LA PLATA, Md., May 15, 2025 — Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) announced three new principal appointments, six new assistant principal appointments, and multiple assistant principal transfers, effective July 1, for the 2025-2026 school year. Approved by the Board of Education at its May 13 meeting, these changes span elementary, middle, and high school levels, reflecting the district’s commitment to strong leadership across its 37 schools.
Jasmine Bateman, Ed.D., was named principal of Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA), replacing R. Demetri Sermons, Ed.D., who will move to Gale-Bailey Elementary School as principal. Bateman, currently an assistant principal at Thomas Stone High School, joined CCPS in 2022 after 11 years with Paterson Public Schools in New Jersey. Davita Itsuokor will serve as principal of Mary H. Matula Elementary School, filling a vacancy created by Carrie Richardson’s mid-year retirement in December 2024. Itsuokor, an assistant principal at Matthew Henson Middle School since 2023, previously worked as an assistant principal in Howard County Public Schools and taught in multiple districts. Jennifer Posey was appointed principal of Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School, succeeding Shannon Finnegan, Ed.D., who retires June 30. Posey, an assistant principal at William B. Wade Elementary School, has been with CCPS since 2009, starting as a science teacher and becoming an assistant principal in 2018.
Six new assistant principals were appointed. Rachel Baker, currently an instructional resource teacher at Indian Head Elementary, will serve at Berry Elementary School. Rosalind Carter, an administrative intern at North Point High School, was named assistant principal at Theodore G. Davis Middle School. Amber Parry, a special education teacher at Dr. James Craik Elementary, will join Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School. Bianca Valdez, a fifth-grade teacher at Malcolm Elementary, and Keyanna Williams, a fourth-grade teacher at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary, were both appointed assistant principals at Margaret J. Thornton Elementary School. Kaitlyn Zaccarelli, an administrative intern at La Plata High School, will serve at Henry E. Lackey High School.
Several principal and assistant principal transfers were also announced. R. Demetri Sermons, Ed.D., will move from PISOTA to Gale-Bailey Elementary, and Tangela Scales, Ed.D., will transfer from Gale-Bailey to William B. Wade Elementary, both changes previously announced. Assistant principal transfers include Brian Craley from La Plata High School to Maurice J. McDonough High School, Sonja Djossou from McDonough to Thomas Stone High School, and Michael Enrico from Matthew Henson Middle School to William B. Wade Elementary.
Other transfers involve Bryan Hill to PISOTA, Mike Heiser to Thomas Stone, Ivy Hodges to North Point, and Andrea Johnson to William A. Diggs Elementary. Additional moves include Kenneth Myers to C. Paul Barnhart Elementary, Carl Pascarella to La Plata High School, Nyesha Lanes Sherman to Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary, Brad Snow to the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, Twanna Taylor to William B. Wade Elementary, Derrick Thornton to Matthew Henson Middle School, Erica Watson to J.P. Ryon Elementary, Melissa Withrow to J.C. Parks Elementary, and Brittany Yhap to Matthew Henson Middle School.
These appointments and transfers align with CCPS’s ongoing efforts to place experienced and dedicated leaders in roles that support student achievement and school operations. The district, serving approximately 27,000 students, emphasizes professional development and strategic leadership to meet the needs of its diverse student population. The changes reflect a mix of internal promotions, lateral moves, and transitions to new roles, ensuring continuity and fresh perspectives across schools.
