
Montgomery Blair High School
Instructional Leadership Team, 2023-24
Three Keys to Success!
Renay Johnson, Proud Principal
Mrs. Renay Johnson has worked in Montgomery County Public Schools for over 30 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and Johns Hopkins University, Mrs. Johnson has served as a teacher, School Counselor, Resource Counselor, Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, and in 2011, after 77 years of male leaders, she became the first woman principal of Montgomery Blair High School -- the largest high school enrollment in Maryland with over 3200 students and 320 staff members!
Mrs. Johnson is a recipient of the 2019 Takoma Park United Unsung Hero Award, 2018 Silver Spring Links, Leadership Award, 2018 Every Girl Can Ambassador Award, 2017 Montgomery County Media Association, Nancy Walker Award, 2016 Alpha Kappa Alpha, Outstanding Community Service Award, 2015 Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, and the 2013 National Board Certified Teachers Network Principal of the Year.
Mrs. Johnson serves on Montgomery County Public Schools Advisory Committees and she is an Instructor at McDaniel College, Graduate Programs. She is married to James and they have two adult children, Jamie and Jordan. She is excited to begin her 13th year as the leader of Montgomery Blair High School. Go Blazers!
Eileen Heiss, Principal's Administrative Secretary
Eileen Heiss has been in MCPS for almost 15 years, all of them in the Main Office at Montgomery Blair. Eileen was previously in the banking industry in customer service and she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from the University of Maryland. In her free time, Eileen enjoys cooking, eating, going to the beach and most importantly, spending time with her new granddaughter Ruby!
Brenda Barrera Mercado, Acting Assistant School Administrator
Aaron Bernstein, Assistant Principal
Adriana Burgos-Ojeda, Assistant Principal
Rahman Culver, Acting Assistant Principal
Peter Ostrander, Magnet Coordinator
Tracy Pettis-Jones, Assistant Principal
Ramona Washington, Assistant Principal
Ms. Ramona Washington has worked for Montgomery County Public Schools for sixteen years and is beginning her thirty-second year in education. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Gettysburg College, a Master’s of Education from Bowie State University, and her Administration Certification from Towson University. Ms. Washington has worked as a program assistant for at-risk youth and a high school counselor in Prince George’s County Public Schools. She served as the resource counselor at Wheaton High School, and Acting Assistant Principal at Paint Branch High School. Ms. Washington has been a Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) in various schools throughout MCPS, including her most recent assignment at Montgomery Blair High School.
In her free time, Ms. Washington enjoys volunteering, spending time with friends and family, exercising, and traveling. She’s the proud mom of two young adult children. She looks forward to continuing to serve the Blair community as an assistant principal.
Dr. Andrew Fields, Business Administrator
Dr. Andrew Fields’ leadership role changes in 2023-24 to the title of School Business Administrator. For the past 7 years, Dr. Fields was our Staff Development teacher. This year, however, he will oversee business and accounting operations at MBHS, allowing staff and students to continue their focus on the teaching and learning process. Dr. Fields has previously served as an administrator at several schools in Montgomery County, including Robert Frost Middle School, Albert Einstein High School, Damascus High School, and Gaithersburg High School.
Leslie Blaha, Staff Development Teacher
Ms. Leslie Blaha is our new Staff Development Teacher. Leslie has worked at Blair her entire career – twenty years and counting! Leslie started as a ninth-grade Matter and Energy teacher with an extremely supportive cohort of teachers. She has tried to pass that feeling on to the rest of the staff at Blair, first as the science department social coordinator, then a mentor teacher, and eventually becoming involved in union work as a building rep, EFR, and member of the MCEA Board of Directors.
Leslie is a National Board-certified teacher who enjoys helping other candidates navigate the process. Last year, Leslie was our testing coordinator. She made the administration of thousands of tests run as smoothly. Leslie loves being a part of such a diverse community that highlights amazing students’ talent. She is incredibly excited to take this next step as Blair's Staff Development Teacher.
