Janet Thomas

Janet Thomas has served family and children for four decades as a teacher, mentor, educational leader and child advocate. She has worked tirelessly to ensure all students are engaged and acquire the needed skills to develop confidence, meet set goals and standards and are able to compete in the global world economy. Her mantra is that all students can learn to their maximum potential given equitable advantages.

She received formal training from Hunter College in New York City where she obtained a BA in English with a minor in Education and a MS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She received a Supervision and Administration Certification in Education from McDaniel College in Maryland. Janet holds educational certifications which includes a New York State Permanent Certification, a Maryland State Teachers’ Certification, and a Maryland Administration I and II Certification.

Her educational experience runs the gamut of teaching and administration in an early childhood center with emphasis on play therapy to teaching and coaching Math (with emphasis on competency and fluency in areas of functional math, pre-algebra, algebra 1 and geometry) in the middle school setting. As an instructional math coach, she provided training and supports for teachers to improve instruction and student achievement. This position entailed implementing and providing additional support services for students which included tutoring, organization, testing and study skills.

Janet served as the Alternative Governance Leader collaborating with staff and administration at Oxon Hill Middle School to improve student progress and show overall improvement in the school’s test scores. As an educational leader and coordinator, she collaborated with community members and staff to facilitate a number of mentoring programs to ensure students were exposed to varied opportunities and experiences.

As a former foster care caseworker in New York City, Janet managed and planned long term care for families and children in the foster care system. This included monitoring, communicating with families, gathering data, utilizing available resources and providing services to support established goals for the best interest of the children.

Janet has received a number of awards and commendations for her work with children and families. However, the most rewarding has been witnessing the success of her former students as they pursue desired goals, career opportunities and make positive impact in their communities.

As Janet embarks on a new phase of her life and career, she is counting on her energy to sustain her as she explores new adventures and opportunities. She relies on her love for exercise, which includes, working out at the gym, walking and hiking the trails, and dancing. Her motto is “energy begets energy”! She also enjoys spending time outdoors overlooking the mountain splendor, running through the sand on a crystal beach, or enjoying the sights and sounds on an amazing trail. She looks forward to learning new skills, be it technology, upholstering a chair or the art of gardening.