Leadership, Faculty & Staff
Facilitators at Springdale Preparatory School are hired to guide students to learn through inquiry and experience. They are not traditional teachers; they facilitate the learning process, offering direction, supervision, resources and experience to help students find their way and build on each and every educational and experiential encounter.
Our facilitators enable students to teach themselves, a skill that will guide them throughout their lifetime of learning. They learn to take an opportunity and build on it, to find value in every success and failure and use those lessons to take their study to the next level.
We hire gifted experts in industry, language, the arts and education, individuals who will propel Springdale students to think critically and innovatively in their studies. Additionally, they will encourage mindfulness, an integral part of the educational landscape at Springdale. Our students are well rounded and well prepared to be valued members of the workforce following their study at Springdale and wherever their future path leads.
Johnny Graham
HEAD OF SCHOOL/CEO
- American College of Education, Ed.D (Candidate Fall 2020), Organizational Leadership
- The George Washington University, MA, Educational Leadership
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, BA, History and Afro-American Studies
An experienced educational leader, Johnny Graham joined Springdale Preparatory School in July 2016 as its founding head of school. His diligent efforts are focused on building one of the area’s top boarding schools known around the globe for academic excellence and life preparedness. A boarding school alum himself, Mr. Graham has spent over 20 years immersed in independent school education with roles ranging from Residential Life Director, Summer Programs Director, Varsity Head Basketball Coach and History Department Chair to Dean of Students, Associate Head of School, and Head of School during his service at Christ School (Arden, NC), McCallie School (Chattanooga, TN), The Westminster Schools (Atlanta, GA) and Brandon Hall School (Atlanta, GA). At Springdale Preparatory School, Mr. Graham aims to provide a setting where students will demonstrate growth in academic environments, interpersonal communications, and life skills.
Springdale Preparatory School Leadership
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Lower School HeadErin Holden is a seasoned educator and professional development, coaching and mentoring expert leading Springdale Preparatory School as it opens its lower school program. She is leading the implementation of a project-based curriculum with assessment based on authentic observation of children engaged in play and exploration. She is implementing proven educational tools based on research and best practices and approaches teaching and learning at Springdale with that innovation at the forefront. She aims to fully engage families in their child's education and experience from the moment they join the Springdale program. Before joining Springdale Preparatory, Holden served as a professional development network trainer for Teaching Strategies, LLC, in Bethesda, Maryland.
Dean of StudentsTyrone Johnson is an experienced independent school dean who has served upper and middle independent schools. For 17 years, he held a variety of positions at Whitefield Academy in Mableton, Georgia. As dean of students, he managed upper school disciplinary programs, monitored academic enhancement programs and mentored male students as a form of discipleship. He also interviewed and trained new teachers in classroom management and provided leadership and direction for the upper school advisory system. He oversaw the honor council for the upper school and coordinated all academic support details for student athletes. Johnson served Whitefield as the head varsity boys basketball head coach and garnered several coaching awards. He serves as Springdale Preparatory School’s inaugural boys basketball coach this fall.
Dean of Curriculum and InstructionJill Krebs, Ph.D., an experienced academic counselor and program director who has published educational journal articles and ethnography, will serve as dean of Curriculum and Instruction beginning July 1. Krebs has spent more than 10 years in the educational arena, as instructor, learning specialist, academic counselor, program coordinator and director of various programs at several colleges on the East Coast. She looks forward to guiding the student population at Springdale as they learn and grow through their experiences, successes and failures, and prepare themselves to tackle life’s challenges as adults in our demanding and changing world.
Chief Operating OfficerD. Arthur Seibel is a seasoned business leader experienced in guiding corporate operations, strategic planning, expansion planning and executive management for a variety of organizations. His reputation is based on his creative and compliant approach to financial management both domestically and overseas. He has served in a variety of executive management positions for firms in industries ranging from banking, manufacturing, clothing, investment management and consulting. He holds board leadership and fellowship credentials from the National Association of Corporate Directors, is a certified public accountant through the Maryland State Board of Public Accountancy, and a certified financial planner through the CFP Board.
Dean of Student Culture and International ServicesHenry “Hanale” Vincent IV an experienced residential life and boarding school administrator, with varied roles over the last decade. His focus continues to identify, grow and maximize individual and collective potential and to develop future leaders in their local and global communities. Most recently, he served as vice principal of boarding on the middle school level for Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii. Vincent served as a middle school administrator responsible for professional development, leadership, curriculum, student safety and general oversight of 640 students. He was involved in program, policy and procedure development for middle school initiatives, and served as post-high counselor in the Career & Post-High Counseling Department.
