Board of Education
Board of Education Meetings
The Board of Education holds monthly meetings and work sessions throughout the year. Meeting agendas, minutes, supporting documents and archived meeting videos are available. Meetings generally begin with a work session at 5:00 p.m. followed by the general meeting at 6:00 p.m. Board of Education meetings are held at the Talbot County Education Center, and the public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The Talbot County Public Schools Board of Education is in the process of adopting a new platform for Board meetings. This platform, known as BoardDocs, will share the meeting agendas and documents from the Board meetings with the public and will also provide live coverage of the Board meetings to our community. For the months of July and August 2024, while the Board transfers platforms, we will be unable to share the documents or provide live coverage of the Board meetings. The public may attend the Open meetings of the Board and view the documents at the meetings. The agenda is available for view on the Talbot County Public Schools website. Minutes of the meetings will be provided to the public on the new platform. We apologize for any inconvenience to the public. We should be back to our normal course of doing business for our September meeting.
Link to July Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Link to July 17, 2024 Board of Education Meeting Video Recording
Link to August Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Link to August 14, 2024 Board of Education Meeting Video Recording
Please direct any questions you may have to Faith Brundige, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at faith.brundige@talbotschools.
Emily Jackson- President: District 4
Mrs. Jackson is a resident of Wye Mills. A mother of four, her school-aged children currently attend Talbot County Public Schools. She is an established professional family and newborn photographer with a studio on the Eastern Shore. Her aspiration and enthusiasm for civic responsibility and leadership began early in her life at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. She has worked on Capitol Hill, for the American Public Works Association, for the University of Maryland, and a variety of grassroots philanthropic organizations in fundraising and development.
Candace Henry- Vice President: District 2
Mrs. Henry is the Director of the Disability Resource Center at Salisbury University. She and her husband Garnell are Easton natives, and graduates of Easton High School. They reside in Easton with their two children, Gabrielle and Trey who attend Talbot County Public Schools. Mrs. Henry is actively involved in the local community, and recently served as Secretary of the Easton Elementary School PTO. In addition, she is a member of Association on HigherEducation and Disability (AHEAD), Salisbury University Women's Forum Board, and theMaryland Rehabilitation Association, where she previously served as President. Mrs. Henry is passionate about social justice, access, equity, and inclusion. She utilizes the social adapted and empowerment model of disability to promote self-advocacy, leadership, and inclusion for all students.
Dyshekia W. M. Strawberry MSN, BS, RN- District 1
Ms. Strawberry is a dedicated healthcare professional with over 15 years of experience in patient care, nursing leadership and nursing education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hampton University, a Master of Science in Nursing, Adult and Community Health from Wesley College, and a Post Masters Certificate in Nurse Leadership from Wilmington University. In addition to her work in nursing leadership Ms. Strawberry is an adjunct professor and mentor for nursing students at the University of Maryland Global Campus. She is an entrepreneur, successfully managing independent businesses as a delegating nurse and as a real estate investor. She is a member of the American and Maryland Nurses Associations, and has served on committees, performed research, and delivered presentations focused on a broad range of health care initiatives. A resident of Easton, she is the proud parent of two children who attend Talbot County Public Schools.
Amy Dodson- District 3
Mrs. Amy Dodson, originally from North Carolina, has lived in Maryland since 1998. Her husband, Scott Dodson, is a native of the Eastern Shore and a 24-year teaching veteran. They have resided in Easton since 2013 and have three sons who are enrolled in Talbot County Public Schools. Mrs. Dodson has a Bachelor of Science in Business from Chowan University, North Carolina. She works as a National Sales Director within the safety industry, with advanced knowledge of confined space air quality and associated contaminates. Mrs. Dodson’s youngest son has Down Syndrome, and she has been involved in Down Syndrome advocacy since his birth. She is passionate about success for all students.
Anna Howie- District 5
Mrs. Anna Howie is the Curriculum Supervisor of Career and Technical Education for Dorchester County Public Schools and Interim Principal at Mace’s Lane Middle School. She is a dedicated educator with 21 years of experience in K-12 education. She has served as a teacher, instructional mathematics coach, Assistant Human Resources Administrator, Local Accountability Coordinator, Curriculum Supervisor of Mathematics, and Principal. A native of Talbot County, Mrs. Howie resides in Easton with her husband, Kirk Howie. Their daughter, Jaylen, graduated from Easton High School and is currently an elementary school teacher. Their other two children, KJ and Teagan, attend Talbot County Public Schools. Her grandfather, Willis Scott, Sr., was an industrial arts teacher at Moton High School and Easton High School. Mrs. Howie is an active member of community organizations promoting education, student leadership, and community service. She received her Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Arts in Supervision and Administration from the University of Phoenix, and she is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Mary Wheeler- District 6
Mrs. Wheeler, is a customer service representative with Easton Utilities Commission, and resides in Easton with her husband Wayne. They have three children and five grandchildren. Her daughter teaches 5th grade for Caroline County Public Schools and her youngest grandchild will be attending Talbot County Public Schools in St. Michaels. She is a dedicated public servant and has been actively involved in the local community and in several organizations. Mrs. Wheeler served on the Board of Directors for the Waterfowl Festival, The Talbot County Chamber of Commerce and the Talbot Family Network. She was also a past member of the Chesapeake Women's Network, the Rotary Club of Easton and the VFW Auxiliary.
Deborah Bridges- District 7
Having grown up in an Air Force family, Mrs. Deborah Bridges moved to Talbot County with her family in the 1970s. A St. Michaels High School graduate, she is actively involved in the local community. She owned and operated Swan Cove Flowers for more than 38 years before recently selling the business. Mrs. Bridges has taught floral design at Chesapeake College and worked as a bookkeeper for several local businesses. She is the President of Holly LakeEnterprises, Inc., and the Garden Center Manager of Bridges Land Management, Inc. Mrs. Bridges is married to Edward M. Bridges, Jr., and they have two sons, Eric and Marc Bridges, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren.
Colin Smith- EHS Student Board Member
Colin is involved in numerous extra-curricular activities. He runs cross country and competes in track, and is a member of various clubs including It’s Academic, The ACE Mentor Program, and Math Club. He is also a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and the National Honor Society, and has held several leadership positions. In addition, he served as the Junior Class President, and is a volunteer for the Easton Elementary School Exceptional Unified Sports program. When asked about his appointment Colin said, “I am honored to have been chosen for this position and I look forward to working with the school board in order to share a unique student perspective.”
Nathan Henckel- SMMHS Student Board Member
Nathan is very involved in his school and community, holding leadership positions in the Student Government Association, Students Helping Other People, SMMHS Band, and Talbot County Summer STEM Camp. Nathan is also a member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, Debate Club and Destination Imagination. “I am very honored and excited to work with the TCPS Board of Education for the 2023-2024 school year,” Nathan said. “I have a deep pride for my school, and I am so happy that I get to share all of the wonderful events and student achievements that St. Michaels has to offer.”
