Hallie Wells Middle School Administrative Team
Dr. Carla McNeal, Principal
Hallie Wells Mustang Family, I am thrilled to be starting year three as your principal. I have thoroughly enjoyed becoming a part of this community and appreciate all of the beautiful components that make this community what it is.
Middle school was a tough time for me. I was relatively smart, I was an avid reader, and my parents were incredibly supportive of me and my endeavors, but the hard things about growing up sometimes overshadowed all of the good things that were going well for me. Because of that experience, I am acutely aware of the challenges that middle school students and parents/guardians face. I also understand that with the introduction of cell phones and social media, children’s sense of belonging and who they are can get lost. For this reason, I am committed to being an advocate for you and your children when it comes to ensuring not only their academic success, but also their well being and social/emotional comfort.
I have been an educator since 2004 and even while in college, I was a substitute teacher. I am a native of Alabama and have been with MCPS since 2011, having served as a teacher, resource teacher, assistant school administrator, and assistant principal. My experiences include time at the high school level, so having that lens affords me the perspective of knowing what your children are preparing for. Middle school is a time where children can develop their love for learning while trying new things without a lot of risk; this is incredibly important. The time in middle school goes fast, so our staff at Hallie Wells do our best to help your children develop the skills they need, to include soft, technical, and adaptive skills to be successful in all that they do.
When I’m not at school, I am spending time with my family- my husband Cedric, who is a Captain in the US Navy, and our 6 year-old son, Carter. I am a creative person who loves to read and make things with my hands when I have time! Most importantly, I am always “on” as your principal and you can trust that I will always be available to support you and your family.
Mr. Christopher Paskvan, Assistant Principal
I am excited to begin my third year as an assistant principal at Hallie Wells Middle School. I am proud to have been in education since 2006, serving in multiple capacities. I have previously served as an assistant principal, assistant school administrator, staff development teacher, math content specialist, and math teacher. I earned a Bachelor's degree from Ashland University in middle school education with concentrations in mathematics and social studies. I earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame of Maryland.
School was always my great escape. I had many challenges at home that I had to overcome. The bright spot in those moments was knowing I was able to leave the house for half the day to attend school. In school, I found positive relationships with teachers that allowed me to thrive. I felt comfortable, unafraid, and excited about learning. I found opportunities to find my voice, lead peers, play sports, and enjoy the social environment. My experiences are not unique. I know there are many students who come to school to find the same escape, the same relationships, the same excitement for learning and social interactions. My purpose as an assistant principal is to embody and empower all students who enter the building so they, too, can find their niche.
Relationships are the stepping stones needed to move an instructional program forward. Relationships with students, staff, community members, and the parent community are the key to promoting effective collaboration towards a common goal. As an administrator, I will seek to form relational trust with all stakeholders to ensure collaboration is at the forefront of my work. I will do this by meeting with teachers and discussing their needs and interests, be visible in the classroom, be respectful to all staff and students, and continue to solicit feedback on ways we can continue to improve at Hallie Wells Middle School.
Ms. Tara Kelly, Assistant Principal
Hello Hallie Wells Family! I have been a proud Mustang since the building opened in 2016. I started my teaching journey in Los Angeles, then Baltimore County, and landed in Montgomery County Public Schools in 2001. My entire career has been in service to middle school children and every day is an adventure. My journey has included teaching social studies, writing curriculum, and working on multiple leadership teams. I currently serve as an assistant principal, working with the 7th-grade students and the English, Social Studies, and World Language Teams. It is important for me to build relationships with each of the teachers and support them so they can be their best selves for the children.
Middle school is a time of social-emotional development, and I like to help children understand how their own development impacts their day-to-day life. In three short years, the children change so much, and supporting each of them as they navigate adolescence is what I consider my most important work. This includes everything from how to use different parts of your brain to study for a test to why friendships and interests are evolving. It is a joy to see how much children grow and mature while at Hallie Wells.
Outside of school, I am typically enjoying my role as a daughter, sister, and aunt. I have a very tight-knit family, and we like to spend time together at meals, at church, playing games, and traveling. You may see me rooting for a team in the community or even at a cheer competition. If you do, please come and say hi!
Mr. Christopher Miller, Assistant School Administrator
My name is Christopher Miller, and I am incredibly honored to be the Assistant School Administrator at the amazing Hallie Wells Middle School. I am an MCPS Crisis Prevention Institute trainer. I hold a master’s degree in Human Behavior and a post-master’s certificate in Behavior Analysis. Currently, I am finishing a second post-master’s program in Educational Leadership. Over the past 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with students with disabilities and behavioral needs in and out of the classroom. I’m especially passionate about organizational behavior management and empowering educators with practical tools to build strong, positive relationships with students. My core values of commitment, positive relationships, and adaptability drive how I interact with students, staff, and the community.. I believe that all students deserve a safe and supportive environment to receive the highest quality education.
On a personal note, I’ve been married for eight years, and my wife and I have two wonderful children—a 6-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter. We stay on the go with music and dance lessons. In our downtime, we enjoy skateboarding/riding bikes, running, hiking, gardening, restoring our 1840s home and singing (poorly) to '90s and early 2000s music.
I love connecting with the community and look forward to building upon the excellence already happening at Hallie Wells. I am honored to be part of such a dynamic and student-centered school community and can’t wait to connect with all of you. Go Mustangs!
Administrative Team
Mr. Paskvan (Asst. Principal), Mr. Miller (Asst. School Administrator), Chris Thornett (Staff Development Teacher)
Ms. Kelly (Assistant Principal), Dr. McNeal (Principal), Mrs. Huff (Admin Secretary(