Springdale Preparatory School Faculty
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World Languages FacilitatorAileen Chun, Ph.D., leads the development of the World Language program at Springdale including initial coursework in French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, and Chinese, in addition to bringing Arabic to Springdale Prep in 2019. Following high school, she studied abroad in France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Russia, England, and China. Chun is known for her work throughout China and Europe in assessment and articulation for multilingual strategies, bilingual/immersion education, and learning differences/special education. She has conducted research in comparative linguistics, literature, and languages. She is a certified instructor for English as a Second Language, AP French, German, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, and International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) courses. Bilingual in Chinese and English.
Arts Assistant Facilitator, Academic Office AssistantKrisha Davis serves as learning facilitator in the Arts and academic office assistant. A working artist, she has served in a variety of artistic capacities for local companies and used media as diverse as computer programs, foam core, insulation foam, cement, plaster, resin and lacquers, wood, and PVC. Her class programs incorporate various artists and genres to integrate artistic skills with cultural understanding. She emphasizes interdisciplinary learning through her approach to teaching art as well as through collaborations with colleagues in various disciplines. Davis also has experience tutoring a variety of subjects in a school setting, including Science, Math, Latin, Geography, History, English, and Art. She has managerial experience and also teaches fitness, motivating her students and creating results in their fitness level and diet.
History Learning FacilitatorMaxon Kasumba is a learning facilitator in the humanities, providing instruction in both history and English. He has extensive experience in teaching U.S. history, world history, Rwandan history and religious studies both domestically and internationally. For over nine years, Maxon has worked as a curriculum content specialist contracted by the Government of Rwanda, designing lesson plans and digital content material for middle and uppers school in Rwanda. In addition, he has served as dorm parent and coach at independent schools on the East Coast and abroad. Kasumba earned his instructional training from Makerere University Kampala in Uganda. He is keen to build mentoring relationships with students and to integrate hands-on learning experiences into the classroom.
Science Learning FacilitatorPatty Lutton brings years of experience as an independent school educator at all levels both abroad and in the United States. Using her background as a medical journal editor and from her work at the Smithsonian’s Insect Zoo in Washington D.C., she continues to create an environment where students experience the learning process. Lutton also brings experience as classroom teacher and tutor in a variety of subjects including history and English literature. She aims to combine her science experience, along with other interests, to connect with students through activities that may include theater costume design, set design, book club, quilting and community service.
Robotics CoachDavid Magaha serves as Springdale Preparatory School’s robotics and engineering specialist. Magaha brings to SPS a Master’s degree in computer science from Johns Hopkins University and more than 20 years of experience as a software engineer. He will work to establish the school’s robotics program to include academic instruction and the development of a competitive robotics team, which will compete locally, nationally and internationally.
Physical Education Facilitator, Head Boys' & Girls' Varsity Lacrosse CoachThomas Marechek is an experienced administrator, having supervised and coordinated athletic programs for professional sports clubs, private schools and summer sports camps. Marechek also has an extensive professional and collegiate lacrosse background. He is a member of the Baltimore, National and Canadian National Lacrosse Halls of Fame, a four-time NCAA All-American with Syracuse University and winner of 11 National Championships (collegiate and professional). His jersey (#42) was retired from the Philadelphia Wings National Lacrosse League franchise after being named All Pro for nine seasons. He also played for the Baltimore Bayhawks (four time All Pro), Team Toyota of the United States Club Lacrosse Association (six-time All Club) and the All World Team. Following his playing career, he has coached collegiate and high school athletes during competitions and training programs.
English Learning FacilitatorKathryn Nichols has served as a seasoned instructor at all secondary and college levels in the homeschool, public and private sector in Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties in Maryland. She has taught grammar, composition, literature, drama and writing. Nichols incorporates a myriad of strategies to promote student learning and skill-building. She focuses on elevating individual achievement and preparing students for real-world situations, emphasizing a team approach to education by drawing from the strengths and expertise of students, families, faculty, and staff. She believes in strengthening character by investing in students through extracurricular activities and mentor relationships. In her spare time, she volunteers for several local non-profit organizations.
Mathematics FacilitatorSobia Zia brings an interdisciplinary approach to mathematics at Springdale Preparatory School. She collaborates with learning facilitators in other areas to create cross-curricular projects for our students. Zia has experience working with students with learning differences, scaffolding their learning so that they can make step-by-step progress toward learning goals. . Zia received her Master’s degree in statistics at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad.