Jacqueline Armstead-Thomas, Fine Arts Resource Teacher
Mrs. Jacqueline Armstead-Thomas is beginning her 12th year at Montgomery Blair and her 16th year in Montgomery County. Along with being the Resource Teacher for the Fine Arts Department, she also teaches all four levels of Digital Art. Mrs. Armstead-Thomas holds a BA in Graphic Design and Business from West Virginia Wesleyan where she played D2 volleyball, and a master's degree in Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. In her after-school hours, Mrs. Armstead-Thomas is the co-sponsor for the National Art Honor Society and the assistant coach of the Co-ed Varsity Volleyball team. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching sports, reading true crime, and snuggling with her two cats. Blair has one of the best Fine Arts departments in the county and Mrs. Armstead-Thomas cannot wait for students to share their talents with the Blazer community.
Rita Boulé, Blair Athletic Specialist
Rita Boulé has been in MCPS for 28 years as an athletic specialist, teacher, coach, and academy lead. She spent the first 17 years at John F. Kennedy High School where she coached 44 teams including boys and girls varsity soccer, basketball, and softball, before coming to Montgomery Blair to be the Athletic Specialist. This is her 12th year at Blair as Athletic Specialist. She also teaches the New Coaches Seminar for the county, is chairperson of the MCPS Coaches Committee, and serves on the Equity and Social Justice committee. She is the District 2 (MCPS) Representative for the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA). She is very proud of the Blazer Athletics program and all of its success in both academics and athletics. In her free time, she highly enjoys the outdoors, being physically active, traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading, landscaping, cooking, and learning.
Crystal Brown, Mathematics Resource Teacher
Mrs. Crystal Brown has been teaching in Montgomery County Public Schools for 18 years and is entering her 8th year at Montgomery Blair High School. She has a B.S. in Pure and Applied Mathematics from Howard University, a MAT in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University, and a Certificate in Administration from McDaniel College. One thing she loves and values, just as much as teaching, is learning. She is pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Bowie State University. Crystal is married to Christopher Brown and has two children, Kennedy and Kendrick. She enjoys spending time with her family, hand lettering, and styling natural hair in her spare time. She is excited to serve the Math Department and collaborate with the dynamic leadership team at Montgomery Blair High School.
Michael Burnell, Elected Faculty Representative
Maxim Kenyi, Elected Faculty Representative
Mr. Maxim Kenyi is entering his second year at Montgomery Blair High School as a Social Studies Teacher. He holds a BA in Political Science, and a MA in Secondary Special Education. Outside of work, he is passionate about sports, learning, culture, food, and family. Mr. Kenyi is thrilled to continue leading, learning, and growing as a part of the MBHS community.
Emily Callaghan, Social Worker
Sarah Fillman, Communication Arts Program, Blair Publications Coordinator
Ms. Fillman is beginning her 21st year as a teacher, all of which have happened at Blair. She received a B.A. of English Education from Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University), an M.A. of Education in Human Development from The University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.A. in Equity and Excellence in Education from McDaniel College. Ms. Fillman is a National Board Certified Teacher and received the Board of Education Award for Distinguished Service to Public Education Award in 2019. In addition to teaching, Ms. Fillman runs a photography business. She is married to another teacher in the county, Kevin Corpuz, and together they have three cats, Bentley, Cooper and Poppy, and two dogs, Penny and Watson. Her love for animals extends to her volunteer work for City Dogs and Kitties Rescue DC as an adoption counselor. Ms. Fillman looks forward to continuing her equity work in the upcoming school year.
Donna Franklin, Financial Specialist
Jody Gil, Elected Faculty Representative
Tess Hiller, ESOL/ELD and Reading Resource Teacher
Kati Holmes, English Resource Teacher
Kati Holmes has worked at Blair for five years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her Master’s degree from George Mason University. Prior to working in MCPS, Kati taught English and served as On-Time Graduation Coordinator in Fairfax County, Virginia. She has also worked in Curriculum Development, both in FCPS and at the University of Maryland. Kati is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and Pear Deck Coach who loves helping teachers learn new tech. She and her husband enjoy DIY house projects, rock climbing, and biking.
