Program Specialist
Sarah Ashley
Sarah Ashley (Voskuhl) has been an educator for 19 years. Mrs. Ashley began her career at North Harford High School teaching mathematics. After three years, she came to the Science and Mathematics Academy as a mathematics teacher. Mrs. Ashley is now the Program Specialist for the SMA, and is responsible for admissions, curriculum, capstone project logistics, and student achievement. Mrs. Ashley earned an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from McDaniel College in 2004. Mrs. Ashley was the recipient of the Charles J. Miller Award for Excellence in Mathematics Education in 2003 and was designated a Meritorious New Teacher Candidate in 2004. Mrs. Ashley earned a Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from Towson University in 2009. While teaching, Ms. Ashley earned her Administrative I License from Towson University. She is the Academic Team advisor and Senior Class advisor. Mrs. Ashley was the 2013 recipient of the MCTM Outstanding Mathematics Educator Award, 2015 William J. Sacco Mathematics Educator Awardee, and 2015 MD State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented Education Teacher Leader Awardee. Mrs. Ashley was also a 2016 Northeastern Maryland Technology Council STEM Innovator Awardee. In 2017 Mrs. Ashley became a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent and Young Adult Mathematics .
sarah.ashley@hcps.org
Mathematics Teacher
Mark Evans
Mark Evans has been teaching mathematics for 24 years. He earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education and his Master's in Applied and Industrial Mathematics, both from Towson University. Mr. Evans served on the steering committee for the Science and Mathematics Academy from 2001 until it opened in 2004. He helped develop the curriculum for the four Science, Research, and Technology (SRT) courses at the SMA. In addition he wrote the curriculum for the Robotics, Cryptology, and Microcontrollers electives. In 2008 Mr. Evans was a teacher of the year finalist. He helped start and run the FIRST robotics team at Aberdeen in 2006.
mark.evans@hcps.org
Science Teacher
Yvonne Gabriel
Yvonne Gabriel came to the SMA in 2006, after 10 years of teaching in Baltimore City and County. She has earned a variety of certifications during her teaching career, including Earth Sciences, Health Sciences, Administrative Leadership I, Special Ed, and Reading. Additionally, she has earned certification by the National Board for Professional Science Teachers. Her recent teaching assignments have included Earth Science, AP Environmental Science, SRT 3 and 4, Health, and elective classes in Kinesiology and Sports Physiology. She has also contributed to the development of various county science curricula and the new HCPS Teacher Evaluation tool. Ms. Gabriel was selected to be the graduation speaker for AHS in 2012, for her role as STEM Coordinator and was also a 2008 Teacher of the Year finalist. She has attended West Chester, Saint Joseph's, and Towson Universities and continues to participate in post graduate studies as a perpetual enthusiast of learning. Yvonne was a 2023 Maryland FINALIST for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Mrs. Gabriel is also a National Board Certified Teacher. She loves working and learning with the students and teachers of the SMA!
yvonne.gabriel@hcps.org
Mathematics Teacher
Diana Liberto
Diana Liberto has taught Mathematics for 18 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Elon University in 2005 and her graduate degree in Mathematics Education from Wake Forest University. While teaching, Diana earned her Administrative I License from Towson University. In 2011, she became a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent and Young Adult Mathematics. While at North Harford High School, Ms. Liberto created a school-based student study period and coordinated the Master Tutor program. She was the AHS/SMA site coordinator for the National Math and Science Initiative. She has coached Tennis, led the Academic Team and participated on the school improvement team. Ms. Liberto was a teacher of the year nominee in 2013. Ms. Liberto was the 2013 Raytheon Math Hero Awardee and 2014 recipient of the William J. Sacco Mathematics Educator Award.
diana.liberto@hcps.org
Mathematics Teacher
Tim Polack
Tim Polack is entering his 10th year of teaching. He is a product of Harford County Public Schools (EHS class of 2010) and earned his undergraduate degree in Math and Secondary Education from Salisbury University, where in 2014 he was recognized as a Maryland Teacher of Promise. In 2022 he earned his Master's in Mathematics Education from Towson University. Mr. Polack has worked in the math department and the Project Lead The Way program during his time at Aberdeen, and was a 2021 William J. Sacco Mathematics Educator Awardee. Mr. Polack is excited to be joining the SMA team in 2023.
timothy.polack@hcps.org
Science Teacher
Mike Homishak
Mike Homishak joined the SMA in 2022 after 9 years as a biology teacher with Baltimore County Public Schools. Mr. Homishak received his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Secondary Education from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania in 2013, and his Master of Science in Business and Technology Management from Stevenson University in 2018. Mr. Homishak taught AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, Living Systems, and Earth Systems with Baltimore County Public Schools. Mr. Homishak began his career at Chesapeake High School, where he served as the Advanced Academics Facilitator and advisor of Science National Honor Society. During this time, he created and ran the AP Summer Science Institute at Chesapeake in conjunction with the Environmental Science magnet pathway. As an ongoing learner, he received his AVID educator certification in 2021 and continues to participate in post-graduate courses.
michael.homishak@hcps.org
Science Teacher
Jason Sherid
Jason Sherid is a physics teacher with a total of 23 years of experience between Harford Christian School, Baltimore County Public Schools, and now with HCPS. He joined the SMA in 2019 as a Physics teacher. He studied Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at Bob Jones University, and he earned his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. He taught Physical Science, Health, Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, Physics, and AP Physics 1 at the high school level. Mr. Sherid worked as a curriculum writer for the Baltimore County Technology curriculum and helped plan and facilitate the Baltimore County Physics Olympics. Mr. Sherid received his Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2019 from Liberty University.
jason.sherid@hcps.org
Science Teacher
Aaron Simmons
Aaron Simmons has been teaching Chemistry at Aberdeen High School for 15 years and joined the SMA in 2017. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Bethany College in 2000. He then worked as a chemist for Matco Associates, Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA followed by Thomas Steel Strip Corporation in Warren, OH. Upon receiving a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Science Education from West Virginia University in 2005, Mr. Simmons moved to Maryland to join Harford County Public Schools. Some of the topics that he brings to the classroom from his professional experience prior to teaching include electroplating, wastewater analysis, aqueous geochemistry, metallurgy, and industrial corrosion/failure analysis. He has previously taught Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry. Mr. Simmons has also been on the HCPS Chemistry curriculum writing team for the past three years and continues to work towards the current shifts in content and process required for the Next Generation Science Standards. When he is out of the classroom, he loves spending time with his family, traveling, enjoying the outdoors, and playing music with his bandmates at various venues in the Harford County Area.
aaron.simmons@hcps.org
Mathematics Teacher
Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster attended the University of Delaware where he earned an undergraduate degree in Economics. He then went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Millersville University. Andrew is currently working on his masters through an online program at Walden with other course work at UMBC. He is an avid welder and metal fabricator. He has a passion for cars and has been working on a couple of electric car conversions.
andrew.webster@hcps.org