Lead Arts Facilitator and Thursday Enrichments CoordinatorJo Israelson plays an instrumental role in the development and expansion of Springdale Preparatory School’s performing arts curriculum to include theater arts, visual arts and music. Students have the opportunity to connect and study under a variety of local artists as they develop skills unique to their discipline of emphasis. She is an accomplished artist who has received acclaim for her work in a variety of media including film, mixed media and sculpture. She has served as an artist in education at schools throughout Maryland.
Springdale Preparatory School Staff
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Human Resources OfficerDanna L. Blum is a human resources leader with a strong record of achievement in a wide range of HR areas including benefits and compensation, policies and procedures, recruitment and development, performance management, employee relations, legal compliance and conflict resolution. For more than 20 years, she has worked closely with executive management on strategic initiatives in order to further corporate goals in a variety of settings. She served as HR project lead for Change, Inc., where she configured, implemented and managed HR systems and provided HR management support in employee relations, benefit administration and training. She also served The Arc of Carroll County as director of human resources for eight years, directing staff recruiting, employee relations, EEO and Worker’s Compensation. Blum holds senior level certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and serves on the board of directors of the Carroll County SHRM.
Director of Counseling ServicesFor more than 15 years, Michaela King has advocated for children and adults in a variety of situations of need. As a social worker for Fresno County Child Welfare, King advocated for abused and neglected children. She also served as a rehabilitation counselor for an adult facility in Novato, California, and a youth counselor in Floral City, Florida. She has a passion for helping individuals better themselves through reflective insight and confidence in personal strengths and abilities.
Master ChefA chef and manager throughout the East Coast, David Luscher serves as Springdale Preparatory School’s lead chef. His culinary program uses fresh ingredients and offers creative and healthy menu options that excites students, parents, and faculty. Luscher’s award-winning food service career spans school culinary management on preparatory school and college campuses and restaurant executive chef experience. Prior to joining Springdale Prep, he spent more than seven years with Metz Culinary Management, where he assisted in developing the company’s food standards and received multiple awards. He was chef and manager at a college preparatory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he implemented many new programs, including a food composting program and a salsa garden where students were able to grow, cook, and eat their own produce. He is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York.
Director of Institutional AdvancementNeal Roop is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive institutional advancement programs, including annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, major gifts and gift planning, endowments, capital campaigns, and alumni and constituent relations efforts. Roop works closely with the Carroll Community Foundation to supplement tuition for students in Carroll County through the Supporting Potential Scholars Fund and generate funds to support future construction. Prior to joining Springdale Preparatory School, he served in an administrative capacity with the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Corporation. Previously, Roop served for eight years as a manager for the Carroll Area Transit System. Roop currently is serving his ninth year as mayor of New Windsor, representing and advocating for the town. He supervises financial decisions, future locality planning and public relations. He is a member of Leadership Carroll through the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, holds PennSCORE Master Trainer Certification through PennTRAIN-PennSCORE and is an advanced Public Information Officer (PIO) through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Head Varsity Baseball CoachChris Wooden serves as the SPS head varsity baseball coach, bringing with him years of experience as both a former college, high school and travel player and coach. With proven success as an individual skills coach to players of multiple ages, Wooden is dedicated building a strong, competitive baseball program that not only advances team members athletically, but also develops character both on and off the field. Building individual skills, fostering team mentality, and teaching game strategy are important aspects of the program. His belief that participation in high school athletics teaches valuable life lessons, such as leadership and respect, drives him to help players learn from the wins as well as the losses and to uphold Springdale’s values of respect, lifelong learning, and innovation. Wooden is a Level 1 Accredited Interscholastic Coach as well as a Level 2 Certified Interscholastic Coach through the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Dual Diploma Program DirectorAs Dual Diploma Program director, Yuan collaborates to ensure that Dual Diploma Program students from the World Foreign Language School (WFLS) in Shanghai, China, engage in a comprehensive American cultural experience while completing summer curricular requirements at Springdale Preparatory School. Additionally, Yuan leads all aspects of WFLS student care and safety during each cohort's stay at SPS. WFLS students who have satisfied SPS Dual Diploma Program requirements, will be awarded a Springdale Preparatory School diploma and their Chinese International Baccalaureate certificate in a unique Shanghai ceremony.