01.24.25
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Meet the Teacher: Andrew Callahan Joins TNCS’s Middle School Program!

The New Century School occupies an elite niche in education, providing instruction and learning opportunities for students ages 2 all the way up through 8th grade. To accomplish this mighty task, TNCS uses both programmatic and physical divisions to optimally serve the spectrum of needs all these students will have at their very different developmental levels. Importantly, the same amount of care and resources pour into each division.

Now in its 15th year, TNCS began as just a preschool. As the years went by and the student body got older, TNCS sequentially added grades—and physical spaces—to keep up with its students and to be able to continue flourishing, serving an expanded enrollment with its mission.

TNCS’s middle school (grades 6–8) is special for all these reasons, but it also stands out in other ways. It represents a double turning point: it’s the culmination of an 11-year educational journey for many TNCS students, and it’s also the safe place where TNCS students prepare to join a much larger world. As the middle school has matured, other opportunities inherently aligned with TNCS’s mission and identity have emerged—namely, scholarships. TNCS offers these scholarships to Baltimore students in underserved populations who have demonstrated academic excellence. The middle school years are critical in so many ways, and TNCS makes sure its middle school students are advantageously equipped.

Welcome, Andrew Callahan!

Its teachers are the key. Enter Andrew Callahan, who joined TNCS in the 2024–2025 school year as the middle school homeroom teacher. He also serves as both English and Global Studies teacher for grades 6–8, along with the additional role of Student Engagement Coordinator. “In that capacity, I run the social-emotional learning program, help out with the service-learning program, and try to provide additional supports to our students who need it the most,” he explains. He also helps out after school during after care.

Background

Born and raised in Taunton, Massachusetts (“about halfway between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island”), Mr. Callahan’s path to teaching—and to Baltimore—was anything but direct. His educational background includes studying film and psychology at Wesleyan University, with significant experience in leadership training through the Boy Scouts of America. On graduating in 2020, he initially found himself, like many others during that pandemic-dominated time, isolated from the world and not by choice.

His first post-college position was as a work-from-home paralegal, which meant clicking away on a computer all day with no real human interaction. He asked himself, “How can I get out of this and become a more social person again?” The answer: “There are very few more social places in the world than a school.”

So, in 2021, once vaccines became available, Callahan made a dramatic change. “I was getting tired of living so isolated and just kind of wanted the opposite,” he explains. He moved to New York City, where he taught at Brooklyn Ascend High School, a charter school in Brownsville, one of Brooklyn’s poorest neighborhoods. “I’ve always really been interested in how people learn and the way you communicate to get things to stick in the long-term memory,” he shares. “Film felt like an analog into English. A lot of the thinking work is the same, and so it really has gelled really nicely.”

While teaching the students at Ascend (he managed four classes of 30 students each) was often very rewarding, other aspects that can plague any school, like teacher apathy and burnout, had a dampening effect. Fortunately, this did not extend to his newfound passion for teaching in general.

Mr. Callahan at TNCS

When his girlfriend was accepted into a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at Loyola University Maryland, they moved to Baltimore in August 2024. After becoming interested in TNCS through an online job search, he was further drawn by its smaller size as well as its focus on service learning, which he was well versed in through the Boy Scouts. Also, he says:

The move from high school to middle school was appealing to me because when I was teaching freshman at Ascend, I was struck by how underprepared a lot of them were, and there were so many foundational things that I didn’t have the time to work on with them because we had to keep moving through the curriculum. It’s heartbreaking to have 9th grade students who literally can’t read—and it wasn’t because of intellectual disabilities, it was because no one had given them a shot. I realized I would love the chance to lay these foundations to set students up for success in high school.

Mr. Callahan initially spoke to Head of School Ann Marie Simonetti about coming to work at TNCS, and he said he immediately felt welcomed, a feeling that has persisted. “It really does feel like a place where I’ve gotten to meet so many different types of people,” he said. “My coworkers here are incredibly diverse, and I get to learn from all of them and build relationships with people who I otherwise might not meet.” Mr. Callahan also appreciates the intimate scale of his current position. He can spend one-on-one time with each of his students, a luxury he could not afford with his former larger caseload.

