Dianne was born and raised in Baltimore but since she was an army brat, she also had the opportunity to live in Stuttgart, Germany for two years (where she learned to read, write, and speak German) and Atlanta, Georgia for ten months. Dianne earned her B.A. degree in Business Administration from Sojourner Douglass College graduating cum laud. She worked as an administrative assistant with the Henry Hall Program at the National Aquarium in Baltimore for seven years. During that time, Rod Daniels (news anchor at WBAL-TV) was the official guest speaker of the Henry Hall Program Awards Ceremony and Dianne had the pleasure of getting to know him on a first name bases. Her first position with the Baltimore City Public School System was as a Para educator working at a school in her own community for a year. She feels blessed to be part of the Independence School staff since beginning during the 2008 – 2009 school year. On Thursday, May 13, 2010 she received her master’s degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in youth ministry

Michelle graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in 2002, and after working as an artist and an instructor at a therapeutic wilderness program in Western North Carolina, returned to Baltimore to pursue her master’s in art therapy at the College of Notre Dame. Michelle taught in various after-school, community outreach and summer programs throughout the city.  In 2005, she received a Baltimore Community Fellowship from the Open Society Institute to implement her program, the Wilderness/Art Initiative, in partnership with Independence, where she is currently in her sixth year of teaching.

One of the founders of Independence and former co-director, Erik received his BS in history and geography from Towson University in 1993.  After teaching social studies at Patterson High School for five years, he joined several others and took the leap of faith in 2003 to found a program based on experiential, individualized learning. In particular Erik created the portion of the wilderness program that involved fixing up old bikes, then biking down the C&O Canal while studying local Maryland and Native American history.  Meanwhile, he’s logged some 20 years playing bass and singing in local bands and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in education as a reading specialist at Loyola College, which he will receive in June, 2010.     

A 1972 graduate from Boston University in political philosophy, Danny also studied with the famous populist historian Howard Zinn before embarking on a blue collar tour of America that lasted 25 years.  He worked in a steel mill in East Chicago, then drove a truck for twelve years while also pursuing his master’s in history.  Then it was on to stints in the cable industry and construction work, until 1990, when Danny helped to found several Quaker schools in Frederick County. It wasn’t until 1999, though, that he synthesized his unique experiences, interest in education and graduate degrees:  Enrolling in the Resident Teachers’ Program, he began teaching history and government at Northwestern High School.  He stayed there for seven years, until Independence School’s mission— including biannual wilderness trips and frequent cultural and historical forays in and around the city— proved too compelling to resist. 

 

 

Andy grew up in Indianapolis, home to the Purdue School of Science (IUPUI), where he received his BS in chemistry. In pursuit of his master’s degree, he moved to Baltimore to attend Johns Hopkins University, where he went on to receive his master’s in chemistry and then a Ph.D. in June 2007.  Meanwhile, he began substitute teaching at Patterson High School and found that he enjoyed teaching young students in an urban setting.  Andy is currently trying to raise the level of scientific literacy at Independence High School.

 

Chris received his BS in math at Towson University in 1993, and two years later, his master’s degree at West Virginia University.  He then began his doctorate and finished all the course work before moving back to Baltimore in 1997, when he became a math instructor at Goucher College and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.  After enrolling in the Resident Teachers Program, Chris taught math at Patterson High School from 2000 to 2007.  He then joined the staff at Independence, where he teaches transitional math, Algebra I and II, and geometry.

With a BA in philosophy from the New School in 1990 and a year of drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts under his belt the following year, Chris took an unconventional path to teaching.  First, there were five years as a stage actor; then a couple of years at St. Johns in Annapolis, where he received his master’s in liberal studies in 1996; and finally six years in web design and other facets of the computer business.  By 2002, he finally got around to doing what he had meant to do for some time: he quit IBM and became an English teacher—first at Lake Clifton High School and then at ACCE.  In his second year as an advisor at Independence, Chris is a strong advocate for more reading and community service among his students.

Born in Nicaragua and raised in Atlanta, Juan graduated from the University of Georgia, Athens, in 2006 with a BA in comparative literature.  After working for the Clark County School District, Juan began teaching in the community of Petal, Mississippi. Coming to believe that education is the key to social change, he moved to Baltimore in 2008.  While teaching Spanish and English at Baltimore Freedom Academy and Patterson High School, Juan also began pursuing his Master of Arts and Teaching at Towson University. 

