Melissa Shindel

Glenwood Middle School
Howard County Public School System
Glenwood, Maryland
[email protected]

Melissa Shindel has been a middle school administrator for over 15 years. So, when she arrived at Glenwood Middle School just a few days before the start of the school year to find that there was no School Improvement Plan in place, she was ready to rise to the challenge. Despite having no summer to prepare, Shindel led a comprehensive schoolwide data review to understand the root causes underlying student performance and to identify strategies for improvement–all the while engaging teacher leaders to create the professional learning plan needed to positively impact student achievement and school climate. Now, with a clear and unified vision, learning expectations are more consistent and impactful for students. In tandem with this professional revitalization in service of school improvement, Shindel has invested significant resources into elevating student voices at Glenwood, through a unique initiative called Glenwood Voices, which provides a space for students and staff to engage in dialogues about culture, race, identity, and belonging. This initiative is fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and empowerment at Glenwood and intentionally leverages student perspectives to develop actionable strategies for improving school culture. Shindel is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where she earned a B.A. in English, Speech Communication, and Secondary Education, and an M.A. in Education Policy, Planning, and Administration.