The significant educational challenges he witnessed early in his teacher career have made him particularly appreciative of TNCS’s approach: “Being here is a lot more uplifting. Everyone here cares so much, and no one’s going to get through 8th grade at TNCS not knowing how to read. I’m 100% confident in that.”

In his English classes, Mr. Callahan is currently teaching memoirs. “We’re reading ‘Born a Crime’ by Trevor Noah and another memoir called ‘How Dare the Sun Rise.’ It’s a great story about a woman who was raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo during wartime and then she and her family moved as refugees to the United States when she was middle school age. It’s really exciting for the middle schoolers to be able to read about this completely different middle school experience.”

In Global Studies, he’s connecting this work to ancient African history. “We started the school year at the very beginning of time. We talked about how life formed on the earth, the Cambrian explosion, then moved into the Jurassic period, and then got to humans just before winter break. Now we’re on civilizations.” Although teaching Global Studies is new to him, an uncle taught history (Mr. Callahan was actually also his student at one point), and Mr. Callahan reached out to him for insight. “[My uncle] has this great passion for what it means to be a human, what it means to be a society, and so I used that in class. We jumped way back in time to the hominids and Homo erectus then looked at how we got to today. It’s been really fun to go on this journey with the students,” he said.

Regarding his teaching philosophy, Callahan emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and of meaningful challenge:

I think that’s what education is when it comes down to it—it’s making connections and pathways. One of the things you’re teaching is media literacy and understanding the world, but you’re also teaching students how to think. Math is great and really important for understanding things that you do in your day-to-day life. People don’t think that novels and literature come up in your day-to-day life as much, but when you’re teaching people how to think critically, that’s the skill.

I want students to feel comfortable in my classroom, but I don’t want them to feel too comfortable. Growing does not happen without a little discomfort and a little frustration. Students appreciate being taken seriously, and that means holding them accountable a lot, and that’s what I hope to bring to my classroom and to everything I do here at the school.

Regarding TNCS’s multilingual curriculum, Mr. Callahan says he’s very glad to see it. Although he currently speaks only English (with a dabble of high school Latin), he studied abroad in Sweden, where he encountered jokes like:

What do you call someone who knows two languages? Bilingual.
What do you call someone who knows three languages? Trilingual.
What do you call someone who knows one language? American.

Unless they attend TNCS, that is!

Mr. Callahan is also enjoying his new city and exploring its quirky character with his girlfriend. Coming from New York City, they are surprised by all the fun, free community events happening all over. He also maintains a range of hobbies. “I love to go on hikes, which is something that I’ve been able to do a lot more in Maryland than in New York City.” He also enjoys video games, Dungeons & Dragons, basketball, and comics—a connection that runs deep: “My dad raised me on superhero comics. That’s how I learned how to read, with the first issues of The Amazing Spider-Man from the 1960s.”

These personal interests often help him connect with his students. “My video game hobby is something I’m able to relate to students with. We’re able to talk about what games we’re playing, and it really is nice to be able to talk to each other in this way.”

Mr. Callahan has obviously settled in beautifully at TNCS, and TNCS is grateful to have him on board. He looks forward to what spring at TNCS holds in store . . . and more fun around Baltimore!

Pictured is Mr. Callahan giving an English lesson. (Just kidding—he officiated his brother’s wedding last summer!)

01.10.25
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Art and Education: Brenda Lane Blends Her Dual Passions at TNCS!

At The New Century School, students in the primary program are fortunate to work with an educator who brings a unique creative perspective to the classroom. Brenda Lane, a visual development artist, seamlessly balances her role as a teaching assistant with an emerging career in animation. If that surname is ringing a bell, it should—Miss Brenda is the daughter of none other than TNCS Preschool Coordinator Terriann Lane!

Miss Brenda Gets Animated!

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Miss Brenda (and family) moved to Columbia, MD when she was in high school. But it wasn’t until college that her passion for the arts began to bloom. She majored in fine arts at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she discovered her true calling in her final year. “I knew I didn’t want to be a gallery artist. Then, in my last year, I suddenly realized I want to work on movies and TV shows. That was my ‘it-all-came-together’ moment,” she reflects.

