A Message from our Principal:
Welcome to Patuxent Valley Middle School! It is a true honor to join this exceptional school community and to serve alongside our dedicated staff, students, families, and community partners. Middle school is one of the most transformative times in a young person's life. It is a time when students discover who they are, develop confidence in their abilities, and begin to see the possibilities for their future. At Patuxent Valley, we are committed to creating a school where every student is known, valued, challenged, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.
I believe that academic excellence and a strong sense of belonging go hand in hand. Students learn best when they feel safe, respected, and connected to those around them. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and we are committed to fostering a culture where every student's identity, experiences, and perspectives are celebrated as an essential part of our community. Together, we will cultivate curious learners, critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and resilient problem solvers who are prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world. We will continue to set high expectations while providing the support, encouragement, and opportunities every student needs to succeed.
The success of Patuxent Valley is built on partnership. By working together with families, staff, and our community, we can ensure that every child experiences a school where they are cared for, challenged, and empowered to grow each day. I look forward to listening, learning, and building meaningful relationships as we continue to honor the traditions of Patuxent Valley while embracing new opportunities for our students and school community. Together, we will continue to make Patuxent Valley Middle School a place where every student belongs, achieves, and is prepared for whatever comes next.
Core Values
- Success
- Tenacity
- Respect
- Ownership
- Nobility
- Growth
Meet our Administration Team
Peter Gaylord
School Principal
Email: Peter_Gaylord@hcpss.org
Carol Ketterman
Assistant Principal | Grade 6 and Grade 7 (A–K)
Email: Carol_Ketterman@hcpss.org
I’m excited to continue serving the Patuxent Valley Middle School community as Assistant Principal. In my 26+ years in education, I’ve had the opportunity to work as an elementary and middle school teacher, a special education team leader, and an assistant principal at both the middle and high school levels.
Middle school is such a unique and important time, and it’s my absolute favorite age group to work with! Students are figuring out who they are, building independence, and growing in so many ways all at once. I believe strongly in getting to know students as individuals and making sure they feel supported and valued for who they are.
I feel lucky to be part of a school community like PVMS, where the staff is so dedicated, the students are incredible, and families are so supportive. I look forward to another great year of learning and celebrating our successes together.
LaVerne Porter
Assistant Principal | Grade 7 (L-Z) and Grade 8
Email: LaVerne_Porter@hcpss.org
I am honored to serve as an Assistant Principal and to be part of such an incredible school community.
For more than 25 years, I have had the privilege of working with students in a variety of roles. I began my career as a music teacher and band director, teaching students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Over the years, I have also taught fourth and fifth grade and served as a middle school teacher in mathematics, reading and writing, health, music, and elective courses. Each experience has reinforced my belief that every student has unique strengths and can achieve great things when they are encouraged, challenged, and supported.
As an Assistant Principal since 2023, I have been committed to creating a school where every student feels welcomed, valued, and inspired to learn. I believe that strong relationships between students, families, and staff are the foundation of a thriving school community. I look forward to partnering with you to make this a wonderful school year for every Bulldog!
Instructional Team Leaders
Scott Howe |6 Grade Team Leader |
Kelly Rende |7 Grade Team Leader |
Megan Aucoin Cassedy |8th Grade Team Leader |
Lindsay Kolesar |Special Education Team Leader |
Vacant |Science Team Leader|
Vacant |Related Arts Team Leader |
Stacey Petry |Math Team Leader|
Kelly Green |English Team Leader |
Timothy Williamson |Social Studies Team Leader |
Cluster 3 Board of Education Representative
Howard County public schools are divided into school clusters, which are assigned to individual Board members to facilitate school visitations, attend special events, and provide a point of contact for each school community. View all BOE school cluster assignments.
Patuxent Valley Middle School BOE Representative: Jolene Mosley