Administration
Dr. Ann Wagner
Head of School
Dr. Ann Wagner oversees school administration, represents the school to internal and external constituents, works with the board and staff on policies, and ensures effective development and monitoring of resources.
Dr. Ann Wagner earned her Bachelor’s degree in Design from the Harrington College of Design before pursuing advanced studies in education. She went on to complete a Master’s in Educational Leadership at Queens University of Charlotte and later a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of New England. Her dissertation research has been shared internationally, with presentations on multiple continents. In addition, she holds principal certifications in North Carolina, Arizona, and Maryland.
Jessie Leatherman
Dean of Academics
Dean Leatherman is responsible for guiding instructional practices, supporting curriculum development, and monitoring student growth.
She holds dual Master’s degrees from UMBC in General Education and Special Education, and later earned a Master of Education with a Teaching Certificate from Mount Saint Mary’s University.
With more than 20 years of experience in education, Dean Leatherman has served as a special educator, classroom teacher, early childhood instructor, crisis intervention specialist, and teacher mentor. Her breadth of expertise reflects a deep commitment to supporting students, educators, and families.
Ashleigh Wilder
Dean of Students
Dean Wilder is dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive, and positive school culture while supporting students socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.
In her role, she helps guide school-wide social-emotional learning initiatives, implement positive behavior strategies, and provide students with individualized support through challenges as they arise.
Dean Wilder earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of South Carolina. Like Dean Leatherman, Mrs. Wilder is also a proud Banner parent, with three children enrolled in both the primary and middle school programs.
Lela McWilliams
Director of Operations
Mrs. McWilliams manages the school’s property and mechanical systems while also serving as the lead organizer for community events and the summer program.
Mrs. McWilliams earned two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Central Missouri. One in Mass Communications/ Media Studies and another in Piano Pedagogy.
She has been a member of The Banner School community for thirteen years, Mrs. McWilliams is also a proud Banner parent, with two children who have previously attended The Banner School.
Taylor Serio
Director of Admissions & Student Services
Ms. Serio oversees the admissions process, welcoming new families as the primary point of contact, leading campus tours, and assessing prospective students.
She also collaborates with administration to develop individualized learning plans and management of student enrichment programs. Ms. Serio is also in charge of PRK licensing.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education from Loyola University of Maryland.
Analise Stowers
Director of Marketing & Development
Mrs. Stowers leads The Banner School's marketing and development efforts, managing the creation of print and digital collateral, directing outreach initiatives, and strengthening community engagement. She plays a key role in advancing fundraising activities, including the Annual Giving Campaign, Gala, and other special events.
She holds a Bachelor's of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Shepherd University.
Mrs. Abby
Office Manager
Mrs. Abby graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, earning a Bachelor's of Science in Secondary Science Education along with a certification in Special Education.
A Philadelphia native, she began her career teaching while also working with a local science museum, where she developed STEM curriculum and led after-school science and math programs for public school districts.
Faculty Members
Kim Mauriello
Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Mauriello holds an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Quincy College and is also a Certified Medication Technician. She is currently expanding her skills by taking sign language classes.
With twenty years of teaching experience, Ms. Mauriello is now in her fifth year at The Banner School. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, she enjoys spending time outdoors, whether kayaking, paddle boarding, or exploring trails.
Sharon Rosen
Pre-K Teacher Assistant
Ms. Rosen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business and Food Management from Western Michigan University and also holds a 90-hour Child Care Certification.
She has been a valued member of The Banner School community for eleven years. Originally from New Market, Maryland, Ms. Rosen enjoys yoga, playing board games, and taste testing recipes.
Wendy Campbell
Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Campbell earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an International Concentration from UNC Wilmington and later completed a Master's of Arts in Teaching at Georgia Southern University.
A Frederick County native, Ms. Campbell spent 26 years living in the Southeast before returning home. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys all things outdoors and has a passion for interior design. This is her first year at The Banner School, and we are thrilled to welcome her here!
Hailey Hampton
First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Hampton is a graduate of the University of Baltimore and holds a Maryland Early Childhood certification.
She brings a unique blend of professional experience and educational passion to our team.
Prior to entering the classroom, Mrs. Hampton worked as a litigation paralegal at a law firm and has more recently served as a long-term substitute for Frederick County Public Schools. A fun fact about Mrs. Hampton is that she worked at Walt Disney World!
Katie Brockett
Second Grade Teacher
Mrs. Brockett received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Family Studies from Towson University and her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from John's Hopkins University.
Mrs. Brockett has sixteen years of teaching experience in both Special Education and General Education. This is her fifth year at The Banner School! Mrs. Brockett's passion for teaching has led her to develop a teaching style that is inclusive, engaging, and tailored to meet the individual needs of each of her students.