Unfortunately, the pandemic curtailed networking opportunities, so she sought other fulfilling post-graduation employment in the interim:

I really wanted something while I was waiting for that big job opportunity that would be helpful to the community. I didn’t want to work in customer service anymore, which I did all through college. I definitely wanted to do something that was more impactful, so I started at my mom’s last school as an aftercare teacher, and they soon pulled me in to be a floating assistant.

The interim turned out to be more than a temporary stopgap, as we’ll see. But, back to the early 2020s, Miss Brenda saw an opportunity and seized it. She traveled to Los Angeles to attend an animation industry conference, sensing that the animation industry on the East Coast was not very robust. This decision proved pivotal, leading to her current role as Creative Production Director at Black-n-Animated, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Black artists and animators enter and thrive in the industry. “Everything kind of fit into place,” she says of the serendipitous connection.

Two years on, her artistic career continues to flourish. She’s currently working on “Assassinista,” a 3D animated short film through a Pixar co-op slated for release on Disney+ in 2027. “It’s comparable to the ‘Spider-Verse’ kind of animation style,” she explains. “It’s only 7 minutes, but we’re going to get it there.” In this project, she serves as both assistant producer and color key artist (as part of her visual development expertise), marking her first official credit in the animation industry.

“I’m really into concept art, such as what Pixar and other studios do, which shows the process of how you get to a design,” explains Miss Brenda. “Concept art and visual development are really one and the same. So, basically, if someone needs a shelf or a window in a scene, for example, I can design that.”

Bringing Art to the Classroom

Miss Brenda’s exciting work in The Arts has not dampened her enthusiasm for educating. At TNCS, she is Ms. Pozo’s assistant in one of the primary Montessori classrooms for children ages 3 to 6. In addition to her main responsibilities of “supporting teachers, supporting students, and maintaining an optimal classroom environment where students can grow their learning,” she collaborates with Montessori teachers to create educational materials, putting her digital art skills to practical use. “If you need something with Photoshop or Illustrator, I’m able to make it,” she says. “I helped make illustrated step-by-step instructional materials to help children learn how to read, for example.”

Her complementary roles have even deepened her appreciation for children’s content. “being in the classroom has exposed me to so many things that I now enjoy,” she reflects. “I really do love doing it, and it also pushes me more toward children’s content and animation . . . and maybe I’ll consider pursuing children’s books.”

Looking to the Future

Despite the animation industry’s current uncertainties following recent strikes, Miss Brenda maintains a balanced perspective. She appreciates the stability her teaching role provides while pursuing her animation career through remote work. Her days are long—she spends all day in the classroom then goes home to join remote meetings in L.A. and work on her art—“but this is where I enjoy being,” she says of her position at TNCS.

Miss Brenda’s passion for both education and art is evident in her interactions with students. “I’m passionate about what I do, and it brings me joy to be around the students. I hope that I can bring them some joy as well,” she shares. She particularly enjoys encouraging young artists, loving it when her budding student artists ask her for drawing and painting advice.

Making an Impact

Beyond her roles at TNCS and in animation, Miss Brenda continues her work with Black-n-Animated, which recently achieved nonprofit status. “We just had our first career summit in L.A. with really big industry names coming to talk to all of our people trying to break in,” she said. “I’m really excited about the new year!”

Whether she’s supporting young learners in the classroom or pushing creative boundaries in animation, Miss Brenda exemplifies how diverse passions can enrich both personal fulfillment and professional impact. Her presence in the primary Montessori program reflects TNCS’s commitment to nurturing creativity and bringing real-world artistic expertise into the classroom, enriching students’ early educational experiences.

12.13.24
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TNCS Winter Concert 2024 “Sleighs”!

As part of its commitment to The Arts, The New Century School takes student performances to the next level! On Thursday, December 12, TNCS elementary and middle school students performed choral selections in three languages, all under the brilliant tutelage of TNCS Musical Director Martellies Warren with assistance from language teachers Joan Cui and Rafael Gonzalez.

This year’s winter concert warmed hearts even as temperatures dropped outdoors. Some special touches this year include a QR code printed on the concert program that provides translated song lyrics as well as TNCS’s first-ever Holiday Pop-Up Shop! Oh, and a very special rap session at the end—another TNCS first! Maybe there was extra magic in the timing of this performance (12/12/24)?

