Ask the MSDE Mathematics Team

Donna Watts

Donna Watts is the Maryland State Coordinator of Mathematics. As State Coordinator Ms Watts oversees K-12 mathematics education in Maryland. She coordinates the development of the K-12 mathematics standards, the state mathematics curriculum, the Maryland mathematics assessments for grades 3-12, and professional development for Maryland mathematics teachers. Ms Watts works with representatives from college and university mathematics and mathematics education departments to promote K-16 mathematics education. Ms Watts has been a mathematics educator for 27 years. Prior to coming to MSDE she was the mathematics chair in Baltimore County Public Schools.

Marci Frye

Marci Frye is a Mathematics Specialist at the Maryland State Department of Education. She facilitates the development of the Maryland State Assessments and the Maryland State Curriculum, as well as provides professional development for Maryland teachers. Ms. Frye was a classroom teacher for 23 years in Montgomery County, teaching mathematics in Junior and Senior High School. Prior to coming to MSDE she was a mathematics specialist for 13 years at the district level in Montgomery County.

Linda Kaniecki

Linda Kaniecki is a Mathematics Specialist at the Maryland State Department of Education. She facilitates the development of the Maryland state assessments and the Maryland state curriculum as well as provides professional development for Maryland teachers. Ms Kaniecki taught high school mathematics for 17 years in Harford County public schools. Prior to coming to MSDE, she was the mathematics department chair at Joppatowne High School and participated in countywide curriculum development.

Bette Kundert

Bette Kundert is a Mathematics Specialist at the Maryland State Department of Education. She facilitates the development of the Maryland State Assessments and the Maryland State Curriculum, and provides professional development for Maryland teachers. Mrs. Kundert comes to MSDE from Howard County Public Schools where she had experience as an elementary classroom teacher, a Mathematics Resource Teacher, and a Math Support Teacher.

Sarah Reed

Sara Reed is a Race to the Top Mathematics Specialist at the Maryland State Department of Education. She facilitates the development of materials to support the Race to the Top initiative and develops and delivers professional development for Maryland teachers.

Prior to coming to work for MSDE, Ms Reed taught secondary mathematics in Montgomery County and Dallas, Texas. In this capacity she taught Grade 6 Mathematics to Geometry. Ms Reed was Resource Teacher for the department for 25 years and taught for 35 years. After retiring she returned to work for Montgomery County Board of Education for seven years writing curriculum and training mathematics teachers. She had also been a long term substitute for mathematics in Geometry and Algebra.

Karen Ross

Karen Ross is a Mathematics Specialist at the Maryland State Department of Education. She facilitates the development of the Maryland state assessments and the Maryland state curriculum, as well as provides professional development for Maryland teachers. Ms. Ross comes to the Department from Baltimore County Public Schools as a middle school mathematics teacher. During her tenure there, Ms. Ross facilitated a statewide group of elementary and middle school teachers for PBS MATHLINE's Middle School Project and was an active member of the county's Secondary School Math Assistance Resource Team. Prior to her career in teaching, Ms. Ross was a writer and public affairs consultant in Washington, DC.

Debbie Ward

Debby Ward is a Race to the Top Mathematics Specialist at the Maryland State Department of Education. She facilitates the development of materials to support the Race to the Top initiative and develops and delivers professional development for Maryland teachers.

Prior to coming to work for MSDE, Ms Ward taught secondary mathematics in Anne Arundel County. In this capacity she taught everything from Grade 6 Mathematics to BC Calculus and also served as the Mathematics Department Chair of Old Mill High School. After 30 years in the classroom, Ms. Ward took a position with the Central Office of Anne Arundel County Public Schools where she served for 5 years as a teacher specialist in the Mathematics office. As a teacher specialist, Ms. Ward planned and delivered professional development to the mathematics teachers of Anne Arundel County; wrote county assessments and curriculum and provided support to schools. Ms. Ward has also served as an adjunct instructor for UMBC and Anne Arundel Community College.