Letters from our principal and assistant principal
From Dr. Taylor-Cox, Our Principal
19 July 2022
Dear Forest Knolls Families,
It is with great excitement that I introduce myself as the new Principal of Forest Knolls Elementary School. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school that is so highly regarded by the students, staff, and families. I will continue to build on the tradition of excellence established by the Forest Knolls community. As a committed and collaborative school community, we will work together to promote the academic success and well-being of all students.
I began my educational career in Montgomery County Public Schools more than 30 years ago, serving as a classroom teacher, Academic Support teacher, Intervention teacher, and Math Content Coach. My most recent positions include Principal Intern at Beall Elementary School and Assistant Principal at Lake Seneca Elementary School. I am thrilled to bring my experiences and expertise as an instructional leader to Forest Knolls Elementary School.
I view education as a life-long process and strive to model continual improvement. Your voice matters to me. I welcome your thoughts, ideas, and opinions. I believe that advancing equity ensures high outcomes for all. I will always place students first in all school-related decisions. I look forward to learning more about the uniqueness of being a FKES Mustang this year and in the years to come.
On a personal note, my family means the world to me. I have three adult children, two more through marriage, and four beautiful granddaughters. My husband, mother, and I thoroughly enjoy when everyone is together playing games, laughing, telling stories, and creating more memories. I appreciate watching and cheering for my favorite hockey team, the Washington Capitals. I love to read because books offer adventure, entertainment, and knowledge. I like to write and conduct science experiments. Math is my favorite subject because it is the powerful voice of logic and problem solving. I look forward to sharing my passion for learning with you!
I am honored to support the implementation of the Forest Knolls’ mission of preparing students to be lifelong learners, effective problem solvers, responsible citizens, and productive contributors to their world. I look forward to working with the students, staff, and families of Forest Knolls. If you are visiting the building, please feel free to stop by and introduce yourself. I am committed to being the best Principal I can be for my new Forest Knolls family. Go Mustangs!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Taylor-Cox, Ph.D.
From Ms. Stump, Our Assistant Principal
July 20, 2022
Dear Forest Knolls Community,
I am honored and excited to join the Forest Knolls community as Assistant Principal for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. I look forward to continuing my learning and growth with the Forest Knolls students, staff, and families.
I was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Hyattsville, Maryland where I still currently reside with my husband, and our two sons who are ages two and six. As a child I struggled to read due to the numerous ear infections and surgeries I underwent. After years of struggling to decode and comprehend text, “a light bulb” went off at age ten and reading just “clicked.” A whole new world opened to me, and my love of reading took off. My struggles with learning how to read prompted me to earn my Masters in Reading and later become a literacy coach. Based on my experiences and struggles with learning to read, I developed a drive for ensuring all students feel successful in the classroom. As a result, I am passionate and driven about using multiple data points to drive student instruction and achievement.
This year I will begin my 18th year in Montgomery County Public Schools. Prior to joining the Forest Knolls community, I spent my time at Viers Mill Elementary School, Benjamin Banneker Middle School, and Rock View Elementary School. My experiences as a teacher, team leader, literacy coach, content specialist, and assistant principal have allowed me to engage multiple stakeholders in the success of our students. I plan on bringing these experiences to Forest Knolls in order to promote equitable access to instruction, academic success, and social-emotional well-being.
I look forward to working collaboratively with all of you to ensure the success of all our students. I am excited to meet you and more of our students in the coming week! Please feel free to reach out to me by phone at (240) 740-1640 or via email at Joan_M_Stump@mcpsmd.org.
Sincerely,
Ms. Joan Stump