ReBecca Hughes, Social Studies Resource Teacher
Ms. ReBecca Hughes is beginning her thirteenth year in education, having worked as a Special Education Teacher, Transition Support Teacher, Social Studies Teacher, and RTSE before her current role as the Social Studies Resource Teacher at Montgomery Blair High School. Ms. Hughes has experience in both public school settings (MCPS and PGCPS) as well as alternative settings where she supported adjudicated youth. She holds a BA in History and a Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Maryland (College Park), as well as graduate certificates in Educational Leadership, Equity and Excellence in Education, Career Planning and Placement for Youth in Transition, and Arts Integration. Outside of work and being a lifelong learner, she enjoys traveling (seven continents, 42 countries, and 50 states), reading, going for walks/hikes near and around water, the summertime, live music, writing/performing poetry, and quality time with family and friends. She looks forward to finding more ways to celebrate students at Blair and the phenomenal Social Studies department staff this year.
Adrian Kelly, Security Team Leader
Mr. Adrian Kelly has worked for MCPS for 23 years, 20 at Montgomery Blair High School. He worked as a paraeducator for five years and a security assistant for the last 15, as well as the JV Football head coach (2005-2012) and JV Lacrosse coach (2007-2012). Adrian has a great knowledge of the Blair students and community not only from his extensive work experience but as a proud Blair alum. He is excited to continue serving the Blair community as the Security Team Leader. Adrian attended Bowie State University and is married to Yolande; they have two awesome children: Adrian Jr. and Asia. He enjoys family, sports, exercise, and travel.
Andrea Lamphier, Media Specialist
Paul "Tony" Mensah, Resource Teacher of Special Education
Robert J. McMahon, Jr., Health and Physical Education Resource Teacher
Dora Santiago-Gonzalez, Acting World Languages Resource Teacher
Summer Roark, Science Resource Teacher
Beth Sanchez, Academy Coordinator
Kira Scott, SEIU Representative
Kira Scott (Curry) is a paraeducator/support to the Science Department at Blair High School. She has been employed with MCPS for 10 years and at Blair going on 7 years. She will assume the role of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Representative in the coming academic year. She is also ECA after-school monitor and supervisor. She is confident that all will quickly realize her ability to be the voice of the Blair Support Team.
Neha Singhal, Diversity and Inclusion Instructional Coordinator
Ms. Neha Singhal (she/her) is a social studies teacher, curriculum designer, workshop facilitator, and restorative justice coach with 15 years of experience inside and outside of the county. Prior to joining MCPS, she taught Asian American Studies at UMD and UMBC and worked as an immigrant rights organizer in the movement supporting justice for undocumented workers and families at the local, state, and national level. Over the years Neha has created curriculum for the county to upgrade Government & History courses with an antiracist lens, trained teachers on culturally relevant and equitable practices, and consulted with nonprofit organizations to deliver workshops on diversity and inclusion. With a strong focus on anti-oppression and liberatory practices, she brings an approach grounded in empathy and believes the process is as important as the outcome. Neha earned her M.Ed. in Social Justice Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is also passionate about full-spectrum reproductive justice and serves her community as a birth doula and an accessible yoga instructor.
Makeyda Soriano, Resource Counselor
Maria Tanos, Latino Achievement Coordinator
Karen Taylor-Boone, Career and Technology Education Resource Teacher
Mrs. Karen Taylor-Boone has been an educator for 22 years. For twelve years, Karen has worked for Montgomery County Public Schools as a classroom teacher. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgia Southern University, a MS of Education in Curriculum Assessment from Troy State and Educational Specialist in Special Education from Augusta State University. Karen's classroom experience is in the CTE Department for over 20 years and co-teaching in the Special Education Department in the area of Autism. Karen's vision or purpose as an educator is to facilitate a culture of learning and exploration that allows students to be risk-taking in a challenging yet physically and emotionally safe educational setting. All the while, preparing students for their next chapter in life beyond high school, including in the workforce, higher educational institutions, and his/her personal relationships. Karen has been married for 19 years to Nicholas. Together, they have two sons ages 13 and 17 years old. Karen enjoys spending time relaxing on the beach surrounded by family and friends.
Her favorite motto is "“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”
—Dr. Mae Jemison, first African American female astronaut
Montgomery Blair High School
Website: mbhs.edu
Location: 51 University Boulevard East, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-7200