Mr. Kennis Austin grew up in Horntown, VA. He attended Chincoteague High School and upon graduation, attended Eastern Shore Community College earning an associate’s degree in Applied Science in Business Management. Afterwards, he attended Radford University in Virginia where he received an undergraduate degree in History. In addition, he received a Master's Degree from Old Dominion University in History with a certification in teaching grades 7-12.
He has worked in Worcester County Schools since 1995 (29 years) as a Social Studies/History teacher, Extended School Administrator and Assistant Principal at both the middle and high school. He is currently a Student Services Specialist for the Pocomoke City Schools.
“My inspiration to pursue a career in education was my own elementary school teachers while I was a student. They dedicated their lives to help me achieve and realize my potential and I wanted to do the same for children! A motto that I remember hearing from my early years as an educator, "Only What You Do for Children Will be Remembered."
IMPORTANT BOE UPDATE: Tomorrow's special meeting of the Board of Education has been cancelled at the request of the State due to extenuating circumstances. The meeting will be rescheduled. Full details are in the image below.
Congratulations to Logan Hurney who placed 3rd Place in the 500m event at Maryland Track and Field State Championships! #EaglesSoar
Always Anonymous, Always Available. There are many ways you can submit an anonymous tip to Safe Schools Maryland. Save this phone number and/or download the app to keep this information readily available. #WeAreWorcester #PartnershipsInAction
Mr. Deshon Purnell is a Worcester County/Berlin native who had the pleasure of attending all the northern end schools, Buckingham Elementary, Berlin Intermediate, Stephen Decatur Middle School and Stephen Decatur High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Salisbury University and then Master's from Wilmington University. He started his professional educational journey in Dorchester County where he was able to branch out and experience new things. As a WCPS employee, he’s held positions such as BES School Counselor, SDHS School Counselor, BES Assistant Principal and now, currently, SDHS Assistant Principal.
“I enjoy my job because I get to interact with students and adults from all walks of life, and this is the main reason why I got into education. Words of advice I would like to share is, work hard and stay humble, be kind to one another and lastly in the words of Morgan Freeman, accept people as they are, but place them where they belong. You are the CEO of your life. Hire, fire and promote accordingly.
Join us this Saturday at Snow Hill High School for Thirty-One Bingo to benefit the Snow Hill High School baseball team. Doors open at 5:00!
Big congratulations to our incredible wrestling coach for clinching the Bayside Conference Coaches Sportsmanship Award! 🏆 Your dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship inspire us all. Thank you for being an amazing mentor both on and off the mat! #Sportsmanship #EaglesSoar
BREAKING: The Worcester County Board of Education has adopted the 2024-2025 school system calendar. View the presentation at http://tinyurl.com/2425CalPres. The new calendar will be added to the website this week.
Join us at Snow Hill High School for "Parent & Teacher Conference Plus Night" on February 26, 4-6 PM. Scan the QR code to sign up for conferences and strengthen the home-school partnership! 📚✨ #ParentTeacherConference #SnowHillHighSchool #EaglesSoar
Don't miss the 2024 WCPS Media Expo at Snow Hill High School this Thursday, Feb 22! Interactive stations and gallery open at 5 PM. Celebrate creativity with Elementary Awards at 6 PM, followed by Secondary Awards. New location and revised format, same great innovation!
Attention SHHS Families...After School Academy will NOT meet this Thursday, 2/22, due to the WCPS Media Expo being held at SHHS. Driver's Education WILL still meet, however, students MUST have their own transportation as not busses will be running that evening.
Ms. Tatiyana Johnson serves as the Family and Consumer Science teacher at Stephen Decatur High School. After graduating from Washington High School in Somerset County she journeyed on to graduate from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore with a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Science.
“My inspiration of becoming a teacher began in high school with my Art teacher Ms. Amy Rowland. As a new student entering a new school and new environment. Amy made me feel very comfortable in her classroom. She treated me like I was on her own, by checking up on each day, always saying "Hi" to me in the hallway and always giving a word on advice about any situation! The way she interacted with her students and made sure they felt safe inspired me to become a teacher just like her. Anything I would like to share I love what I do as a teacher! Having students come to me for advice or just a shoulder to listen has warmed my heart each day I am here!
Good luck to our Indoor Track Team as they complete at States today! The Hilltop is cheering for you! ❤️🩶
Ms. La’Tier Evans, a graduate of Crisfield High School’s class of 2017, is a Math Teacher at Pocomoke High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Secondary Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum Writing and Instruction.
“My mom was a preschool teacher and I used to help in her classroom after school, which sparked my desire to become a teacher. A word of advice to all students is: Who you are inside and out is important! That being said don't forget who you are.”
My advice to students is this: recognize and stand confidently in who you are and not seek validation from others because your worth isn’t determined by what others think of you. You will frustrate and fail yourself by constantly trying to achieve a measure of someone else’s expectations. Even when obstacles arise, stay committed to your goals and use the gifts that you’ve been uniquely blessed with to fulfill your purpose in this journey called life.”
Watch the Bayside Wrestling Championships today and cheer on our Eagles! ❤️🩶🤼♂️🤼♀️
Come out to support your Eagles this week! 🩶❤️
A graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, Mrs. Ari Johnson is now serving in her 24th year as an educator. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a Master of Education in School Counseling from, then, Wilmington College, now University.
“I knew I wanted to become a teacher after my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Phillips, showed a keen interest in me and made me feel special. My passion for teaching was further fueled by African American teachers like Dr. Mark Bowen and Mrs. Liaina Mapp (to name a few) who recognized my potential, challenged and poured into me on an academic and personal level. Having teachers who looked like me who I could emulate and relate to was powerful. However, none of that would have mattered if it weren’t for my parents who set a firm foundation with the expectation that I would always excel academically and not settle for less than I could do or deserve.
Students: recognize and stand confidently in who you are and not seek validation from others because your worth isn’t determined by what others think of you. You will frustrate and fail yourself by constantly trying to achieve the measure of someone else’s standard and expectation. Even when obstacles arise, stay committed to your goals and use the gifts that you’ve been uniquely blessed with to fulfill your purpose in this journey called life.”
Mr. Tatum Townsend is a graduate of Arcadia High School who is in his 15th year of teaching. The first 5 years were spent in Virginia and the last 10 have been in Maryland. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education (K-6) from Salisbury University along with a Middle School Mathematics Certification. In 2022 he completed his master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.
“My reason for teaching was so that I could give back to my community and be a positive role model for students that looked like myself. It can be difficult for young people to see the need of excelling in an area that has little to no examples. I wanted to be that representation for them.”
We can't wait to hear from SHHS Class of 1999 Alum Dr. Annette Wallace as our Home to the Hill Honor Alumni Speaker next month!
Mrs. Shelonda Townsend, a graduate of Pocomoke High School, serves as the Social Worker for Snow Hill High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services and a master’s degree in Social Work. She also has a Clinical Social Work License in Maryland and Virginia.
“I became interested in becoming a School Social Worker because I enjoy supporting children and having the opportunity to help them where they are. Doing this work fulfills my inherent belief that counseling and support should be accessible.
My words of advice to students: Take advantage of your time and support here at school. Focus on your goals. Develop a strong support system with like-minded individuals. Keep going even when the going gets tough.
