Staff
Administration
Bryan Shumaker
Principal
Bryan Shumaker is originally from Western Maryland. He taught in Carroll County public schools for 14 years. Bryan was also the STEM Coordinator for CCPS for 16 years and is excited to return as Principal of the Outdoor School. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, golfing, cooking and being outdoors.
Favorite Quote: Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it." -Marian Wright Edelman
Faculty
Carly Ferguson
Carly Ferguson is originally from Maine, but now calls Gettysburg, PA her home. She is a graduate of West Virginia University. This is Ms. Ferguson's eighteenth year at Outdoor School. She enjoys traveling, horseback riding, backpacking, hanging out with her family & pup, Dr. Seuss, and just about anything to get outside!
Favorite Quote: "Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money." -Native American Proverb
Misti Kelly is a Carroll County native who still remembers attending Outdoor School when she was in 6th grade & as a high school counselor. She is a Westminster High, Millersville University, and Towson University graduate. This is her 5th year at Outdoor School, she previously taught 6th & 7th grade science for 15 years with CCPS. She loves the outdoors, especially hiking, kayaking, and traveling the world. Mrs. Kelly is enjoying her empty nest life & spending time with her husband & their 2 dogs.
Favorite Quote: "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." -Frank Lloyd Wright
Misti Kelly
Paul Reter
Paul Reter is a Carroll County native, growing up only a few miles from the Outdoor School campus. He attended Wesley College in Delaware and McDaniel College for graduate studies. This is his second year at Outdoor School, he previously taught Physical Education at West Middle school for 24 years.
He loves the outdoors, especially fishing where he travels with his wife to compete in bass tournaments and hikes into remote areas to fly fish.
Favorite Quote: "The best fisherman I know try not to make the same mistakes over and over again; instead, they strive to make new and interesting mistakes and remember what they learned from them." -John Geirach
Tom Vail is originally from Woodlawn in Baltimore County and moved to Carroll County at age 11, where he still resides. Mr. Vail graduated from Liberty High School and Western Maryland College. He has worked at the Outdoor School for 28 years. Mr. Vail has taught marching band at Liberty High School for the past 33 years. He enjoys music and plays guitar in two local bands.
Favorite Quote: “Music is the universal language.”
Tom Vail
School Nurses
Chrissey Stull grew up in Carroll County and attended Outdoor School when she was in the 6th grade at West Middle. She's been a nurse for 18 years, primarily working with adolescents. She enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 sons, 2 rescue dogs and chinchilla, traveling and being outside soaking up the sun. She is excited to begin her first year at Outdoor School and even more excited that her youngest son will attend in the winter!
Favorite Quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi
Chrissey Stull
Dawn Van Der Stuyf
Dawn Van Der Stuyf is a Maryland Native and has lived in Carroll County for 27 years. She has been a RN for 34 years and is excited for her twelfth year at Outdoor School. She enjoys traveling, gardening and spending time with her husband, 2 children, 3 grandchildren and Yellow Lab, "Ava".
Favorite Quote: "Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle."
BJ Phelps is originally from Maine, but has resided in Carroll County, Maryland for the last 24 years with her husband. They have a son and daughter that both enjoyed the extension of their parent's love of nature at Outdoor School. She graduated from the University of Maryland and Stevenson University. She also enjoys psychiatric and geriatric nursing, and teaching RN students. She has many pets and frequently fosters for the Carroll County Humane Society. She is happiest when nature surrounds her and loves to work on projects in her spare time to support the environment when she's not exploring the outdoors.
Favorite Quote: "The grass isn't greener on the other side. It's greener where YOU water it."
BJ Phelps
Support Staff
Lori Schlosser
Lori Schlosser is originally from Cape May, New Jersey. She is a graduate of Towson State University. This is her fifth year at Outdoor School as an Instructional Assistant but Ms. Schlosser was an Outdoor School Teacher for 9 years previously. She lives in Blue Ridge Summit with her husband and has two children. She enjoys kayaking, hiking and camping.
Favorite Quote: "The earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth." Chief Seattle
Hunter Berkau is a Carroll County native. He is currently attending college and is in his second year at Outdoor School. He loves to run, travel, and fish!
Favorite Quote: “Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.” -Ken Poirot
Hunter Berkau
Mary Hoy
Mary Hoy is from Carroll County. She is a graduate of Salisbury University. Mrs. Hoy is in charge of live materials for Carroll County Public Schools. She enjoys teaching kids about the environment, planting gardens with kids, vacationing on the river, and learning.
Favorite Quote: "In the end we conserve what we love, we love what we understand-we understand what we are taught."