About Us

Connie Stahler- Principal of Laurel Woods 

I am honored to be the principal of LWES.  Each year, I look forward to knowing and building relationships with our new families and deepen my relationships with our current families. I look forward to my continued service to the LWES community.

Prior to coming to LWES, I served as an assistant principal at three elementary schools including Guilford, Waverly and Forest Ridge.  In addition, I have been in the role of a first, second, fourth and special education teacher at Ilchester and Clemens Crossing Elementary Schools.  

My husband and I have two children, Caelin and Sean, both who also attend school in the Howard County Public School System.  When I am not at school, I enjoy listening to music, reading and spending time with my family.

Shateya Folks- Assistant Principal of Laurel Woods 

I am very excited to be a part of the Laurel Woods community! I began my career at Phelps Luck Elementary School in 2004 as a 4th grade Paraeducator. In December 2007, I became a 4th grade teacher at Veterans Elementary School. During my time at Veterans Elementary School, I have been a fourth grade teacher, ESOL teacher, and fifth grade Instructional Team leader.

I am originally from Upstate New York and have lived in Maryland with my husband for 16 years. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my 9 year old son, Matthias and 4-year-old son, Tristan.  In my spare time, I love shopping, listening to music, reading, dancing, spending time with my family, traveling and recently started our family hobby of bike riding!!

LWES – Looking Within Every Student encompasses the essence of our vision statement. Laurel Woods is a community of active learners where staff, families, students and educational partners take responsibility to ensure excellence and success for each student. It is our mission to develop productive and responsible citizens in a positive and challenging environment that accelerates achievement, and encourages enthusiasm for lifelong learning. We focus on the whole child, taking into consideration the personal, cognitive and social dimensions of each child.

Our students benefit from the many programs and resources available within our school. Reading and math support teachers offer continuous assistance to students and staff. Our comprehensive technology program provides students with essential computer skills. The teaching staff provides daily instruction that is specific to individual student needs.

Laurel Woods has been recognized by the State of Maryland for our outstanding PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program. PBIS is a school-wide program designed to teach and recognize excellence in student learning and citizenship. We remain committed as a school community to provide our children with the opportunity to excel with academics while learning essential social skills that will lead to success in the years ahead.

Our PTO, community, volunteers and business partners come together to provide a positive, exciting and joy-filled school community. We recognize our responsibility to develop students who are competent with essential skills, able to use information to solve real-world problems and capable of working together in a rapidly changing and diverse world.

PDS Partnership

What is a PDS?

A Professional Development School (PDS) is a collaboratively planned and implemented partnership for the academic and clinical preparation of interns and the continuous professional development of both school system and institution of higher education (IHE) faculty.  The focus of the PDS partnership is improved student performance through research-based teaching and learning.  A PDS may involve a single or multiple schools, school systems and IHEs and may take many forms to reflect specific partnership activities and approaches to improving both teacher education and PreK-12 schools.