Ms. Ellen Ashby

Special Educator

Hello everyone,

I am very excited for the new school year and to have your exceptional students in our class. As we start my 16th year teaching and my 3rd year teaching in PGCPS, I am looking forward to being part of the educational team that promotes excellence and encourages growth in our students. In addition, I am looking forward to working with you as part of that team, as we all “Adapt, Accept, and Achieve through the New Norm” that this school year brings! Welcome to Gwynn Park Middle School!

"It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become." - Dr. Seuss

Ms. Phyllis Lomax

Special Educator

Greetings my wonderful 6th grade parents and students! I am originally from Philadelphia, PA. I have been an educator for 40 years, teaching in Fairfax and Prince William County Schools, as well for the DC Department of Corrections. I have been teaching in Prince George's County for 6 years. I am very passionate about encouraging students to become leaders in government, politics, education and business. I have one adult daughter, and I love reading and spending time with family and friends in my spare time.

"Talking a lot is not the same thing as saying something." - Anonymous

Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks

Itinerant Special Education Assistant

I was born in Washington DC and grew up in Upper Marlboro, MD. I have been teaching in Prince George's County for 10 years. I started at Brandywine Elementary for 2 years and have been with the GPMS family for the last 8 years. My hope for this year is to help make it a little less stressful for students by providing one-on-one and small group support to students to reinforce instruction previously initiated by the teacher. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, cooking, being outside, boxing and weightlifting.

“I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dreams”. ~Oprah Winfrey

Mrs. Daria Price

Educator, E.S.O.L (English as a Second Language)

I am very glad to begin my 27th year in education with you all as I join the RELA team at Gwynn Park Middle School. As we begin this monumental year of change and exploration, know that I am here to assist you throughout the process and year. My desire is that my love for reading and literature will be shared with you all. Parents, I plan to work with you and your students in order to ensure this year is an enriching and enlightening experience. I will see you in class and can’t wait to meet you.

I am a highly qualified teacher who is entering my 27th year as an educator. I majored in Spanish and Education while minoring in Russian and Business Administration at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. I earned my 1st Master’s degree in Special Education with a specialization in Serious Emotional Disturbance in Adolescence and an Education Specialist degree in Special Education with specialization in Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury, both from The George Washington University. I continued to further my education at The University of Maryland at College Park, where I obtained another Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in (TESOL) Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. When I am not teaching, I enjoy traveling abroad while exploring cultures and customs, learning languages and spending time with family.

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin

Ms. Andrea Crowder, M.Ed

Professional School Counselor

Email: andrea2.crowder@pgcps.org

Throughout my childhood growing up in Philadelphia, PA and various areas of southern NJ, I have always enjoyed helping others. For me it was a given that I would graduate from high school and major in a discipline that would allow me to do just that. I received my bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Virginia State University and began my career counseling children in the community setting while completing my Master’s degree in School Counseling (also from VSU), and a certification in Special Education from Virginia Union University. Fortunately, I was able to combine my education and experience during my time teaching elementary and middle school Special Education with Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, VA. Years later, I returned to Philadelphia and continued to work in public schools in the capacities of behavioral and mental health until becoming a Professional School Counselor in 2018. My hopes and aspirations for my students are that each and every one of them realize their infinite potential and never stops working toward being the absolute best versions of themselves. I am excited to join the GPMS family!

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up”—Nelson Mandela