PTO Board

Meet the PTO board.  Term: July 2024-June 2026

 
 

Melissa Rock, president

I'm Melissa Rock, the PTO President. I have a 3rd grader at HEMS, who has been there since pre-K (although that was virtual so only sort of counts). We love being a part of the HEMS family. I do early childhood policy work focused on supporting families across Baltimore City with young children. I have had some leadership and facilitation training, and am hopeful those skills will help this PTO be very productive with engaging and efficient monthly PTO meetings! I love being outside and taking walks in Wyman Park and I love Baltimore City. I am excited to support HEMS families as well as the administration and staff to make the best use of all of our resources.

 

Jill Cardarella, Vice President

I am Jill Cardarella, the PTO Vice-President. I have 24 years of teaching experience with 14 at Hampden EMS. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and hanging out with friends while enjoying a lovely meal. I love working at Hampden because of the community support which provides the school with resources that support instructional and enrichment activities. Also, it is such an honor to work with such great families that make me a better educator.   

 

Maria Peña-Guerrero, Secretary

I’m Maria Peña-Guerrero, the PTO Secretary. I have two kids at HEMS, one 3rd grader and a Kindergartener. We are an out-of-zone family and have been here since my oldest was in pre-K. I’m an astronomer turned software engineer. I love a good cup of coffee and listening to music (I may have been seen dancing as well). I’m excited to serve the Mustang community.

 

Erin FitzGerald, treasurer

I’m Erin FitzGerald, and I’m excited to be the new PTO treasurer. I’m looking forward to using my organizational skills to keep our books in order! I have been teaching in Baltimore City Public Schools for fifteen years. This is my third year as a special educator at Hampden Elementary Middle School, and I’m thrilled to have found such a diverse, caring, and hardworking school community. In my spare time, I like to travel and eat good food. I am also a self-proclaimed “word nerd” who could talk for hours about books and crossword puzzles.