In her free time, Mrs. Brockett enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and exploring the great outdoors.
Martina Bannasch
Primary Head, Third Grade Teacher
Ms. Bannasch studied Education for grades K-10 (in additional classes specialized in elementary education), Biology, and Geography at the University of Hamburg, Germany and earned both 1st and 2nd state exam (German requirements for a teaching degree equivalent to a Master’s degree in the US).
She also holds a certificate from the North American Montessori Elementary Training Program. This is a post-secondary diploma for Montessori Education with the age group of children six to nine years of age.
In her 25+ years of teaching experience, Ms. Bannasch has worked with students from grades Pre-K to 8th. During her time at the Banner School, she has taught first grade, was the middle school remote teacher during the pandemic, and has been the third grade teacher since 2012. While most of her time as an educator has been spent in the classroom, she also has been on administrative teams at the Frederick Montessori School and here at The Banner School.
She has lived in the USA since 2000 and has taught in Frederick County at The Frederick Montessori School, Friends Meeting School, and this is her 19th year at The Banner School. Both of her children attended Banner from Pre-K/Kindergarten through 8th grade and are now very successful at Walkersville High and in college.
Heather Christensen
Fourth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Christensen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Morgan University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, where she also obtained her certification in Equity and Excellence in Education.
She brings over 30 years of experience in elementary education, having taught 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades across Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, and Frederick County. Mrs. Christensen also enjoys reading, gardening, hiking, and spending time in nature.
Kim Jernigan
Middle School Language Arts & Math Teacher
Mrs. Jernigan earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from James Madison University and is certified with the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW).
Mrs. Jernigan has been teaching for seventeen years, including the past four at The Banner School. A native of Jefferson, Maryland, she attended Brunswick High School before spending twelve years in Virginia and North Carolina. She returned to Maryland in 1993, where she continues to share her love of learning with students.
This fall, she will celebrate the release of her first book, Where is My Coat.
Sarah Vail
Middle School Science & Eighth Grade Math Teacher
Ms. Vail attended University of Delaware and received her Bachelor's in Philosophy. She later attended Southern New Hampshire University and earned her Master's in Instructional Design and Technology, Certified Secondary Science Teacher.
Ms. Vail is from Portland, Oregon!
Britany Atwater
Music & Fifth Grade History Teacher
Mrs. Atwater is a graduate of Frostburg State University with a degree in Vocal Performance and choral conducting. She has continued education studies at the Master's level from Towson University in Music Education.
She has been teaching in various capacities for 10 plus years but is in her fifth year of teaching at The Banner School. She is originally from New Port Beach, California but spent the majority of her years here in Frederick County where she currently resides with her husband and three children.
A fun fact about Mrs. Atwater is she was a competitive swimmer and still loves to swim as much as she possibly can, "everything is better when you're in a body of water."
Elizabeth Davis
Art Teacher
Ms. Davis received her Bachelor's degree from Columbia College in General Studies (courses focused on Developmental Psychology). She is also CMT certified.
Ms. Davis started teaching at The Banner School and has been here for four years. She is from Frederick, Maryland and is a mixed media artist. Ms. Davis loves to visit local parks and observe/draw local wildlife.
Jeffrey Townsend
Physical Education Teacher
Mr. Townsend earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Mars Hill University in Asheville, North Carolina, and later completed a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
Born in Maryland, he grew up there until his parents moved to Georgia in the 1990s. After completing college, he relocated to Georgia before eventually returning to Maryland, where he began his teaching career. Over the years, he has gone back and forth between Maryland and Georgia, gaining a wealth of experience in both places.
His father was a physical education teacher in Baltimore City and Towson, and he recalls running around Towson as a child. Throughout his life, he has lived in several Maryland communities, including Silver Spring, Berlin, Savage, and Columbia, and graduated from Hammond High School in Howard County. With 28 years of teaching experience, he is now in his third year at The Banner School.
Megan Earle
Reading Specialist & Librarian
Ms. Earle been teaching for over 20 years in both public and private schools across Virginia and Maryland, and this is her third year as part of the Banner community.
Ms. Earle holds a Master’s Degree in Reading Instruction from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Most recently, she completed Orton-Gillingham training, equipping her to support children with dyslexia and other reading challenges.
Reading has always been Ms. Earle’s greatest passion. She especially enjoys fantasy, suspense thrillers, and historical fiction, though I’ll happily read just about anything. Outside the classroom, Ms. Earle loves spending time outdoors, particularly kayaking and walking along the C&O Canal path.
Ready to Learn More About the Banner Experience?
Our innovative and inclusive coeducational learning community nurtures each individual student, developing their unique skills and talents to achieve personal excellence and truly let their light shine.