September 17
Dear CMIT North High School Community,
I am excited to share that we have had a successful start to the school year! Our students and staff have demonstrated remarkable teamwork, and I am incredibly proud of our school culture, which emphasizes student well-being, success, and preparation for the future.
We are thrilled to announce that our seniors’ fundraising efforts have been a tremendous success. In just a few days, they managed to raise over $16,000! A heartfelt thank you goes out to our parents and community for your continued support. While we are working within a tight budget this year, your involvement makes us stronger, and we couldn't do it without you.
I’d also like to remind everyone about a few important updates and upcoming events. The certificated programs and STEM Clubs sign-up form has been shared with parents and students, and we encourage everyone to explore the opportunities to get involved in our extracurricular activities. We are also excited to host our Club Expo on Saturday, September 21, 2024, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This event is open to all community members, and we invite you to join us in learning more about the clubs and activities we offer.
In addition, please make sure to apply for the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) program. This not only supports your family but also helps boost our school budget, allowing us to continue providing essential services and resources for all students.
Lastly, don’t forget about our Back to School Night on Thursday, September 19th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Our instructional team is looking forward to meeting with you and working together to ensure a successful year for all our students.
As always, stay tuned to our newsletter and social media platforms for the latest updates and announcements. Thank you again for your unwavering support, and we look forward to seeing you at these exciting events!
Gonul Ozturk, M.Ed
Principal
Talisa Johnson is a dedicated educator with a passion for mathematics. As a proud graduate of Prince George's County Public Schools, she earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Hampton University and her graduate degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University. With over 12 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Johnson is committed to providing a supportive and engaging learning environment for her students. As a married parent of three, Mrs. Johnson understands the importance of fostering a strong partnership between schools and families.
Samantha Kelsey is a graduate of both Howard University (Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics), and Bowie State University (Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in STEM Education). She is currently teaching high school mathematics and co-advising her school’s Student Government Association. She is passionate about gamified learning and the incorporation of educational technology in the secondary mathematics classroom
Jessica Cunning has been teaching at the highschool level for twelve years, with ten of those years dedicated to Advanced Level courses. She has participated in numerous College Board workshops for both AP United States History and AP United States Government and Politics and attended the AP Reading for AP Government in 2018 and 2019. The AP Exam scores achieved by her students have consistently exceeded county and state averages, with the majority earning a score of 3.0 or higher.
In addition to teaching AP courses, Ms. Cunning serves as the Social Studies Department Chair. In this role, she leads a team of five teachers during weekly meetings and contributes to School Leadership meetings, offering ideas and input on school events and protocols.
Katie Houston, RELA/English/ English Department Chair
Katie Houston is a distinguished English teacher and the Head of the English Department at CMIT. For the past five years, she has led the successful publication of the school's yearbook. Beyond the classroom, Katie organizes the popular fall and spring markets, fostering student creativity and engagement. She is also known for directing the school's "Haunted Hallways" event, offering students a unique, immersive experience. Katie's leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on the CMIT community.
Eric Blood, has been a High School Social Studies Teacher for over 15 years, leading the Early College Academy for Advanced Placement students, participating in the School Improvement Team, and conducting weekly professional development. He teaches AP Government and Politics, AP United States History, and D.C. History. He also served as an Online Historical Consultant, reviewing and editing historical content for an educational Techbook. Previously, he was a Social Studies Department Chair, leading professional development and serving on the Discipline Committee. Earlier in his career, he taught U.S. History, World History, and Honors/AP courses.
Irania Maradiaga is a Prince George’s County science educator and a native of PGCPS. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Bowie State University (Go Bulldogs!) and a M.S. In Biology from Grand Canyon University. Ms. Maradiaga has taught various science courses such as Environmental Science, Biogeochemical Systems, Anatomy & Physiology, and Biology. In addition to teaching, Ms. Maradiaga serves as the science department chair. Outside of teaching, she supports the Class of 2026 as the class sponsor and is a Co-STEM Fair coordinator this school year.
