newest ghs staff members set to make a lasting impact

Quick Bio:
Gers joins Glenelg as its newest assistant principal. Gers attended the University of Maryland for degrees in psychology and kinesiology, and went on to receive her Masters from Loyola University Maryland. An HCPSS graduate, Gers was a counselor for various Maryland high schools before coming to Glenelg this year. She said has loved her time at Glenelg so far, noting the strong sense of community she feels from students and staff. Outside of school, Gers enjoys cooking, exercising, decorating for the season, and spending time with family.

 Janet Gers

​Quote to live by:  “Students: you matter, you are enough, and you make a difference.”

Most looking forward to this year: “I am looking forward to continuing meeting everyone and learning more about all the rich traditions at Glenelg!”

​Fun fact: Gers played Ultimate Frisbee during college, making it to nationals her senior year.

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Daria Burton

Quick Bio:
​Burton is very excited to begin her first year working as a counselor at Glenelg, providing help and a listening ear for any students with last names beginning with Hp-Mi. Burton is a self proclaimed Howard County native, who graduated from both Wilde Lake Middle and High Schools before earning her undergraduate degree from University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She brings with her a wide range of experience from her previous jobs, which helps her to provide helpful advice for students hoping to plan out their future careers. Burton said she discovered her passion for mental health while working at an outpatient mental health facility, where she provided a voice for those who couldn’t speak out for themselves.

Quote to live by: 
​“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great" – Zig Ziglar

Most Looking Forward to this Year: “Creating meaningful connections with my students, as well as the rest of the staff and student body at Glenelg!”

Fun Fact: Burton lives together with her sister, her niece, and her six-year-old daughter.

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Quick Bio: 
Swales graduated from Glenelg High School and has returned to teach. This year marks his second year as a teacher, but his first at his alma mater. Swales said he loves football, weight lifting, boxing, and playing guitar in his free time. This year, Swales is teaching three Algebra I classes and two Algebra II GT classes.

Quote to live by:
“Be curious, not judgemental” - Ted Lasso
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Most Looking Forward to this Year: “Having a constant space for teaching, since my first year of teaching was split between two buildings.”

​Fun Fact: Swales has been featured on some select songs on Spotify.​​

Nathan Swales

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Claire Burke

Quick Bio:
​Burke is one of Glenelg's new math teachers  and is delighted to start here. Burke was born in Texas and moved to Howard County soon after. After graduating from River Hill High School, Burke attended the University of Maryland for her undergraduate degree. Burke wanted to pursue pre-medical but lost  passion in this profession and changed majors to pursue teaching. Burk taught at several elementary schools until the pandemic. She then moved back to Howard County to teach high school and wound up joining GHS' staff.

 Quote to live by: “Sometimes the best way to solve your problems is to solve someone else’s.”

Most Looking Forward to this Year: "Getting to know my students' interests on a deeper level and connect with them more."

Fun Fact: When Burke was younger she was not great at math. She struggled and had a hard time until she started having awesome math teachers to help her. She wants to teach her students what her math teachers taught her. 

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Quick Bio:
Green came to Maryland in 2011 from New York and worked as the Manager of Strategy & Logistics at DCPS for 10 years before transitioning to teach accounting at Centennial and Glenelg. In Green's spare time, he  coaches basketball at Oakland Mills, and is a savvy real estate investor and proud owner of 761st Woodworks.

Quote to live by: “If it don't make money it don't make sense” 

Most Looking Forward to This Year: 
​Enlightening the minds of Centennial and Glenelg.

​Fun Fact: Green loves to work with hands and enjoys woodworking.

Michael Green

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Denise Vanderbloemen

Vanderbloemen was born and raised in Howard County and graduated from Oakland Mills in 2013. She went to college at the University of Arizona, studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Science, and Deaf Studies. After she graduated, she went on to get her Master's in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. After moving around a lot from Arizona back to Maryland, she's now teaching at Glenelg, and is happy to be a part of the community. She got married last year, and is currently in the process of buying a new house and moving! She has a dog named Freedom, and 2 cats who love to be outside.

Quote to live by: 
​"Why fit in when you were born to stand out." - Dr. Seuss

​Most Looking Forward to This Year:  "I'm excited to be here at Glenelg and learn all the traditions we have!"

​Fun Fact: When Vanderbloemen was in high school, her mom worked in the ALS program at OMHS, and she would visit her often. She got to know the students in the program and see how unique and special each student was. When Vanderbloemen decided she didn't want to become a speech therapist, she knew working with students would be her next adventure. She knew that the ALS population of students was who she wanted to work with.