PTO Board

Meet the 2026-2028 PTO board

Elaina McWilliams, president

Elaina McWilliams is the mom of two kids at HEMS, Cora (8th) and Bo (5th). Since moving to Hampden in 2010, she has watched Hampden Elementary Middle grow and flourish under Dr. Foster and Ms. Maxwell’s leadership. Building on the great work of our prior PTO leaders, she hopes to foster a PTO space that is welcoming and responsive to HEMS's diverse community. Outside of volunteering at HEMS, Elaina is a Girl Scout troop leader, swing dancer, community-based researcher, and psychotherapist in private practice.

Marci Brewer, Vice President

Marci Brewer has been a part of the HEMS family since her daughter, Ruby (8th grade), started kindergarten, and has resided in Hampden since 2011. A mother of five—including Ruby’s four stepsiblings who attend school in Baltimore County—Marci brings over 20 years of public health expertise and a passion for gardening, camping, and crafting to the board. She is eager to support the HEMS community in continuing to thrive and grow this year.  

Julia Tilghman, Secretary

Julia Tilghman is excited to be a part of HEMS PTO! Her children are in 3rd grade and Kindergarten and they have been at HEMS for 4 years! She is also a therapist who has worked in a Title 1 Baltimore County public school for the past 14 years. She appreciate the community HEMS offers, the leadership D. Foster offers and the incredible retention rate and support HEMS staff and teachers provide.

Mrs. Cusse, treasurer

Mrs. Cusse (formerly Miss Shumacher) has been teaching at HEMS for more than 15 years. During that time, she has taught all core subject areas in grades 3–6, with the past 10 years spent in 4th grade. She earned her undergraduate degree from Albion College and her master's degree in education from Central Michigan University. She loves teaching at Hampden because of the strong relationships she has built with students, families, and staff over the years. She values the school's diversity and believes it is one of the many qualities that makes Hampden such a unique and special place to learn. As a PTO member, she hopes to help create opportunities that celebrate and represent the diverse voices and experiences within the Hampden community but also with those who join us from all over the city! 

Originally from Michigan, Mrs. Cusse has called the Baltimore area home for the past 20 years. She still enjoys any opportunity to talk about snow, the Great Lakes, and the University of Michigan (Go Blue!).  You will see her classroom decorated in Star Wars (May the 4th Grade be with you) and a variety of fun seating choices.  Mrs. Cusse is incredibly proud of the school community she has helped build and is excited to experience Hampden from a new perspective as a Pre-K parent. 

Mrs. Ali-El, PTO-School Liason

Mrs. Ali-El is dedicated to making Hampden great as her first and only school. She brings a wealth of knowledge having served in several capacities over her 12 years at Hampden including special education, elementary language arts, middle school science and reading intervention.