MONTGOMERY BLAIR HIGH SCHOOL
CAPÂ STAFF
MR. PARIS BUSTILLOS
9th Grade | Photography | Creative Script Writing
As a media teacher, I aim to instruct students on technology principles, but also to inspire a general love for learning as well. More specifically, as a multimedia producer I introduce students to a variety of communication processes that help articulate their ideas, not only presenting a repertoire of skills, but also tuning their critical listening and thinking. I believe I provide a space for students to feel safe and comfortable. I believe that this environment fosters students to achieve goals and encourages students to try their best every day.
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Education
BFA from VCU
MFA from American University
Other Certifications
Spanish, ESL, Art
Awards/Accolades
Best Documentary Short at the DC Ind. Film Fest, Rosebud Film Fest
MS. TAMI JERAL
9th Grade | Drama | Oral Interpretation
CAP 9 Drama is both a laboratory and academic class in which students develop the skills and experience to engage in every facet of the theater and performance world. As a classroom community, CAP Drama promotes self-confidence and effective communication which contribute to success in any arena, on and off stage. In addition, the class fosters creative interpretation of texts, constructive critiquing, and original playwriting. Throughout the year, students hone their skills as actors, directors, producers, playwrights and informed audience members. They learn to be critical thinkers, to evaluate old and new performance styles, to articulate their own aesthetic, and to consider ways in which the performance world is impacted by, and contributes to, societal trends and values. CAP Drama culminates with the Inspirations Original Play Project in which students create and perform ten minute plays about a topic or social issue of choice.
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Education
MAT English and BA English/Theater from The State University of New York at Binghamton
Studio Acting Training from Bova Actors’ Studio, Michael Howard Studio, & Movement Research, New York City
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Other Certifications
Advanced Professional Certificate in Theater-MCPS
MR. SEAN RADA
9th Grade | English
What I love most about teaching English is the opportunity to engage in honest conversations about the world, our place in it, and what we can do to improve it with students from a myriad of backgrounds. Furthermore, I firmly believe that English is the subject best suited to teach students the most essential life skills, such as: critical thinking, problem solving, effective communication, and, most importantly, empathy. Aside from teaching those essential skills, my goal in CAP 9 English is to get students thinking and talking about the big questions surrounding the human experience, first from their own perspective, and then from perspectives they may have been previously unfamiliar with. Lastly, I strive to ensure that my classroom is a safe space for all students where they feel comfortable expressing themselves and sharing their honest opinions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts: English Literature, University of Maryland College Park
Master of Education: Secondary Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Maryland College Park
MR. MARC GROSSMAN
9th Grade | Honors US History
The retelling and analysis of history and the social sciences connects students with the past and one another to each other by providing a common language that recognizes difference and subtlety. It is the teacher's duty to help mend those differences and subtleties within the perpetual patchwork of the human story. It is my hope that my students come away not only with strong analytical, reading and writing skills, but also a strong sense of self-worth and identity. These traits are critical if we are to foster a culture of responsibility and nourish young people's sense of investment in their community and the world around them. These goals are achievable when students are provided a fair and conducive learning atmosphere free of intimidation that promotes inclusion and stimulates the open exchange of ideas. I strive to create a learning environment where kids learn from the textbook and mini-lectures as well as through dance, debate, cooperative projects, art and performance.
Education
BA from Goucher College (History Major, Economics Minor)
MA in Secondary Education with emphasis in Social Studies from George Washington University
Other Certifications
George Washington University- Certificate in Judaic Teaching
His Farm
Mr. Grossman is the owner of a local organic farm which recently won the Washington Gardener Silver Spring Tomato Tasting contest.
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MS. SARAH FILLMAN
10th Grade | Honors English 10
My love for philosophy, psychology, human development, and sociology often spills over into my lessons in English class. Whether it be analyzing how the Party controls its citizens in Oceania or developing a strong character arch in the short story unit, one important take away from English 10 is understanding, analyzing, and eventually capturing the human condition in literature. Beyond learning the intricacies of rhetoric, students also learn the art of communicating through advertising, oral delivery and body language, as well as visuals. I believe that critical thinking happens best when students are allowed to be creative and autonomous.
