2025 - 2026 Redland Middle School Administration
Mr. Matthew Niper: Principal
I am proud to be the principal at Redland Middle School and privileged to serve as an administrator in Montgomery County Public Schools. I have been working in the field of education since 2003 and I have served as a science teacher, assistant principal, principal intern and acting principal. As the principal at Redland Middle School, I will work with our administrative team, leadership team and staff to continue the work of raising the level of achievement for all students. I strongly believe that through positive relationship building and a belief in each student as an individual, every student can be successful and accomplish their set goals.
I am also the proud parent of three energetic boys and my wonderful wife and I spend much of our extra time with them and our two dogs. My family can frequently be seen enjoying a sporting event, play or concert at Redland. They are excited to be a part of our Bulldog Family.
As an educational leader my core values center around motivation, dedication, respect and creative vision. These values play a key role in decision making and goal setting. I continuously strive to motivate and mentor our students and staff, developing strategies to support the school improvement plan and therefore increasing the overall student performance. I am dedicated to a strong and well-rounded student and I look forward to working with your students to develop this. In addition, respect is important to a student and their success. I continuously stress the importance of being respectful and how it makes stronger individuals throughout life. Your students will encounter an environment at Redland Middle School that is supportive, challenging, engaging and innovative. I look forward to supporting all students, staff and parents, implementing our mission and vision and continuing the strong community relationships, outstanding instructional programs, and highly effective collaboration for which Redland is known.
Ms. Magdalena Yanes: Assistant Principal
My name is Magdalena Yanes. I am honored and excited to join the community of Redland Middle School as an Assistant Principal. As I step into this role, my top priorities are to inspire, empower, and influence the adolescent learner to reach their maximum potential in the classroom and in the community, as well as having a positive impact with staff, families, and community members. I believe that education is most powerful when it’s grounded in trust, collaboration, and high expectations for every learner. The fundamental beliefs and core values that guide my actions and decisions are centered around equity, service, and integrity.
I am proud to have served as an educator in Montgomery County Public Schools for 25 years, 21 years in Middle School and four years in High School. I have previously served as an Assistant Principal, Assistant School Administrator, Resource Teacher, Community Liaison, Alternative Education Coordinator, and Classroom Teacher. My passion for teaching and learning began at PennState University where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education. I then continued to enhance my studies by emerging myself in various learning opportunities around the art of teaching language. I earned a Master Degree in Educational Leadership from Hood College.
My commitment to students' success is grounded in the belief that all students can achieve at great levels with adequate support. I aim to ensure that students are given opportunities to succeed in spite of challenges. Empowering our students to be lifelong learners while embracing and valuing each other's diverse mindsets and experiences is in the forefront of my work. My vision as an Assistant Principal is to foster an equitable learning environment for each student and to provide students with rigorous instruction, ensuring that adolescent learners are able to reach their full potential. Through my work I will strive to inspire, guide, collaborate, and support others to best serve our school community.
I have been married to my husband, Kervin, for 26 wonderful years. Together, we have four amazing children: two sons and two daughters. Our eldest, Mario, is a Fire Protection Engineer. Our second son, also named Kervin, proudly serves in the United States Navy. Our daughter Lizbeth is in her fourth year at the University of Maryland, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Public Health. Bianca, our youngest, is in her second year at Towson University working toward a Nursing degree.
At Redland Middle School we are dedicated to ensuring success for all students by providing rigorous, differentiated, and equitable instruction; collaborating with stakeholders in purposeful decision-making; utilizing teaching strategies and infusing technology to engage the adolescent learner; creating cultural awareness in a respectful and safe learning environment; and fostering an environment where open communication is valued. Our core values are respect self, respect others, and respect school.
Mrs. Tonia Riggs: Assistant School Administrator
I am both honored and excited to continue serving the Redland Middle School community in the role of Assistant School Administrator. Over the past 25 years in MCPS I have held a variety of education and leadership roles, including mathematics teacher, sixth grade team leader, mathematics content specialist, and most recently, Student Engagement and Support Team Leader here at Redland. I earned an undergraduate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from Hood College.
My husband and I have two amazing daughters, who are both graduates of MCPS. Our oldest daughter, Madelyn, recently earned a degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. Our younger daughter, Lauren, is entering her sophomore year at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she plays on the women’s lacrosse team and is pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy. As a family we enjoy spending time outdoors - hiking, kayaking, and traveling to support Lauren at her lacrosse games.
I am driven by my core values which include building positive relationships, respect, and honesty. These values guide my work each day as an educational leader. By fostering a supportive and respectful school culture, I strive to ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and valued. I am committed to open communication and collaboration with staff, students, and families in order to create an environment where all members of our school community can thrive.