A. Mario Loiederman Middle School

Education: B.A. Secondary Education and Literature from American University; M.S. Gifted Education from Johns Hopkins University, Certificate in Administration from Hood College.

During her first 17 years in MCPS, Ms. McLaughlin was an English Teacher in five different middle schools. In 2005, Ms. McLaughlin helped open Loiederman as a 7th Grade English teacher and Team Leader. She enjoys working at a creative and performing arts school because she believes that the arts have an invaluable impact on the confidence and creativity of students. Ms. McLaughlin loves being able to watch Loiederman students shine in the classroom and on the stage.

Education: B.A. Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park; Master of Arts in Teaching from American University; Certificate in Administration from Hood College. 

Aaron Barnett has worked in MCPS for 13 years.  He spent time as a Social Studies teacher and team leader at Shady Grove Middle School and then as a Social Studies resource teacher at Roberto Clemente Middle School.  He moved to central office as a Social Studies instructional specialist and then spent the last four years at Takoma Park Middle School as an Assistant Principal before joining the Loiederman community. 

Mr. Barnett is excited to join this wonderful school community with a focus on the arts.  He played trombone from middle school through college and was part of the marching band, pit orchestra and many other ensembles, so he understands the power of the arts to enrich and transform lives.  Mr. Barnett is looking forward to meeting all of the students, teachers and community members

Education: B.A. English Literature from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; M.A. English Literature and M.Ed. Special Education and Early Childhood from Bowie State University, Certificate in Administration from Trinity University.

Eriel Jeffery has worked in MCPS for 6 years. She taught English and Spanish in Prince George's County and Washington, DC before moving to Montgomery County Public Schools, where she spent time as a special education teacher, Autism Resource Services Coordinator and Resource Teacher for Special Education at John F. Kennedy High School.  She comes to Loiederman as an Assistant Principal after spending a brief period as Acting Assistant Principal at Kennedy.

She looks forward to working with the Loiederman community, where she can continue to show her commitment to promoting a learning environment where all students feel valued, challenged, and motivated to excel.

Education: B.S. Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology from Salisbury University; M.S. Teacher Leadership with a focus in Mathematics from the University of Maryland and an Administration Certificate from McDaniel College. 

Ms. Pontious has served in the Wheaton cluster all 13 years of her MCPS career.  She started off as an Elementary teacher at Harmony Hills Elementary.  Ms. Pontious continued on to Parkland Magnet Middle School where was a Mathematics teacher, Alternative Programs teacher and later became the Assistant Principal. She is very excited to continue on with her career at Loiederman. She is eager to see all the students succeed when given the opportunity to explore the arts that they are passionate about.