Special Ed.

Welcome to the Special Education Department!

SPED Logo

Department Chair: Michelle Hubbard

IEP Chair: Coming Soon

Message From the Department

Our department has a dedicated staff of teachers, case managers, para educators, aides, and an office assistant to help you and your child become successful academically and socially. Please email Ms. Hubbard, the Chairperson of Special Education, if you have any concerns regarding your child’s services or progress. You may also reach any of the department’s teachers through email.


These Special Education Teachers are listed on their Academic Department Pages!
 
Click to navigate to their pages!

English

  • Matt Janansky
  • Abraham Jones
  • Donna Wilson

Math

  • Deidre Thomas
  • Michael Carter
  • Barry Barnes

Science

  • David Fuller

Social Studies

  • Joshua Mauk


Meet our Department Members Below!

Hubbard

Name

Michelle Hubbard

Email

[email protected] 

Position

Special Ed Department Chair

College(s) Attended

Randolph-Macon College - English (BA)

University of Phoenix – Curriculum and Instruction: ELA (MA)

George Washington University – Special Education and Transition Services (MA)

Liberty University (currently) – Curriculum and Instruction: Special Education (EdD)

Hometown

Baltimore, Maryland

Bio: Hello, my name is Michelle Hubbard and I started at WHS in 2019! I have been in the field of education for over 14 years and it is a pleasure to work with the dedicated professionals and students here. This is also my second time working at Woodlawn High School!  

I enjoy reading, visiting museums, going to be the beach and relaxing with my husband and three sons.

 

(Coming Soon)

Name

Carmen Allocca

Email

[email protected]

Position

Paraeducator

College(s) Attended

Towson University -

Art Education Major

Hometown

Baltimore, MD

Bio: Hello fellow Warriors.  My name is Miss Allocca.  I am a WHS graduate.  I returned to WHS in 2009, as a paraeducator, in Special Education.  Before returning to WHS, I was on Dance Faculty at Baltimore School for the Arts.  I enjoy travelling and relaxing with family and friends. 



Ms. Hendrickson

Name

Melody Hendrickson

Email

[email protected]

Classes Taught

FALS English

FALS Social Studies

FALS Career Research & Dev

College(s) Attended

Seton Hall Univ./Ashford Univ.

Hometown

Morristown, New Jersey

Bio: My name is Ms. Hendrickson and I am a teacher in the FALS program under the special education department. I have been a Woodlawn Warrior for over 20 years! I am also the co-advisor for the Class of 2023.

Some of my favorite things to do is bake and try new recipes. I also like to read and being outdoors.



Harrison

Name

Shanaye Harrison

Email

[email protected]

Position

Paraeducator

College(s) Attended

BCCC
Coppin State University

Hometown

Baltimore, MD

Bio: My name is Miss. Harrison, and I am in the special education department. I began working in education in 2017 and it has been one of the greatest decisions I've made! I am also a proud alumni of Woodlawn High! Class of 2008! Warrior at heart! I love to write poetry, I love to sing, I love doing hair and lashes. Fun Fact: Authentic Mexican food is my favorite!




Mcleod Royster

Name

Adora Mcleod-Royster

Email

[email protected]

Position

Special Educator

College(s) Attended

University of Phoenix
Coppin State University
CCBC
BCCC

Hometown

Coming Soon

Bio: My name is Ms. Mcleod-Royster. I love what I do. Every day is a new day of opportunity for growth and development. All we can do is take it one day at a time. Together, we can create the school/world we need!



Mensah

Name

Towanda Mensah

Email

[email protected]

Position

Paraeducator

College(s) Attended

Coppin State University

Hometown

Baltimore, Maryland

Bio: My name is Ms. Towanda Mensah and I am in the Special Education Department. I am grateful to be apart of the WHS Team.

I enjoy being in nature and spending time with my family. I recently started working with clay, making all sorts of things.  It is very therapeutic!



  Ms. Mwai

 

Name

Lucy Mwai

Email

[email protected]

Position

Special Educator- FALS Program

College(s) Attended

Coppin State University (BS)

Towson University (M. Ed)

Hometown

Baltimore, Maryland

Bio: My name is Ms. Lucy Mwai and I am a certified teacher in the Special Education Department, FALS Program.

I love traveling, cooking, reading and learning new cultures. I love the ocean but am terrified of snorkeling.



Segal

Name

Lindsay Segal

Email

[email protected]

Classes Taught/

Position

SPED Teacher 

College(s) Attended

West Virginia University (BS)

Notre Dame of Maryland (MS)

Hometown

Charlottesville, VA

Bio: My name is Mrs. Segal and I am in the special education department. I’ve been a teacher for over 10 years!

My family and I live in Catonsville, MD however, I’ve traveled a lot and have lived in 9 different states across the US and in two different countries! I enjoy all forms of music, watching movies and TV, reading, playing with my daughter and taking my dog for walks. My favorite part of teaching is getting to know you, the students!



Sivels

Name

Marcus Sivels

Email

[email protected]

Classes Taught/

Position

Special Educator

SCLS Program

College(s) Attended

Delaware State University (BS)

Grand Canyon University (MS)

Hometown

Randallstown, MD

My name is Marcus Sivels and I am a special educator at WHS. I am a proud BCPS alum, receiving my diploma from Milford Mill Academy in 2003. My loves are family, music, good food, and watching students reach their goals. One fun fact about me is I helped deliver my daughter into this world in 2017 in a secluded parking lot. 



Strom

Name

Bryan Strom

Email

[email protected]

Classes Taught

Economic Theory and Personal Finance

Living Systems

And I help in Introduction to Physics and Chemistry

College(s) Attended

Bachelors of Science from Towson State University

Masters of Arts from Towson University

Hometown

Mason, Michigan

Bio: My name is Mr. Strom and I teach special education at Woodlawn High School.  This is my 20th plus year in education.

Hobbies: Gaming, skiing, camping.

Interesting Facts: One of my ancestors served on Blackbeard’s ship as the Quartermaster.  I’m also distantly related to some very important English nobility.  I also know how to drive a manual transmission car.



Towson

Name

Lauren Towson

Email

[email protected]

Position

Special Education

College(s) Attended

Towson University (BS)

Towson (MS)

Hometown

Merrick, NY

My name is Mrs. Lauren Towson and I have been in the special education department at WHS since 2019.

I am married with two kids. Most of my spare time is spent doing things with my family. I love to read and watch documentaries. I also love swimming. I am really looking forward to this year! ðŸ˜Š



Valchar

Name

Doug Valchar

Email

[email protected]

Position

School Psychologist

College(s) Attended

Wake Forest University – B.A.

Gallaudet University – Psy.S., school psychology

Hometown

Near Chicago, Illinois

Bio: Hello, I am eager to return to WHS as the psychologist, where I served 2004-2014. This will be my 28th year with Balt. County, and 34th as a psychologist. I have worked in several settings (high, middle, elementary, alternative high, County detention center, infant-toddler, deaf / sign-language resource), and consider my previous 10 years at WHS to have been my favorite, working with my favorite staff and students in my career.

 

Prior to BCPS, I worked at a college prep-school and a state school for the deaf & blind. Currently, I lecture in psychology a few evenings a week in college at Towson University and UMBC. Interests and hobbies include weight-lifting, “old-school” movies and music, road-trips, and being with my wife, and my daughters who are studying to work in education as well.  Weird fact – I got kicked-out of college, and then people helped me get back on track, and I am blessed to help others bounce back from challenges they may experience.