HCPSSMeet HCPSS’ New 2023-2024 Principals
October 5th, 2023
HCPSS welcomed 12 new principals this school year. Each one brings a different set of experiences to the job, and they all share a passion for serving their students, staff, and communities. Learn more about our new principals below.
Stephanie Barber-Wehrman, Guilford Elementary School
Mrs. Barber-Wehrman’s career in education began over 17 years ago and includes being an elementary educator, an instructional resource teacher supporting educators, and an assistant principal. Prior to joining HCPSS, she served as the principal at a Title I Community School in Prince George’s County Public Schools for seven years.
What she’s excited about: “I’m excited for the 2023-2024 school year. I’m looking forward to building relationships with staff, students, families and the community. With a lens on equity and creating a culture of belonging, I am focused on developing teams, partnerships, and structures to support stakeholders and build community.”
Katie Carter, Stevens Forest Elementary School
Mrs. Carter has 19 years of experience in education. She began her teaching career in Loudoun County, Va., then relocated to Maryland and served in various capacities in Howard County schools, including instructional team leader, fifth-grade teacher, elementary mathematics support teacher and assistant principal. Most recently, she served as the assistant principal at Stevens Forest Elementary School.
What she’s excited about: “Words cannot express how honored and proud I am to begin my journey as a principal at Stevens Forest Elementary School. Over the years, I have grown to know the Stevens Forest community well by serving SFES in various roles, and I care deeply about our students, staff, and families. Stevens Forest holds a special place in my heart, and I consider myself a bobcat for life.”
Steven Fleming, Howard High School
Mr. Fleming has served HCPSS for 16 years and is a graduate of Glenelg High School. He began his teaching career at Oakland Mills High School and subsequently served as assistant principal at Hammond and Oakland Mills high schools.
What he’s excited about: “It is a pleasure getting to know all of the awesome members of the Howard High School community. Each of our students come to us with unique hopes and dreams. We are looking forward to celebrating their successes toward achieving those dreams throughout the school year. Go Lions!”
Leslie Harmon, Talbott Springs Elementary School
Mrs. Harmon’s career in education includes 20 years with HCPSS, where she has served as a Special Education teacher, instructional team leader, Special Education resource teacher, assistant principal, and most recently an instructional facilitator for elementary schools with HCPSS’ Office of Special Education.
What she’s excited about: “I am grateful to have been selected as the principal of Talbott Springs. I have supported TSES in different capacities over the last several years, and I am humbled to serve as the principal in this amazing community. I look forward to celebrating student success and getting to know the community that I serve.”
Kelly Hearns, Patapsco Middle School
Mrs. Hearns has worked in public education for 24 years, with 20 years at HCPSS. Mrs. Hearns has taught middle and high school social studies in Prince George’s County and Howard County and held the position of assistant principal at four HCPSS high schools. Recently, she served as acting principal at River Hill High School.
What she’s excited about: “The students, staff and families at Patapsco Middle School are amazing! I look forward to learning more about our students so that our staff can meet their academic and social emotional needs. It is important for students to experience success and make a connection at school so that they will want to come back and be a part of a thriving school community. I am excited about the journey ahead.”
Vanya Jackson, Longfellow Elementary School
Mrs. Jackson has been a public school educator for 21 years, with 18 of those years in the Howard County Public School System. She has been an educator at four schools where she served as an elementary school teacher, team leader, assistant principal at two schools, and now as the proud principal of Longfellow Elementary School.
What she’s excited about: “Elementary school is the essential foundation and starting point to the road map to success! I look forward to every student, staff and family member experiencing a place of belonging at Longfellow ES, celebrating and valuing diversity and playing a vital role in the growth of our students. [It is my hope that] we prepare our students to be ‘life ready,’ and leave Longfellow possessing the skills and knowledge to excel to the next level of academic achievement.”