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Without further ado, here is everyone’s favorite blog post of the year!

TNCS K–2 Students Sing in Mandarin and Spanish!

TNCS 3–8 Students Sing in Mandarin and Spanish!

TNCS K–8 Students Sing Their Hearts Out!

To put the finishing touches on this wonderful concert and, in some ways, this wonderful year, enjoy these select photos from the show.

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Wait—we’re not done yet! Some very special thank-yous go to the Benjamin Brown Band for their beautiful accompaniments and to TNCS Head of School Ann Marie Simonetti who somehow makes all the amazingness happen (and even manages to make it look easy)!

12.06.24
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TNCS’s Preschool Division Flourishes Under Terriann Lane’s Leadership!

The New Century School‘s preschool division exemplifies the profound impact of authentic Montessori education under the guidance of Preschool Coordinator Terriann Lane. Now in her second year, Ms. Lane has orchestrated significant enhancements to both the physical environment and educational approach, creating spaces where young minds can truly thrive.

One of Ms. Lane’s primary achievements has been establishing consistency across classrooms while maintaining each teacher’s unique perspective. “When I joined the TNCS community, each preschool classroom was in their own bubble,” she reflects. “Now they’re visiting each other’s classrooms to observe how systems work. They’re collaborating and asking each other questions. There’s now a sense of community while striving to understand and implement the curriculum.”

“The environment must be rich in motives which lend interest to activity and invite the child to conduct his own experiences.” Dr. Maria Montessori

This cohesion extends to the physical environment, where Ms. Lane has implemented substantial improvements. She explains:

One of the requests was to make sure that each classroom had furniture that matched. When you go into either classroom, they have the same types of shelves, same types of chairs, same types of tables, and that creates order, which is important in Montessori. Dr. Maria Montessori wrote that ‘…everything about a child should not only be in order, but that it should be proportioned to the child’s use, and that interest and concentration arise specifically from the elimination of what is confusing and superfluous.’

The preschool division currently encompasses three primary (ages 3–5 years) and three preprimary (starting at age 2) classrooms, each thoughtfully—and beautifully—equipped with materials that support the Montessori curriculum. Ms. Lane has ensured that “all of the curriculum areas are covered in every classroom,” with special attention paid to Practical Life activities—a cornerstone of Montessori early childhood education. “Practical Life work prepares the children to excel in other areas of curriculum, including Sensorial, Math, and Language by growing their sense of coordination, concentration, order, and independence,” she said.

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Innovation meets tradition in these spaces. A particularly creative solution was found for the second-floor classrooms that lacked working sinks. Ms. Lane introduced “Mighty Sinks,” a portable solution that enables essential Practical Life activities. “It has a working faucet, and you just fill it with water, dump the water, clean it, fill with water, and repeat,” she explains. “The children are now able to do their dishwashing and hand washing, cleaning up after art projects… they can use it for any work requiring water right in the classroom.”

The classrooms buzz with purposeful activity, particularly during mealtimes. Students actively participate in preparing for lunch, setting their own places, and engaging in what Ms. Lane calls “social learning.” Food preparation has become an integral part of the curriculum, with children learning practical skills like peeling oranges or cutting bananas—activities that build independence and fine motor skills.

For how to support your Montessori student at home, see the PowerPoint presentations from the TNCS Preprimary and Primary Workshop events held earlier this month:

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Most importantly, Ms. Lane notes signs of true Montessori “normalization,” in which children naturally follow classroom procedures and engage in work independently. The focus on community building is evident as students demonstrate care for their environment and each other. “If you walk into a classroom and see something on the floor, you pick it up. Or, someone falls down and bumps their knee on the table and you go over and ask how they’re doing and can I help you. Those moments reflect true community.”

Looking ahead, Ms. Lane envisions expanding the so-called “Cosmic curriculum”—Montessori’s integrated approach to cultural and political geography, life sciences, botany, and zoology. She emphasizes the importance of scientific observation in tracking student progress: “The Lead Teachers scientifically observe what the children are doing and then plan lessons for them to move forward through the curriculum.”

The teaching staff’s dedication to Montessori principles has been particularly noteworthy. “I’m proud of them for hearing me, trying it all, and now asking questions to strengthen their practice,” Ms. Lane shares. “In the beginning, they were just asking questions, and now they’re implementing what they’ve learned and are learning.”

