INDIAN HEAD, Md. — Marissa Ackerman, community school coordinator at Indian Head Elementary School, received recognition as a Community School Champion for Maryland’s Southern region during the Maryland Center for Community Schools annual convening at Towson University on March 18.
The award honors coordinators who transform schools into community hubs offering wraparound services to remove barriers to learning. Ackerman stands out for building partnerships that deliver food access, health care and after-school programs while keeping academic success at the center of the effort.
Four years ago Ackerman stepped into the coordinator position at Indian Head Elementary. A family needs assessment identified priorities including food, health services and after-school activities. She responded by forging ties with churches, businesses, resource groups and organizations eager to support the school.
A bi-weekly food pantry now operates at the school, staffed by volunteers. Ackerman emphasized sustainability. “The goal is to provide sustainable opportunities for families, so that if my job or funding went away, it will still be able to run,” she said. “That’s the goal so we aren’t relying on funding, instead we are relying on the community.”
The Dr. Chinnadurai Devadason School-Based Health Center opened earlier this month on the Indian Head campus. It serves all Charles County Public Schools students with sick visits, injury care, wellness checks, physicals and school health inventories.
After-school programming expanded as well. A fall writing workshop strengthened student skills. This spring clubs in gardening, cheerleading, sports and art meet twice weekly with transportation provided. Tutors work with students four times a week to support academic achievement. “Academic success is always the main goal,” Ackerman said.
Robynn Mudd, community school coordinator at Glymont Middle School, praised Ackerman’s approach. “Marissa is a strong, student- and family-centered advocate who consistently works to ensure the needs of the Indian Head community are heard and addressed,” Mudd said. “Her advocacy is both proactive and compassionate, focusing on building trust and long-term relationships.”
Shane Blandford, principal of Indian Head Elementary, highlighted her partnership skills. “Her ability to build strong community partnerships stand out,” Blandford said. “Her collaborative approach allows her to work effectively with staff, families and community members, ensuring that supports are aligned and impactful.”
Ackerman began her career as a teacher before stepping away to raise children. In North Carolina she launched Triangle Mommies, an online forum for parents that grew to 4,000 members. After returning to Charles County, where she and her husband grew up, she substituted and then taught at Dr. James Craik Elementary School. The community school coordinator role matched her experience. “I read about it and thought it was a really good fit for everything I’ve done over the years and it had an education focus as well,” she said.
She is the second community school coordinator hired by Charles County Public Schools, following Andrill Harris at Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School. Harris received the same Champion award last year. Ackerman recently earned the Town of Indian Head Community Champion of the Year Award.
Charles County operates 14 community schools as part of more than 600 across Maryland. Locations include Dr. Mudd, Dr. Gustavus Brown, C. Paul Barnhart, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Eva Turner, Indian Head, J.C. Parks, J.P. Ryon, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy, William B. Wade elementary schools, Benjamin Stoddert, John Hanson and Glymont middle schools, and Thomas Stone High School. Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary was the first in the county.
Ackerman already plans the next needs assessment. “Every day looks different, there’s always something to do,” she said. “I love coming to work every day. I really love this job.”
Her work reflects the core community schools principle that neighbors support neighbors to strengthen education and family stability in Southern Maryland.
