Award Winning Team
Our team was recognized by the State of Maryland with an Official Citation for their distinguished service to essential first responding and front line working families during the 2020 pandemic.
Perry Hall Team
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Ms. Rachael
Position: Director
Education: Salisbury University
Years in Education: 5
Background: Ms. Rachael began with Active Minds all the way back at the beginning in 2016, when she was in High School and partially through college. She rejoined the team in Spring of 2024. Ms. Rachael oversees, and supports, all programs at our Perry Hall location.
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Ms. Logan
Position: Teacher
Education: Towson University
Background: Ms. Logan started with Active Minds in the summer of 2021, while attending Towson University as an education major. She graduated and currently is a 4th/5th math teacher in Baltimore County Public Schools. Ms. Logan recently gave birth to her first daughter, Harley. Campers love her big personality and fun activities she plans at camp!
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Ms. Gillian
Position: Preschool Assistant Teacher / School Age Teacher
Background: Ms. Gillian joined the Active Minds team in the summer of 2023, where she supported teachers at camp and on trips. That Fall, Ms. Gillian began supporting our preschool program at Perry Hall, helping with daily instruction, small group, and field trips….while also support school age aftercare as well. Ms. Gillian is a certified teacher via the Maryland State Department of Education’s Office of Childcare.
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Mr. Tony
Position: Support Staff
Background: Mr. Tony joining Active Minds in the summer of 2024. He supports the teachers in the room, on field trips and in Aftercare during the school year. Mr. Tony is currently a “additional assistant” at Seven Oaks Elementary.
Parkville Team
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Ms. Diana
Position: Director
Education:
Years in Education: 6 years
Background: Ms. Diana joined Active Minds in 2022, where she quickly rose to the Director of our Parkville location. Known to the children for her silly and fun antics, as well as her caring touch. Ms. Diana oversees, and supports, all programs at Parkville including aftercare and summer camp.
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Ms. Shanelle
Position: Senior Support Staff
Years in Education: 5 years
Background: Now finishing her fifth year as an Additional Assistant in the classroom at Seven Oaks Elementary, Ms. Shanelle is a camper favorite. Working in both our before/aftercare and summer learning program, Ms. Shanelle enjoys introducing our campers to her passion...baking! Weather working with small groups on a no bake Oreo cheesecake, or snowmen cake pops for the Holidays, you can be sure campers will be learning about something tasty.
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Ms. Cassandra
Position: Teacher
Education: Towson University
Background: Ms. Cass joined Active Minds in the Spring of 2024 as she was finishing her Junior year of course work at Towson University. She quickly found a niche as a camper favorite on field trips and in the classroom when doing English Language Arts with the kids during summer.
During the school year she continues to support Parkville in the aftercare program.
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Mr. Alex
Position: Support Staff
Education: Mount St. Mary’s University
Background: Mr. Alex found Active Minds in 2022 and joined us for summer camp that year. Each year, while home from Mt. St. Mary’s, where he studies neurobiology, he returns as a camper favorite.
Lutherville Team
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Mr. Adam
Position: Director / Teacher
Years in Education:
Background: Mr. Adam joined our team in the Fall of 2022 when deciding to change careers and follow his passion…teaching!
Mr. Adam is usually seen lead our Lutherville kids on field trips through the summer and school year….while support preschool and running aftercare. He is a camper favorite!
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Mrs. Alyssa
Position: Preschool Teacher
Education: Towson University
Background: Ms. Alyssa fell in love with teaching while in high school and working with kids as part of a internship at the John Archer School. This led her on a path to the classroom via Towson University. Ms. Alyssa spent two years as a special educator in the Howard County Public School System at Duckett’s Lane Elementary. In August of 2024, Ms. Alyssa joined Active Minds to lead the new Preschool at Lutherville.
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Ms. Olivia
Position: School Age Teacher
Years in Education: 3 years
Background: Ms. Olivia joined Active Minds in 2022, and immediately began support teachers during summer and aftercare. She has since become a certified school age teacher via the Maryland State Department’s Office of Childcare. You can find her each day helping kids with homework, running activities and supporting Mr. Adam on field trips.
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Ms. Nicole
Position: Teacher (Summer)
Education: Towson University
Background: Ms. Nicole joined Active Minds in 2022, while attending Towson University. She started by supporting our Digital Learning Program during the pandemic. Since then, Ms. Nicole has served as a teacher in our summer programs, while serving the students of Frederick County Public Schools…where she is a guidance counselor.
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Ms. Erin
Position: Support Staff
Years in Education: 2 years
Background: Ms. Erin joined Active Minds after Mr. Mike interviewed her as part of a program with Baltimore County Public Schools for senior interviews. While this program is simply practice, he was so impressed with her that she joined Active Minds immediately. A camp favorite, especially with the girls, you will find her supporting field trips and teachers in the summer….as well as helping Mr. Adam throughout the year with aftercare.
Bel Air Team
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Ms. Ashlyn
Position: Teacher
Education: Towson University
Background: Ms. Ashlyn joined Active Minds in the Fall of 2023 as a teacher in our aftercare program here in Bel Air, while working in Harford County Public Schools as a Physical Education teacher. You will find Ms. Ashlyn running large group games with kids, or leading field trips….weather its summer or school year!
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Mr. Cole
Position: Director (Summer)
Education: Towson University
Background: Mr. Cole joined Active Minds way back in 2018 when he was freshet of school and a new teacher in Baltimore County Public Schools. He has since rose to directing our Bel Air location in the summer. A legend to campers over the years….Mr. Cole personifies what it takes to be a great educator with his caring and silly behavior that engages kids in the joy of learning.
Field Trip Specialists
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Ms. Valerie
Trip Specialist
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Mr. Shawn
Trip Specialist
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Mr. Vaughn
Trip Specialist
Team Leaders
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Mr. Mike
Position: Executive Director
Education: University of Maryland
Years in Education: 12 years
Background: Mr. Mike spent 12 years in both Baltimore and Harford County Public Schools as a science teacher and special educator.
For nearly a decade, Mr. Mike worked at a special school that focused on experiential learning, connecting field trips to learning in the classroom. From, museums to kayaking to rock climbing and rappelling field trips we’re a weekly focus. During this time, Mr. Mike became an expert in risk assessment and field trip design. As one of the founding educators of the program he now leads this process on all Active Minds experiences.
Mr. Mike loves playing basketball and cooking. He loves going on vacations with his family. His family has a history steeped in the thoroughbred industry in Maryland and he loves rooting for their horses!
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Mrs. Lechel
Team Leadeer