Education
BA in English Education from Washington Adventist University
MA in Human Development from University of Maryland, College Park
MA in Equity & Excellence in Education from McDaniel College
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Other Certifications
National Board Certified Teacher; Career Lattice Lead Teacher; OAT I & II
Awards/Accolades
2019 Recipient of The Board of Education Annual Distinguished Service in Public Education Award
Published in Dr. John Guthrie's Engaging Adolescent Readers in 2008
MR. KYLE WANNEN
10th & 12th Grades | CAP Journalism | Senior Seminar
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After not teaching any journalism last year, I am extremely excited to join the Blair Cap program and the Blair publications team. In my newsroom, students will develop their critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills while analyzing all different types and sources of information. Students will explore a variety to stories from different local, national, and global publications while listening to podcasts, analyzing blogs/articles, and/or viewing broadcasts/videos. I will step into the role of facilitator, centering classroom learning on student-driven inquiry, media literacy, active listening, and empathetic discourse.
I am also the Varsity Baseball Coach here at Blair and help with the basketball scoreboard operations. When I am not teaching, you can find me spending time with wife and two children, reading science fiction/fantasy or following my favorite sports teams.
Education
B.A. Print Journalism, University of Maryland
M.A. Secondary English Education, University of Maryland
MR. DOUGLAS WILSON
10th Grade | Media Literacy | TV Production
Video production lets me teach all of the content I am passionate about: creativity, communication, media literacy, critical thinking, language skills, and film making. It allows students to express themselves creatively as they learn to mix words, sounds, and images in order to convey ideas and tell stories. Creating videos requires effective communication, both in terms of conveying a message and collaborating with others. It helps students learn to analyze and evaluate all of the information they are bombarded with every day, from social media and internet surfing to the online videos, TV shows, and digital games they play. It also strengthens problem solving skills, engenders feelings of empowerment, and fosters cultural awareness. There is simply no other discipline I would rather teach.
Education
BA in Communications, Broadcasting and Film from Boston University
BA in Secondary English Education from Maryland University, College Park
MA in Educational Technology from University of Maryland University College
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MS. REBECCA STELZNER
10th Grade | AP Government
I’m excited to bring my background knowledge of work in government and grassroots advocacy to my classroom in order to help build the future of public policy advocates. I try to facilitate a classroom that is alive with academic conversation about the issues that matter and to see the growth of young people that are passionate about public service. Particular highlights of CAP AP Government include Debates, House District Prediction, CAP Congress, CAP Court, POTUS, and, of course, the AP Government exam.
Education
Union College (BA in Political Science)
NYU Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service (MPA, Specializing in Public Policy)
University of Maryland (MCERT Program - MA in Secondary Social Studies Education)
MR. DARREN WILSON
10th & 11th Grades | Writing News | TV Production | AP Language and Composition
Bio Coming Soon
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MR. KEN SEAT
11th Grade | AP US World History
I am eager to share my passion for World History with CAP students. Even though I have taught this subject for over 20 years at Blair High School, I am humbled and excited by how much I still am learning about the world. Having grown up in Japan and traveled to many countries, I understand that history is not something that lives only in a textbook. I look forward to sharing with my students that history is very much alive and directly connected to how societies function today.
Education
B.A. in International Relations and Japanese Studies--William Jewell College
M.A. in International Relations--Boston University
M.A. in Education--Johns Hopkins University
DR. JOHN HOWARD
10th & 11th Grade | English | Junior Research Seminar
My goal as an educator is to help my students find their passions and become lifelong learners. I want them to believe in themselves and realize that they all have areas of expertise, and they all have extraordinary perspectives that they bring to the table.
Education
Doctorate in Educational Leadership – Johns Hopkins University
Master’s in literature – Bowie State University
B.A. in English/Media Journalism and Teacher Certification – North Carolina Central University
Awards
Bowie State University Teacher Leader Award 2022
JORDAN WARNER
12th Grade | Senior Seminar
Studying history helps us understand and grapple with complex questions and dilemmas by examining how the past has shaped (and continues to shape) relationships between people. It is our responsibility to tell the truth, to tell those stories no matter how complex. Each of us has such a unique history and wonderfully diverse stories. As we prepare for the future in the workforce and in higher education, it is important to carry those stories with us and relate to one another through them-- Senior Seminar is a culmination of our collective stories through high school and I am excited to help students express their unique experiences as they prepare for the next level.
I am also the Yearbook Adviser here at Blair and am the co- director of Pivot Basketball Camp. When I am not teaching, you can find me spending time with family and tending to my houseplants/garden.
Education
American University (BA in History)
Towson University (MA Special Education/Secondary Education)