Youth Programming Instructors
Youth Programming Instructors
Elizabeth McDonald
Mrs. McDonald earned her B.S. in chemistry from Wake Forest University and her M.Ed. from Marymount University. She is the recipient of the 2022-2023 Washington County Public School Teacher of the Year award and currently teaches at Boyd J. Michael III Technical High School. As a National Board-Certified teacher and a self-proclaimed joyful science nerd, she currently teaches Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovations. Over 25 years of teaching high school science, Mrs. McDonald has taught chemistry, forensic science, and anatomy and physiology. Her driving force within science is sharing the joy of discovery and a sense of wonder about science and medicine.
Cayla Mayo
Ms. Mayo has her A.A.T. from Hagerstown Community College and is pursuing her career in early childhood education at Frostburg State University. She has completed several child development courses and will utilize her hands-on experience with children as she enters her first year with the HCC summer enrichment program. Ms. Mayo is looking forward to teaching and creating a week of new and fun experiences with the students.
Biju Pandit
Mr. Pandit has an A.A. in Visual Communications from the Maryland School of Art and Design and 30 years of experience within the field of creative production. He is a small business owner and brings his experience and expertise back to the campus of HCC this summer. His passion of mentoring youth people in the creative space is the foundation for each of his classes.
Heather Lee Perry
Ms. Perry has a B.S. in theatre production and management as well as a certificate in pastry and culinary arts. She is the Artistic Director at Apollo Civic Theatre, the founding Artistic Director at The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company, and the playwright of 5 produced plays. Ms. Perry will enter her second year of teaching for the College for Kids program bringing her creativity, enthusiasm, and a unique perspective to the arts program.
Steve Schaefer
Mr. Shaefer has an M.A. in art education and a B.A. in photography. He has taught various art and photography courses to students in grades 3-12 and cultivated student interest in art and photography with the College for Kids program for the last ten years. In his spare time, Mr. Shaefer pursues his passion for creating art, taking photos, and riding and training horses.
Terry Shade
Mrs. Shade earned her B.S. from Frostburg State University and later earned a Master’s Equivalency. She is a retired elementary school teacher of 36 years, has substitute taught for the last five years and is returning to the College for Kids summer program for her seventh year. Her excitement for Legos® and watching students create with them will continue to be her driving force in the Lego® robotics classes.
Don Thompson
Mr. Thompson is a playwright, filmmaker, and screenwriter. His plays have been produced from coast-to-coast, and his films as a producer and/or filmmaker have screened and won awards worldwide. As a screenwriter, he has also won numerous awards and recognition. In addition, Don has produced two plays with the Maryland Ensemble Theater and mentored students both at UCLA and locally in Maryland and Washington DC. He received both his BA (in film) and Master's (in Theater Arts) from UCLA, where he graduated with high honors. You can find his website at www.nextpixprods.com
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Ellen Burke
Ms. Burke received her B.A in theater from Millsaps College and her M.A. in Drama Therapy from Kansas State University. As a professional, Ms. Burke has taught theater off and on for 15 years, spent six years as a special education teacher and various other roles within schools for 10 years. Currently, she is an elementary teacher fulltime. She will enter her second year as a teacher for the HCC summer enrichment program and looks forward to sharing something that she loves with students and watching them discover and progress in their passion for theater too.
College for Kids (Grades 2-8)
College for Kids summer camp has been providing generations with learning opportunities, a 30+ year tradition that will continue. Students will engage in hands-on education that centers around the...
College for Kids summer camp has been providing generations with learning opportunities, a 30+ year tradition that will continue. Students will engage in hands-on education that centers around the...
Discovery Academy (Grades 9-12)
Discovery Academy offers a week-long camp that immerses high school students, grades 9 through 12, within a career field of their choice. Unsure of what you want to do? That’s okay! Try a few.
Discovery Academy offers a week-long camp that immerses high school students, grades 9 through 12, within a career field of their choice. Unsure of what you want to do? That’s okay! Try a few.