Board of Directors

Kate Volpe is a veteran teacher of Social Studies from Howard County Public Schools.  She has spent over a decade at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia teaching social studies and supporting 9th graders as the 9th grade Instructional Team leader (for the last 8 years).  She achieved her National Board Certification in 2019 and was the Maryland Council of Social Studies Teacher of the Year.  She works tirelessly to help school break down barriers by providing training and instruction to teachers for the most vulnerable students in their building, including students living in poverty, students suffering from trauma and social emotional needs.  Her most recent accomplishment has been planning and executing an addition of a Food Bank for the Wilde Lake community.

Richard Malt, Jr. has been teaching Social Studies for a decade+ with the Howard County Public School System where he has served as both 9th grade and Social Studies Instructional Team Leader, and Rho Kappa advisor. He was recognized as HCPSS’ First Year Teacher of the Year in 2007, was the Maryland History Day District Teacher of the Year in 2018, and was featured in The Baltimore Sun in the “At Work:  Passion for Teaching” series.  Richard has been serving as Treasurer for the Maryland Council for the Social Studies for a number of years, and is deeply passionate about the importance of social studies education in increasing civic engagement and developing the next generation of global thinkers.

The Conference Coordinator is responsible for chairing the annual conference committee and ensuring that the following functions take place: securing the venue, coordinating presenters, securing donations and vendors, and assigning other tasks to board members as needed.

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Interested in Applying? 

Email ourmdcss@gmail.com for more information.

Ashley Curtin is the Lead Teacher for the Re-Imagining Student Engagement (RISE) Project-Based Learning Program under Career & Technical Education at Calvert County Public Schools. Previously, she taught 7th Grade World Geography and 8th Grade US History while also serving as the History Fair Coordinator at Southern Middle School (CCPS). Before moving to Maryland, Ashley served as the RtI & 504 Coordinator at Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School in Central Illinois.  Ashley graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelors of Arts and Master of Arts in International Affairs.  She began her career in education as an AmeriCorps VOCAL Literacy Volunteer on Chicago's South Side. Ashley went on to serve as an educational non-profit professional in Adult Literacy and School-Based Mentoring programs. While pursuing her Teacher Certification from Illinois State University, Ashley also taught GED and Adult Basic Education classes at Heartland Community College. 

The Social Media Coordinator is responsible for managing the social media presence of the organization, including maintaining regular communications across social media platforms.

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Interested in Applying? 

Email ourmdcss@gmail.com for more information.

Scott McComb is veteran educator.  He is currently the Supervisor of Social Studies for Calvert County Public Schools.  Scott was twice the president of the Maryland Council for Social Studies and served on its Board of Directors for many years.  Scott also chaired the Maryland Social Studies Advisory Council from 2011 to 2013.  As a passionate believer in the power and importance of an effective social studies education for all children, Scott in pleased to be returning to the MDCSS Board of Directors. 

In her role as Manager of College and Career Readiness in Maryland’s Anne Arundel County Public School system, Leah Renzi draws on her experiences as a classroom social studies educator and her service at the state education agency to expand learning opportunities for all students. She has served on multiple education advisory boards for local public institutions and on the Executive Boards for the Maryland Council for Social Studies and the Council of State Social Studies Specialists. She is committed to ensuring that all students have access to engaging educational programs that support success in their chosen college, career, and civic life.

Members-at-Large assume full voting privileges as members of the Board of Directors.  Members-at-Large are integral parts of the organization and are considered likely candidates for future leadership positions. Members-at-Large assist with the conference and participate in the planning and decision making of the Board of Directors. One Member-at-Large position shall be reserved for a Student Member of the Board who is currently enrolled in a Maryland school to ensure student voice and perspective.

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Interested in Applying? 

Email ourmdcss@gmail.com for more information.

Joey Landgraf is the President-Elect for MDCSS. This school year, he is embarking on a new adventure as he will be a social sciences teacher at Aberdeen High School in Harford County Public Schools. Previously, Joey taught AP Government and AP Psychology at North County High School in Anne Arundel County Public Schools.  Joey is a 2015 James Madison Fellow from Maryland and also won Promising New Social Studies Teacher of the Year from MDCSS in 2019.  He has previously served on the board of MDCSS as an At-Large Member. In his free time, he enjoys fantasy football, pub trivia, golf, hiking, and wrangling his toddler daughter.

Alexander (Sandy) Pope is an associate professor in the Department of Secondary and Physical Education and director of the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at Salisbury University

Amanda Venable is the Museum Manager for Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums in Frederick County. There she focuses on creating exhibits and training staff to lead children’s programs and school field trips in a way that promotes learning about the diverse and full stories of the people who lived and worked on the property from 1740-1950. She currently serves as History Day district coordinator for Frederick County. Before her role at Rose Hill, Amanda spent 8 years teaching social studies to middle and high schoolers in Frederick County Public Schools. Amanda has served on the MDCSS board since 2019.

George Toepfer graduated from State University of New York at Stony Brook, with honors, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. He received his Master of Education from the University of Maryland at College Park and went on to earn his Administrator I certification from Towson University. George worked for the Harford County Public Schools for 30 years prior to retiring in 2021. For 11 years he was a classroom teacher at Edgewood High School and for 19 years he was the Supervisor of Social Studies. A member of MDCSS for many years, he was awarded the Distinguished Educator Award in 2007 and the Instructional Leader of the Year Award in 2013 by MDCSS. He also received the Middle States Council for the Social Studies (MSCSS) Distinguished Service Award in 2019. This award recognizes a community member whose career and/or contributions have supported and advanced social studies education. Recently, George has been working with Maryland Public Television as the content support in the creation of online courses for Grades 4 and 5 social studies. He was recently named the Director of Teacher Education for the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE).

Kim Eggborn is the Coordinator of Elementary Social Studies for the Howard County Public School System.  She began her career as a 5th grade elementary school teacher and has since grown to become involved both nationally and internationally with teachers regarding civics education. 

Kim has served on the standing committee for the National Assessment of Education Progress for the Elementary Civics NAEP assessment, taught as an adjunct professor, and served as a member of the SSACI Teacher Collaborative Council to review and provide feedback on the new College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards.   Her current hobbies include obtaining a PhD and chasing after her two children.   Kim is also on the board of the 2nd Vice President for the Howard County Historical Society and is President for the Asian American Educators of Howard County.

Julia Berg teaches 6th grade history at Bennett Middle School in Wicomico County, and previously taught middle school ELA in Baltimore City.  She has worked on social studies curriculum development for grades 3-7, and led professional development workshops from the school level to the national level.  She is passionate about helping her students to become curious, empathetic global citizens.  Julia enjoys traveling, archaeology, yoga, and hiking.

Members-at-Large assume full voting privileges as members of the Board of Directors.  Members-at-Large are integral parts of the organization and are considered likely candidates for future leadership positions. Members-at-Large assist with the conference and participate in the planning and decision making of the Board of Directors. One Member-at-Large position shall be reserved for a Pre-Service Teacher to ensure voice for those entering the profession. 

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Interested in Applying? 

Email ourmdcss@gmail.com for more information.