Bridge Department
Ms. Lisa Stephen, Bridge Program Coordinator email
Welcome to a new school year! I have spent most of my career at Briggs Chaney MS. This is year thirty-one for me at BCMS. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Human Development with a focus on Adolescent Development, and a Certificate in Administration and Supervision. I look forward to working with students, parents, and staff toward maximizing student potential and cultivating excellence through a focus on equity, access, and relationships.
Gabriel Bellagamba, School Psychologist email
Happy new school year! This is my 18th year working for MCPS. Within my time at MCPS, I have worked as a school psychologist and as a school administrator. This school year, I will be supporting Briggs Chaney Middle School and Paint Branch High School. I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with a Masters Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology. I also hold a Graduate Certificate in School Administration and Supervision. My spare time is filled with family activities (baseball games and family events). I am excited to see our returning students and for the opportunity to get to know our new students and staff. I know we will all have a great year together!
Ms. Michelle Chao, Social Worker email
Hi Briggs Chaney Bears! I’m Ms. Chao and this is my 4th year supporting the Bridge Program at Briggs Chaney Middle School. I’ve been serving people of all ages and stages in and out of schools for over 20 years as a Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C). I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. I love spending time with family and friends, listening to music,attending concerts and sporting events, eating delicious food, reading a good book and taking walks. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and supporting our students, families and staff. Let’s have a fabulous year!
Mr. Michael Bokal, Science email
Hello Briggs Chaney! This is my seventh year at BCMS in the Bridge Program and 22nd teaching Special Education (15th with MCPS). I hold a Master's Degree in Special Education from Loyola University. I am an avid outdoorsman, I love fishing, sports and my family. I am also the boys’ basketball coach and I am looking forward to having a great year and working with the students and staff here at Briggs Chaney.
Mr. David Chrismer, English Teacher email
My name is David Chrismer and this is my eighth year teaching at Briggs Chaney Middle School. This is also my eighth year in MCPS after spending six years teaching in Baltimore City Public Schools. A proud UMBC Honors College alum and Humanities Scholar, I am certified in Special Education with additional certifications in Secondary English and History. I have also had experience serving as an IEP Chair and a Transition Monitor. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family & cat, following my Baltimore sports teams, DJing, and getting lost in a good film, album, or book.
Ms. Lindsay Jones, Math email
My name is Lindsay Jones. I have worked in Montgomery County for 12 years and this is my 10th year at Briggs Chaney Middle School. I have my bachelor's degree from Utah State University and a Master's Degree from The George Washington University both in Special Education. I look forward to working with all of my students to make this a successful year for everyone!
Mr. Matthew Krichbaum, Social Studies Teacher email
Welcome back Briggs Chaney! My name is Matt Krichbaum, and this is my second year teaching, second year at Briggs Chaney, and 8th year in MCPS. I have 3 beautiful children who are my world, and another baby girl on the way in January! I love sports, especially the Washington Football Team and the Duke Blue Devils basketball team. This is my 10th year also coaching high school football in Montgomery County. I am currently the Defensive Line coach at Sherwood High School, my alma mater. I am looking forward to a great school year!
Welcome back Briggs Chaney! My name is Matt Krichbaum, and this is my fourth year teaching, fourth year at Briggs Chaney, and 9th year in MCPS. I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and my certification in Special Education to teach grades K-12. I have 4 beautiful children, Lily, Cameron, Kourtney, and Tessa, who are my world. I love sports, especially the Washington Commanders and the Duke Blue Devils basketball team. When I am not with my family, I enjoy playing slow pitch softball, and fantasy football. I am looking forward to a great school year!
Mr. Kevin Burroughs, Paraeducator email
My name is Kevin Burroughs. I am a paraeducator. This is my third year as a paraeducator, and my second year at MCPS. I have a wife who is an 8th grade science teacher at Farquhar Middle school, and two children who also attend in the MCPS school system. I have a degree in communications from West Virginia Wesleyan College. In my free time I love to travel in my RV, hike, play softball, coach my son's baseball team, follow the local Baltimore sports teams, and spend time with my wife and 2 kids.
Ms. Janet Chad, Paraeducator, Bridge Secretary email
I am happy to say that I have been working at Briggs Chaney Middle School for 25+ years. I am looking forward to a GREAT school year. I have two roles in the Bridge Program. I am the Bridge Secretary and also a Paraeducator. I grew up in Rockville and attended Montgomery County Public Schools. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Ms. Suzanne Davidson, Paraeducator email
My name is Suzanne Klein Davidson and I'm excited to return for my fifth year as a paraeducator on the Bridge Team at BCMS and my fifth year with MCPS. I have my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The American University and two Masters Degrees from Towson University, in Jewish History and Jewish Education. In addition to my work at BCMS, I teach Hebrew classes, Comparative Religions and Holocaust Studies. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, ballet classes, yoga, and traveling with my family. I am looking forward to a terrific school year.
Mr. Jason Schmorr, Paraeducator email
Hello! My name is Jason Schmorr and I am a Paraeducator at Briggs Chaney Middle School. This is my 8th year working as a Bridge Paraeducator in MCPS. I am originally from Rye, NY. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education at St. Andrews Presbyterian University in Laurinburg, NC. I am married to my beautiful wife Jenn, who is an ESOL teacher in MCPS. In my free time, I enjoy sports, traveling, hiking, attending concerts, and spending time with my family. I’m looking forward to a great school year!
Ms. Rachel Smith, Paraeducator email
Hi there! I am a proud 2011 graduate of Allegheny College in Pennsylvania where I earned degrees in History and Women's Studies. I love animals, the ocean, and sour candy! I also sing & play saxophone in a band called Daisy Road 🙂 This is my 10th year working for MCPS and my 7th year working in the Bridge Program here at Briggs Chaney. Let’s have a great 2023-2024 school year!
Ms. Teresa Wellens, Paraeducator email
Hello! This is my 8th year here at Briggs Chaney Middle School as a para educator in the Bridge Program. I grew up in Montgomery County and attended Montgomery College with a certificate in Human Resources. I enjoy spending time with my grandbabies, walking, reading and going to the beach any chance I get. Iḿ a big Washington sports (Commanders & Capitals) fan too! I’m looking forward to a wonderful new school year in person!
Jonathan Yannes, Paraeducator email
Hi Briggs Chaney! My name is Jonathan Yannes and this is my first year as a paraeducator! I just graduated from Goucher College in Towson, MD with a degree in history, and am in their graduate program for secondary education. Outside of the classroom I love cooking, poetry, and any excuse to dress in costumes with my friends. I have lived in Montgomery County my entire life and went to Blake HS. I am so excited for this year and I can't wait to learn a lot along with the students!
Lori Michel, Paraeducator email
Hello and welcome to a new school year at Briggs Chaney Middle School. My name is Lori Michel and I am starting my 17th year with MCPS supporting students as a paraeducator. My husband and I just celebrated 20 years of marriage and have 3 children. My oldest son, McKinley, will be attending the United States Naval Academy where he will be continuing his academic and gymnastics career. My middle son, Jameson, just committed to the University of Maryland where he will be continuing his academic and soccer career. My youngest daughter, Charlotte, is a freshman in highschool. She is a competitive gymnast and hopes to compete at the college level someday. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the beach, reading and taking long walks/hikes. I am looking forward to a great year!