Fethi Ozdem is a dedicated high school chemistry teacher with a passion for fostering curiosity and critical thinking in students. With 26 years of teaching experience, Mr. Ozdem has developed a student-centered, inquiry-based approach that encourages active learning and real-world application of chemistry concepts. With a focus on integrating technology and hands-on projects, Mr. Ozdem aims to prepare students not only for academic success but also for future careers in STEM. He holds a Master's in Chemistry Education and MBA, along with a Bachelor's in Chemistry. He teaches AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry this year. In addition to teaching, Mr. Ozdem also is coaching the robotics team and some of the Science Olympiad events. Outside the classroom, Mr. Ozdem enjoys playing soccer, chess, tennis, volleyball, fishing, traveling, reading and spending time with his family, including his wife, twin boys, and their beloved pets.
Courtney Marshall is a Science teacher at CMIT Academy high school. He earned an MBA at the University of Phoenix and is currently working on his dual doctorate in Healthcare administration and minor in Business Administration. Mr Marshall is an outstanding teacher who also teaches Health, Medical Science, Anatomy and Physiology. In addition Mr Marshall serves in afterschool programs that include science olympiad, STEM research and robotics engineering. Mr Marshall is also the Class sponsor for the students of 2027.
Troy Grant, Ph.D., Social Studies teacher; Founder/President at Beyond Rhetoric Corporation, expresses great focus on serving some of the most vulnerable youth. Over the past decade, his work has been rooted in education, a path that was significantly shaped by his decision to earn a bachelor’s degree. His teaching experience, spanning from Baltimore to Prince George's County, has not only reinforced his dedication to education but has also transformed it into a passion. Along the way, he has authored books with an educational focus, earned both a master's and doctoral degree, and served as a mentor teacher, further expanding his influence in the field.
Specialties: Teaching, Writing, Public Speaking.
Gregory Elrod, High School Social Studies Teacher, is a highly motivated individual with a diverse background that demonstrates an ability to learn new skills and processes easily. Responsible and efficient; has shown an aptitude for building positive relationships with customers and coworkers. Experienced in working in office settings and in the field. Skilled at finding innovative solutions while maintaining important standards and practices
We are thrilled to explore a potential partnership with the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), with hopes of integrating it into our curriculum soon. On September 11th, Gina C. Humble, Air Force JROTC Region Supervisor, and John McDaniel, JROTC Supervisor for Region 4, visited our school to assess how this esteemed program could enhance our students' leadership, discipline, and character-building skills.
In the meantime, our JROTC after clubs provides students, like Samuel Adenola, Grade 12 with similar opportunities. Notably, Mikayla Kamara, a recent graduate, and Jayden Inman, a Grade 12 student, participated in summer programs with the Air Force at West Point, furthering their development. We look forward to sharing updates as discussions about JROTC progress.
JROTC, a federal program sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces, aims to develop leadership, discipline, and citizenship in students through classroom instruction and extracurricular activities. While not a recruitment tool, it fosters valuable skills for both military and civilian futures.
We are excited to announce that the Boy Scouts of America are looking to form a new partnership with our school and introduce a new afterschool program. This initiative will offer students valuable opportunities for leadership, personal development, and community service.
On Tuesday, September 10, Mr. Gerry Floyd Smith, a trained Scoutmaster from Troop 450, along with Daryl Branson, District Executive for the Patuxent District of the National Capital Area Council, paid a visit to our school. Their proposal has been submitted to our administration, and a Scout Parent Night has been requested for October 24th. We look forward to the potential benefits this partnership could bring to our students and community.
Here is the High School Athletic Game Schedule for this weeK September 16-21, 2024
Monday 9/16:
Boys and Girls soccer have away games at Surrattsville High School. The boys play first with a start time of 3pm and the girls follow. Tickets are 5 dollars and can be purchased via the following link:
Varsity Volleyball has an away game at Central High School at 5:30pm. Tickets are 5 dollars and can be purchased via the following link: https://my.hometownticketing.com/agency/056ec091-be0c-45e7-b182-34645accd161/events/f04e3174-ef55-4592-9ecd-3ff1644ebdc4
