't wait
to see my residents grow and have their own a-ha moments on this journey.
What else do you want to tell Cohort 2016? Get ready for an amazing summer! It will not be easy, but you will have all the support you need.
Congratulations on choosing the most rewarding career and best pathway to get there.
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? "Organize" is one of my favorite words. I plan on being a big help to
people who struggle with time management, planning and scheduling for their own work load, and balancing work, school, and some sort of recreation.
Kathleen O'Connor
What do you currently teach? Special Education, kindergarten through second grade
Where are you from? I grew up in Frederick, Maryland, which is about an hour west of Baltimore. I went to school at Holy Cross in Worcester, MA
and majored in classics and art history.
What is a fun fact about you? I studied in Athens and Rome in college.
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? I'm so excited to meet you all and hear about what brought you to Baltimore to work in our schools!
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? I can provide supports in lesson planning, small group instruction,
breaking down instruction into smaller components, and finding ways to make more difficult abstract concepts more concrete and tangible.
Jerae Kelly, Lead Summer Mentor
What do you currently teach? I teach Special Education Algebra 1 at Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove.
Where are you from? I grew up outside of Seattle, Washington. I attended The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. I played on the
soccer team and my major was Middle Eastern Studies. I worked for a year in Seattle before moving to Baltimore to begin Urban Teachers.
What is a fun fact about you? I was in the circus club at The Evergreen State College so I have a few tricks that I can surprise my students with
from time to time.
Why are you excited to work with Cohort 2016? As someone who uprooted and moved across the country to begin this work, I look forward to
connecting with people from all different parts of the country in making them feel welcomed and supporting them in any way I can.
What else do you want to tell Cohort 2016? You all have made such a great choice in joining the Urban Teachers team! I am looking forward to
meeting you all and helping you navigate the summer. :)
What specific help topics can do you plan to support during office hours? I can help with any coursework, getting to know Baltimore, and special
education questions/concerns.