Springhill Lake Elementary (SHL) has retained Special Education Coordinator Chris Wichtendahl. The News Review reported in June 2022 on the challenge the school faced to retain Wichtendahl (Springhill Lake School at Risk of Losing a Key Staff Member, June 16 issue), as did the Washington Post (washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/06/29/maryland-teachers-fight-for-educator).
At the time, the Prince George’s County Public School system was abolishing the special education coordinator position amid broader special education changes. SHL leadership hoped to reassign Wichtendahl as a second assistant principal, which was proving difficult. Teacher Philip McQuarrie wrote, “Her leaving at an unplanned time would do a drastic disservice to everyone in the building, most of all, the students… [She] may be needed even more … to help assure that special education students receive all of the services they need ….” He wrote that, as acting assistant principal, Wichtendahl manages teachers, behavior and logistics “from a wide-angle lens. She knows the students well, and talks and deals with them individually and with care … She ensures all populations are included in every discussion concerning our school, which truly conveys the excellence in equity part of our mission,” he said.
As of production time, SHL staff had not answered multiple requests regarding the mechanics of Wichtendahl’s retention. Details aside, McQuarrie and other SHL staff report satisfaction that Wichtendahl will continue serving the SHL community.