James McVey IV, Elkridge Landing Middle School
Mr. McVey started his education experience at ELMS as a student intern in the spring of 2007. He also served as a social studies teacher at Patuxent Valley and Mayfield Woods middle schools. More recently, he served as an assistant principal at Wilde Lake and Oakland Mills middle schools.
What he’s excited about: “I am proud to be the principal of Elkridge Landing Middle School! This is the community I got my start in as a student teacher. I look forward to being an advocate for all kids and working with staff to foster an environment of achievement, social well-being, and opportunity. I am honored to be able to serve this great community and look forward to working with families to prepare our students for high school and beyond.”
Heather Moraff, Hammond Elementary School
Mrs. Moraff began her teaching career in 2005 at Gorman Crossing Elementary School and then became an instructional team leader. She later transferred to Swansfield Elementary School where she served as a third grade teacher, Title I intervention teacher and assistant principal. She has spent the last seven years as an assistant principal at Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School.
What she’s excited about: “I look forward to focusing on my relationships and connections with students, staff and families in the Hammond community! Together, we will build a culture of showing up for our students each and every day. In the words of Mary Kay, ‘Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, “Make me feel important.” Never forget this message when working with people.’ As a leader, I strive to make each member of the school community feel important and valued!”
Debra O’Byrne, West Friendship Elementary School
Dr. O’Byrne started teaching elementary school in Baltimore City Public Schools before moving to teach and lead for Howard County Public Schools at the elementary and middle school levels. She has served HCPSS for 30 years, most recently as assistant principal of Dunloggin Middle School before being promoted to principal of West Friendship Elementary School. Dr. O’Byrne has two daughters that attended Howard County public schools.
What she’s looking forward to: “As principal of West Friendship Elementary School, I believe every child deserves a champion. All stakeholders—teachers, parents, and community members—must make connections to build relationships to ensure that all children become the best they can be. I look forward to championing children and partnering with parents and guardians on their child’s educational journey.”
Alexcia Redd, Veterans Elementary School
Ms. Redd is a 21-year veteran of public education in Howard County. She just completed her seventh year serving as an Assistant Principal. Previously, she served as a Title I teacher and a classroom teacher at Deep Run, St. John’s Lane, and Cradlerock elementary schools.
What she’s excited about: “My motto is best stated by U.S. President Warren G. Harding, ‘Every student has the ability to be a successful learner,’ and I believe all children should receive an exemplary education in an environment that is caring and inclusive. This school year, I am enthusiastic about establishing meaningful relationships with students, staff members, families and other members of our school community. Together we will work to ensure that our students thrive in a supportive and inclusive learning environment where everyone feels valued.”
Richard Smart, Patuxent Valley Middle School
Mr. Smart began his education career in 2000 as a middle school history teacher in his hometown of Birmingham, United Kingdom. After moving to Maryland, he was a social studies teacher at
Oakland Mills High School, and then a leadership Intern and assistant principal at Reservoir, Long Reach, and Oakland Mills high schools.
What he’s excited about: “Sometimes you get exactly what you wanted, and becoming principal at Patuxent Valley is precisely that for me. This year being #BulldogStrong at PVMS means putting relationships, learning, and structure first in all we do. [PVMS mascot] Bruno and all our staff and students are going to have a great year!”
Adrienne Williams-McKinney, Dayton Oaks Elementary School
Ms. Williams-McKinney has 26 years of classroom and leadership experience, including 23 years with HCPSS. She has served as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, reading recovery teacher and Title I teacher at multiple schools. She also served as a leadership intern at Phelps Luck Elementary School and assistant principal at Bryant Woods and Dayton Oaks elementary schools
What she’s excited about: “It is an honor to serve as principal at Dayton Oaks Elementary School. I look forward to continuing to foster a school community where students, staff and families recognize and embrace the importance of relationships, reflective and inclusive practices, and results-driven decision making in order to promote success for all students. Through these combined efforts, I will strive to create a nurturing and inspirational educational journey for all of our students.”