About Us

Connie Stahler

Connie Stahler Principal connie_stahler@hcpss.org
I am honored to be the principal of LWES. I am excited to start my sixth year serving the LWES community. Each year, I look forward to knowing and building relationships with our new families and deepen relationships with our current families. 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, and fourth grade level teacher, and a special education teacher at Ilchester and Clemens Crossing Elementary Schools. My husband and I have two children, Caelin and Sean. Caelin is in high school in Howard County and Sean is attending a Maryland state college. When I am not at school, I enjoy listening to music, reading and spending time with my family.

Khalilah Braxton

Khalilah Braxton Assistant Principal khalilah_braxton@hcpss.org
Greetings! My name is Khalilah (Kah-LEE-lah) Braxton. I am excited to begin my second year serving the Laurel Woods Elementary School community as your Assistant Principal! The 2023-2024 school year marks my 25th year as an educator in the Howard County Public School System. My journey began at Hammond Elementary, as a classroom teacher for 17 years, where I taught first and second grades, as well as kindergarten. I was also the kindergarten Instructional Team Leader. I joined Talbott Springs Elementary in 2016 to begin a new chapter as Title I Interventionist, balancing multiple roles including first grade Instructional Team Leader, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Liaison, and Evening School Point of Contact. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Radford University in VA and a Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision from Loyola University in Maryland. I grew up in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of Covington, Virginia. For the last 25 years, I’ve called Laurel, Maryland my home! I look forward to another amazing year of collaborating and supporting the Laurel Woods students, staff, and community!

Siobhan Drumgoole

Siobhan Drumgoole Leadership Intern Siobhan_Drumgoole@hcpss.org
My name is Siobhan (Sha-von) Drumgoole. I am very excited to begin my administrative career at Laurel Woods as a Leadership Intern and look forward to partnering with the wonderful students and staff in our community. My career in education began 26 years ago when I moved from New York to begin teaching 2nd grade in Baltimore City. I have also served as a classroom teacher (Grades K-2) in Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County Public Schools Systems, as well as a Reading Specialist in Anne Arundel County. Eight years ago, I joined HCPSS as the Reading Support Teacher for Bushy Park, Dayton Oaks, and Lisbon Elementary Schools. In 2019 I moved on to become a Reading Specialist at Thunder Hill Elementary School for three years before assuming the role of Literacy Coach for Bollman Bridge, Elkridge, and Veterans Elementary Schools this past year. My husband and I have two children, Connor and Grace, as well as two fur babies Zoey and Piper. When I am not working, I love to travel, go to concerts, and read books from all genres.

School Overview

LWES – Looking Within Every Student encompasses the essence of our vision statement.  Laurel Woods is a community school who builds relationships to create a successful learning environment where students will excel.  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.  
 
Our students benefit from the many programs and resources available within our school. Literacy and math coaches offer continuous assistance to students and staff. The teaching staff provides daily instruction that is specific to individual student needs.  Our Student Support Team work with families to acccess resources and supports to ensure the well-being of our students and families. 
 
Laurel Woods continues to implement restorative justice practices to support our students, families and staff.  We believe that all people in our LWES community are worthy and relational. We have committed to our Success Factors to ensure we are providing opportunities for everyone to be successful.  Our Success Factors include Honesty, Kindness, Empathy, Creativity and Accountability.  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.