Published on Oakdale Middle School (https://education.fcps.org/oms)

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Karen Shomaker

240-236-5557

Job Title: 

Advanced Academics Specialist
karen.shomaker@fcps.org

Name: 

Shomaker, Karen

Department: 

Specialist

Enrichment and Advanced Academics at Oakdale Middle

 

 

As the Enrichment Specialist at OMS since 2002, I love working with classroom teachers to help students grow and shine. My primary focus is working with the teachers (and students!) in the Highly Able Learner Program to provide differentiation, challenge and rigor to meet the diverse needs of our students.  Before transitioning to the world of Advanced Academics, I taught math, Integrated Studies, Social Studies, Careers in Tech, and Creative Arts.  I love the quarks of middle schoolers and believe in the power of positive role models. 

I grew up here in Frederick County where I attended Green Valley Elementary and New Market Middle before graduating from Linganore High School in 1985.  I attended Montgomery Community College and then earned a BS in mathematics from Mary Washington College. I enjoy taking grad classes and working with and learning from other passionate teachers.

In my free time I enjoy reading, antiquing, walking, photography, and traveling. I am proud of Oakdale's welcoming and supportive culture and tradition of excellence. I truly believe we are providing a worthwhile and engaging opportunities for students to learn, grow, and explore their passions and interests.

 

 

 

Highly Able Learner Program

HAL Program Highlights

 
FOCUS: 

  • Designed to provide academic rigor and challenge for HAL
  • Clusters in language arts, math, science and social studies
  • Strives to meet these students' specific learning styles and academic requirements in the subject areas of their strengths 

 

 

 

 

GROUPING: 

  • Scheduled by “cluster grouping” HAL (research based strategy)
  • Utilize flexible grouping to group and re-group based on needs of learners
  • Allow teachers to provide challenging learning opportunities and set a more rapid pace

 

 ESSENTIAL FCPS CURRICULUM:

  • Place greater emphasis on depth and complexity
  • Focus on students' abilities and interests
  • Differentiated in content, process, and products to better meet needs 

 STRATEGIES: 

  • Promote deep understanding of content
  • Use hands-on exploratory activities
  • Foster learning through personal discovery and problem-solving
  • Emphasize critical, logical and creative thinking

 

ASSIGNMENTS: 

  • Require research and application of knowledge
  • Necessitate time management and greater independence
  • Focus on more abstract and advanced analytical thinking and creative problem solving

 

Source URL: https://education.fcps.org/oms/karenshomaker