Through careful attention to both the physical environment and pedagogical approach, TNCS’s preschool division continues to provide an authentic Montessori experience where children develop independence, community awareness, and a love for learning. Under Ms. Lane’s guidance, the school maintains its commitment to Dr. Montessori’s vision while adapting to meet the needs of today’s young learners.

11.22.24
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Your Holiday Events Calendar, TNCS Community!

And just like that, the holidays are around the corner! While plenty of festive events are happening at The New Century School in the coming weeks, we also gathered this list of fun things the whole family can enjoy together!

November 2024

1. Baltimore’s Annual Christmas Village

  • Dates: November 23, 2024 – December 24, 2024
  • Location: West Shore Park, Inner Harbor
  • Description: A traditional German Christmas market featuring local artisans, festive food, and holiday decorations. Kids can enjoy activities like ornament making and visits from Santa.
  • Link: Christmas Village in Baltimore

2. Zoo Lights at the Maryland Zoo

  • Dates: November 24, 2024 – January 1, 2025
  • Location: The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
  • Description: Enjoy a magical holiday light display at the zoo with over 100 animated light displays, hot chocolate, and visits from Santa.
  • Link: Zoo Lights

3. Light City Festival (Holiday Edition)

  • Dates: November 29, 2024 – December 31, 2024
  • Location: Inner Harbor
  • Description: A special holiday edition of the Light City Festival, featuring illuminated art installations and interactive light exhibits perfect for families.
  • Link: Light City Baltimore

4. The Nutcracker Ballet at the Baltimore School for the Arts

  • Dates: November 29, 2024 – December 1, 2024
  • Location: Baltimore School for the Arts
  • Description: A family-friendly performance of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, featuring local young dancers.
  • Link: Baltimore School for the Arts

December 2024

1. Merriweather Post Pavilion Holiday Market

  • Dates: December 7, 2024
  • Location: Merriweather Post Pavilion
  • Description: A holiday market with local artisans, music, and family-friendly activities like face painting and crafts.
  • Link: Merriweather Holiday Market

2. Festival of Trees

  • Dates: December 6, 2024 – December 8, 2024
  • Location: Maryland State Fairgrounds
  • Description: An annual event with beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses, along with holiday entertainment, games, and crafts for kids.
  • Link: Festival of Trees

3. Holidays at the Harbor

  • Dates: December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
  • Location: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor
  • Description: The Inner Harbor is transformed into a holiday wonderland, with live entertainment, seasonal treats, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
  • Link: Holidays at the Harbor

4. Holiday Lights at the Aquarium

  • Dates: December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
  • Location: National Aquarium, Inner Harbor
  • Description: Enjoy the National Aquarium’s annual Holiday Lights event with festive décor and special exhibits, along with light displays throughout the venue.
  • Link: Holiday Lights at the Aquarium

5. A Christmas Carol at the Everyman Theatre

  • Dates: December 5, 2024 – December 29, 2024
  • Location: Everyman Theatre
  • Description: A beloved holiday tradition, this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale brings the story of Ebenezer Scrooge to life with live theater, perfect for families.
  • Link: Everyman Theatre

6. The Polar Express Train Ride

  • Dates: December 6, 2024 – December 22, 2024
  • Location: B&O Railroad Museum
  • Description: A magical train ride based on the classic children’s story “The Polar Express,” featuring storytelling, hot chocolate, and visits from Santa.
  • Link: Polar Express at B&O Museum

January 2025

1. Winter Break at the Maryland Science Center

  • Dates: January 1, 2025 – January 5, 2025
  • Location: Maryland Science Center, Inner Harbor
  • Description: Special winter-themed exhibits and hands-on activities for kids during winter break.
  • Link: Maryland Science Center

2. The 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Celebration

  • Dates: January 20, 2025
  • Location: Baltimore City
  • Description: A family-friendly parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with performances, community activities, and educational programs for children.
  • Link: MLK Jr. Parade & Celebration

These events provide a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, from cultural performances to holiday markets and light displays, offering something for families of all ages. Make sure to check the individual event websites for updates closer to the dates as schedules and availability may change!