Our Team

Glenwood Country Day School was founded by teaching professional, Cheryl Stradling, in 1986 in Ellicott City, MD. She believes that some of the most important learning experiences occur outside of the classroom. So, in 1999 she moved her private school for children ages two to thirteen to Glenwood, MD to be on forty beautiful wooded acres. She created a learning environment where children feel happy and safe. She believes that students are happier and learn more when they’re working at their full intellectual capacity. That is why Glenwood Country Day School places children into smaller learning groups based by their ability and not by age. Please come and visit our campus to make a difference in your child’s education!

Michael Stradling, or Mr. Mike as the kids like to call him, started his teaching career in 1974 after getting a full ride to Temple University for Track & Field. He ran with the best and as a result his picture has been hanging up in their main gym ever since. Mr. Mike came to Maryland to teach because his wife was already teaching in the Howard County Public School System. He landed his ideal job teaching physical education at Centennial Lane Elementary School in Ellicott City, Md. He stayed there for 35 years. After retiring from this position, he realized that retirement was not for him. So, ever since he has been teaching physical education full time at Glenwood Country Day School. He loves the younger children! He says daily,“They always have a smile on their face and want to give you a big hug. The ages 2 to 6 are the best!!”

Ever since I was little, I always knew in my heart what I wanted to do – be a teacher of young children. In high school, I tutored elementary-aged children. Growing up in New York, from the time I started working, every summer, I was employed at day camps. As an undergraduate, I studied at Towson University, in which I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. After graduation, I became a resident of Maryland and began my teaching career working in preschools / nursery schools. While working, I continue to further my education in Early Childhood by attending various workshops and conferences which helps me to help my students be very successful in school. It also helps me become the best possible teacher. I am very happy to be a part of Glenwood Country Day School. I enjoy teaching children new things and expanding on what they already know. My love for teaching will never change!

Upon graduating from Frostburg State University in 1997, I began my career as a substitute teacher for Carroll County Public Schools. I substitute taught in 15 schools across Carroll County, working in pre-k through fifth grade. I also filled in for Music, Art, and Physical Education classes. During the summers, I worked at the YMCA as a camp counselor. I began working at Glenwood Country Day School in September of 2001 as the 4/5’s teacher. I also had the opportunity to co-teach with the other teachers, working with children of different ages, as well as teaching in the summer camp program. In 2010, I wanted to take an adventure to the west coast to Oregon where I lived for five years. While in Oregon, I took classes in Early Childhood Development at Chemeketa Community College and worked as a teacher at The Providence/Benedictine Child Development Center. While there I worked with infants through school age children. In 2015, I returned to Maryland and came back to Glenwood Country Day School teaching in the 2/3 year old classroom. This year, I have children who are 18 months through 2 years old. I enjoy teaching and working with children because I love watching them learn and grow. Their minds are like little sponges that absorb so much knowledge that is given to them. It never ceases to amaze me how much children learn from their teachers and peers. I love watching how children shadow what they see other children and teachers doing. For me, this means their little brains are hard at work learning new things all the time.

After a year of being a frequent parent volunteer in my daughter’s nursery school classroom, I found myself inspired to make a career change.  To achieve this, I went back to school, attending UMBC, and took the classes I needed to receive my Maryland Certification in Early Childhood Education. Since then, I have taught Preschool and Kindergarten students in both public and private schools and received an additional degree from Hood College. I find teaching these youngest learners rewarding and fun and am excited to have the opportunity to work with them at Glenwood Country Day School during the year ahead.

Ms. Kayla is currently attending Towson University and will be graduated in May, 2023.  She plans to work in a daycare, specifically for children with special needs, and help them develop and grow each day.  Later down the road, Ms. Kayla plans to have her own daycare and help children around the world, in both general and special education.  She has worked with children ranging from ages 2 – 13 years old.

This is Ms. Frances’ 2nd year at Summer Adventures Camp.  Ms. Frances is currently a Music major at Towson University and will be graduating from Towson University. Currently she is student teaching. She has subbed at Glenwood Country Day School, working with children between the ages of 2 and 6.  She has experience working with children between the ages of 2 and 18.  Ms. Davis is very talented in that she owns and plays many instruments.  Ms. Frances’ hope is to be a music teacher after graduating from Towson University.

Ms. Melissa was born and raised in Howard County, Maryland.  Currently, Ms. Melissa lives in Baltimore County.  She graduated from Stevenson University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  Ms. Melissa likes to be outdoors, exploring new and historic cities, but will never miss the opportunity to hang out on the couch with her dog Bentley.  She is excited to be a part of the GCDS team.  She has several years of teaching experience and enjoys teaching young children new things.

I am Ms. Taylor.   I was born and raised in Mount Airy, Md and am the youngest of 3 girls. I have moved around a bit as a young adult, but I have recently moved back home to Mount Airy.

When I started school at West Virginia University I knew I always wanted to work with children, but I wasn’t sure in what way. By the end of my undergrad, I had finished an internship with Head Start and knew then I wanted to become a teacher. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and went back to school at WVU for a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Special Education. I have taught different ages up to second grade, but my heart has always been with early childhood!

This is my first-year teaching at Glenwood Country Day School but I attended school here from the ages of 2-5 years old. I am happy to be back as a teacher and I am ready for the new school year.