So You Want to Teach? Pathways to the Arts Classroom

Sophia Fitzpatrick is the Director of Licensure in the Division of Educator Effectiveness at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), leading and managing the interpretation and implementation of laws, regulations, and policies & procedures governing educator licensure. Ms. Fitzpatrick has over 15 years of experience in the education sector, ranging from higher education and policy, ed-tech, and K-12 as a teacher and school administrator, with a focus on delivering high-quality service, developing and delivering training, and creating strategy to meet goals. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education from the College of Charleston, and a Master of Science in School Administration and Urban Education from Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Fitzpatrick is a Baltimore native, gothic & classic fantasy literature fanatic, and lives in the city with her daughter, who will be attending college at Johns Hopkins in the fall.

Tamara DeShields-Burns is an accomplished education professional with over 20 years of experience in public school administrative, human resources, and licensure roles. Mrs. Deshields-Burns began her career in 1998 with the School District of Philadelphia and has since served in positions with Lancaster IU13, the Fund for Educational Excellence, and Baltimore City Public Schools. Tamara holds a B.S. in Human Services from Chestnut Hill College and an M.S. in Human Resource Management from Strayer University. Currently, she is the Manager of Licensure at the Maryland State Department of Education, where she leverages her extensive expertise to strengthen educator credentialing processes, support policy implementation, and promote professional development. Passionate about equity and excellence in education, Tamara is dedicated to empowering educators and systemic improvement across the State of Maryland.

Donald Terry Jr. is a strategic and equity-driven Human Resources leader with deep expertise in educational staffing and recruitment. With roles in HR staffing for both Baltimore City Public Schools and Baltimore County Public Schools, Donald has successfully led efforts to identify and address systemic gaps in recruitment, helping school systems attract, hire, and retain high-quality, diverse talent. His work is grounded in data, community insight, and a commitment to building inclusive pipelines that meet the evolving needs of students and schools. 

As the founder of Thought Partnership, a consulting firm focused on talent strategy and organizational development, Donald supports mission-driven institutions in strengthening their HR practices, centering equity and sustainability in their operations. His ability to diagnose challenges and implement strategic solutions has made him a trusted advisor across sectors.

Beyond his work in HR, Donald is a passionate entrepreneur and community advocate. He owns Betty Lee’s Candy Dish, a nostalgic candy shop located in Baltimore’s historic Lexington Market, which serves as a joyful space for connection, culture, and small business visibility.

Wednesday, June 18th

Breakout Session 5: 1:45 – 2:45 PM

Room: CPA 105 BDF