 

After earning her BS in chemistry at the University of the City of Manila in 1989, Jocelyn worked as a process chemist in a paint manufacturing company before beginning to teach chemistry at St. Michael’s Academy in Manila.  A chemistry instructor at the Maritime Academy for five years, and then at the University of Eastern Philippines for six, she also attended law school at night and received her degree in 2005.  At the same time Jocelyn was also pursuing a post-graduate Diploma in Science Teaching with a major in chemistry at the University of the Philippines, Open University, and then, in 2006-2007, a Master of Arts in Special Education, with a major in communication disorders.  (She is planning to return this spring to defend her thesis).  Meanwhile, she was recruited by the BCPSS and came here in 2008, where she plans to stay for at least five years.

A Jamaica native, David graduated from Teachers College there in 2000.  After teaching for a couple of years, he attended the University of West Indies, where he received a BSc. in 2006 in math and computer science.  He taught high school math again in Jamaica before the BCPSS came calling.  David’s first assignment once in town: Walbrook High School.  Three semesters later David conceded that its doors were closing for good.  Such gentle grace under fire would soon become a treasured quality among his colleagues and students at Independence.

A 1972 graduate from Boston University in political philosophy, Danny also studied with the famous populist historian Howard Zinn before embarking on a blue collar tour of America that lasted 25 years.  He worked in a steel mill in East Chicago, then drove a truck for twelve years while also pursuing his master’s in history.  Then it was on to stints in the cable industry and construction work, until 1990, when Danny helped to found several Quaker schools in Frederick County. It wasn’t until 1999, though, that he synthesized his unique experiences, interest in education and graduate degrees:  Enrolling in the Resident Teachers’ Program, he began teaching history and government at Northwestern High School.  He stayed there for seven years, until Independence School’s mission— including biannual wilderness trips and frequent cultural and historical forays in and around the city— proved too compelling to resist. 

 

 

I have been working and residing in Baltimore since 1999 and continue to be amazed at what the city of Baltimore has to offer. I began my educational career teaching at Patterson High School as a 9th grade history teacher in the basement for five years. In 2004 I was promoted to assistant principal at Patterson and from 2005 to 2009 I was the assistant principal at Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School for grades Pre-K through 5 and grade 8. I am quite familiar with many of the staff members at Independence School and am excited to be working with them again. I am passionate about two things; the education of Baltimore’s youth and the Washington Redskins.

I earned my bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in history with a minor in education from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY and my master’s degree (M.Ed.) in School Improvement Leadership from Goucher College in Maryland. I have been awarded my Advanced Professional Certificate (APC) from the State of Maryland with an endorsement in Social Studies 7-12 and my Administrator I and II. I am currently looking into doctoral programs in the area.

Cranston Dize is a lifelong resident of Baltimore City, having grown to semi-maturity in Highlandtown and residing in the Belair Road/Harford Road corridor from that point on. Cranston graduated from college, too. He is a wiseacre, a practical-minded homeowner, a devoted son, a loving husband and sometime parent of three very large, aggressive boys, who would like nothing better than to trample you to bits in a mosh pit. He is also the stepfather of three sons. Cranston has worked as a teacher for more than twenty years and as a teacher mentor for five years. He is one of the first people to climb up on the rock now known as Independence School Local 1. His ambition is to catch a fish as big as an ironing board next year and to drive a motor coach for a living in his next life.

Petey came to us courtesy of a mid-life career switch and empty nest syndrome.  After years as a writer, editor, mother and civic volunteer, she adopted Independence as her new favorite cause and immediately began lining up internships, service learning projects, and field trips from D.C. to New York for her 105 new children.  She’s also begun to draft select grant proposals, and next year, her fourth at Independence, will take over as shepherd-in-chief of the college application process.           

 

After one satisfying career as a renal dialysis technician, Cindy began another when she returned to school and received her BA in psychology from Coppin State in 2000.  For the next five years she dedicated herself to children with mental and/or physical disabilities, teaching at Leith Walk Elementary, Patterson High School and Southwest Charter School.  Arriving at Independence in 2007, Cindy immediately became a crowd favorite, earning the nickname “Mama” from all of the students, a handful of teachers, and one pizza lady up the street.  By 2009, she had also earned her master’s in education as a reading specialist from Loyola College, as well as her master’s in urban education from Sojourner-Douglass College.      

A Baltimore City native, Raymonda received her high school diploma from Lake Clifton High School, her BA in social work from Morgan State University and her MA in social work from the University of Maryland before working in Child Protective Services for the Department of Social Services in Baltimore for 17 years. She switched to the Baltimore City Public School System in September, 2005.  “I feel like I’m helping more in this position,” she said about her work at Independence and Westside Elementary.  “I wanted to work with children directly.”