Students from the The Academy, our therapeutic group-living program, who reside in our Staffa House for girls had the opportunity last weekend to select their perfect athletic shoes and a pair of athletic socks with a motivational message on them.

Big thanks to Charm City Run for helping our students find the perfect fit and donated several running shirts and sports bras for our girls with the promise of more in the near future! The Children’s Guild Alliance staff also made monetary contributions to help make this a reality. Another example of putting Kids First!

Monarch Global Academy, a public contract school with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, named Latrice Wiggins assistant principal. In her position, Wiggins will support school parent groups and coach teachers to build their instructional capacity.

“I have an earnest love of learning, as I believe knowledge is power. I love helping schools grow, teachers teach and students learn,” Wiggins said. “I’m excited to be part of this new school year and what it will bring for the students and staff at Monarch Global Academy.”

Wiggins brings 11 years of experience in education. Prior to joining Monarch Global Academy, she taught reading at Meade Heights Elementary School in Severn and Tyler Heights Elementary School in Annapolis. Previously, she taught third and fourth grades at Germantown Elementary School in Annapolis, an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School, and Van Bokkelen Elementary School in Severn.

She holds a certification in educational leadership from Goucher University. Wiggins earned her master’s degree in reading education from Bowie State University and bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Florida A&M University.

“We’re thrilled that Latrice will join us this year at Monarch Global Academy. Her passion for quality education, contagious energy and positive attitude will contribute to the transformative school culture our students, families and teachers have come to expect,” said Kathy Lane, chief of educational services for The Children’s Guild Alliance and Monarch Global Academy.

Monarch Academy charter and contract schools are affiliate members of The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations and dedicated to transforming how America educates and cares for its children through education, behavioral health and national training and consultation services. Affiliates of The Children’s Guild Alliance include The Children’s Guild, The Academy for Working Students (TAWS), TranZed Apprenticeships, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, Transformation Education Institute, National At-Risk Education Network (NAREN), Conference Center at The Children’s Guild Alliance and The National Children’s Guild Fund. (www.childrensguild.org)

Today, Monarch Academy Annapolis celebrated the school’s new outdoor classroom, nature-inspired play space for younger children and webbed climbing structure, basketball court, and soccer field for older students with a dedication ceremony.

Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel County executive, addressed the dedication ceremony and commended Monarch Academy Annapolis for their work to promote outdoor exercise, play, and learning. The new outdoor spaces were made possible through a $500,000 grant from Anne Arundel County.

“Our new outdoor classroom and play spaces will inspire our children and empower them to grow as learners, as people and as global citizens,” said Andrew L. Ross, president and CEO of The Children’s Guild Alliance, which operates Monarch Academy Annapolis. “The spaces support our curriculum themes of asking who we are, how the world works and how we can share our planet.”

This week, students from The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore and The Children’s Guild’s Academy group homes practiced their baseball throwing, catching and batting skills and played a game under the direction of professional baseball players with League of Dreams, which provides baseball experiences for children unable to compete in traditional leagues.

This amazing baseball clinic took place at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore and included David Hess, Orioles right-handed pitcher; Trey Mancini, Orioles infielder/outfielder; John Wasdin, Orioles bullpen coach; Adam Kolarek, Dodger left-handed pitcher; Mike Bordick, League of Dreams chairman, Orioles Hall of Famer and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network broadcaster; and Frank Kolarek, League of Dreams president and founder, University of Maryland baseball alumnus.

View coverage from WMAR

Monarch Academy Annapolis, a public contract school with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, named Brad Clapper assistant principal. In his position, Clapper will work with students, teachers and staff members to help increase student achievement as well as manage state and local testing programs.

“My goal is for every student in our building to feel they can be successful in the classroom and develop a love of learning,” Clapper said.

Clapper brings experience establishing a student-centered vision throughout the school, administering performance assessments, facilitating research-based training and professional development for teachers, observing classrooms and providing feedback to teachers. Prior to joining Monarch Academy Annapolis, Clapper taught math at Belle Grove Elementary School, where he held leadership positions. He also was a teacher at Brooklyn Park Elementary School and Marshall Elementary School.

He holds Administrator I Certification in school improvement leadership as well as certification in elementary and middle school education. Clapper earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Elizabethtown College.

“We are so excited to have Brad’s instructional leadership and passion for creating the conditions for engaging experiences for all our students, staff and families at Monarch,” said Kathy Lane, chief of educational services for The Children’s Guild Alliance and Monarch Academy Annapolis.

Clapper lives in Crownsville.

Monarch Academy charter and contract schools are affiliate members of The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations and dedicated to transforming how America educates and cares for its children through education, behavioral health and national training and consultation services. Affiliates of The Children’s Guild Alliance include The Children’s Guild, The Academy for Working Students (TAWS), TranZed Apprenticeships, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, Transformation Education Institute, National At-Risk Education Network (NAREN), Conference Center at The Children’s Guild Alliance and The National Children’s Guild Fund.