Anonymous
01/09/2026 19:47
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
You listed mostly boring administrative and unimportant staff that shows on surface and that many people can do. The most important thing is designing curriculum and finding qualified teachers to teach courses that will challenge advanced learners. That is a very unique skill that requires experience and deep STEM knowledge.
See my added comment on 10:43 am. I'm summarizing from the things I can see from parent side, and the job description accurately summarizes his main job at designing and maintaining the high quality of the program: curriculum and teacher. Now the regional model will have the curriculum as Mr. O will be there. Recruiting enough qualified teachers? Lmao.
They are not trying to keep SMCS. They will not keep the curriculum. They have already said the math track will use the mcps standard.
When did they say that?
Anonymous
01/09/2026 19:37
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
How many if these activities will continue under the STEM regional program?
It's unlikely that the curriculum from Blair's magnet will be duplicated in many other programs, perhaps region 4. It took a few years of support through joint instructional leadership teams and a former Blair magnet teacher in the lead to get Poolesville's program started. Quality results require quality input.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 18:42
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
You listed mostly boring administrative and unimportant staff that shows on surface and that many people can do. The most important thing is designing curriculum and finding qualified teachers to teach courses that will challenge advanced learners. That is a very unique skill that requires experience and deep STEM knowledge.
See my added comment on 10:43 am. I'm summarizing from the things I can see from parent side, and the job description accurately summarizes his main job at designing and maintaining the high quality of the program: curriculum and teacher. Now the regional model will have the curriculum as Mr. O will be there. Recruiting enough qualified teachers? Lmao.
They are not trying to keep SMCS. They will not keep the curriculum. They have already said the math track will use the mcps standard.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 17:23
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
You listed mostly boring administrative and unimportant staff that shows on surface and that many people can do. The most important thing is designing curriculum and finding qualified teachers to teach courses that will challenge advanced learners. That is a very unique skill that requires experience and deep STEM knowledge.
Isn't the curriculum already developed? What new curriculum development does the coordinator do?
Anonymous
01/09/2026 17:10
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
You listed mostly boring administrative and unimportant staff that shows on surface and that many people can do. The most important thing is designing curriculum and finding qualified teachers to teach courses that will challenge advanced learners. That is a very unique skill that requires experience and deep STEM knowledge.
See my added comment on 10:43 am. I'm summarizing from the things I can see from parent side, and the job description accurately summarizes his main job at designing and maintaining the high quality of the program: curriculum and teacher. Now the regional model will have the curriculum as Mr. O will be there. Recruiting enough qualified teachers? Lmao.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 16:38
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
With someone adding this position to an existing full time job , I imagine the list will be reduced significantly. Anything nit required will end or be changed. Field trips will become videos. Competitions will be reduced . Research projects will become an essay on an idea.oeople will forget what once was over time.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 16:28
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
You listed mostly boring administrative and unimportant staff that shows on surface and that many people can do. The most important thing is designing curriculum and finding qualified teachers to teach courses that will challenge advanced learners. That is a very unique skill that requires experience and deep STEM knowledge.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 16:06
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
How many if these activities will continue under the STEM regional program?
What makes you think any of that will be offered in all six STEM regional programs? It'll become STEM, not SMCS.
I've heard wonderful things about Mr. O. The cynic in me wonders if he is getting out of Dodge while he can. It is good to leave on a high note.
That's quite cynical since he's staying inside MCPS. The complaint about expansion of programs, particularly STEM, has been "no one will know how to set up a new program."
Now they have recruited basically the most qualified person in MCPS to take on the task of standing up the new programs, and people are still complaining.
This is certainly a positive development. But I will reserve my judgement until I see their next presentation. There are currently too many regions/programs. They will have to revise some of the statements they made in the past if they are really serious about building a strong new magnet network. One of them is that they don't need new teachers. Mr. O knows very well that most of current MCPS math and science teachers can't get an A in math and science programs he helped establish at Blair let alone teach them.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 15:41
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
How many if these activities will continue under the STEM regional program?
What makes you think any of that will be offered in all six STEM regional programs? It'll become STEM, not SMCS.
I've heard wonderful things about Mr. O. The cynic in me wonders if he is getting out of Dodge while he can. It is good to leave on a high note.
That's quite cynical since he's staying inside MCPS. The complaint about expansion of programs, particularly STEM, has been "no one will know how to set up a new program."
Now they have recruited basically the most qualified person in MCPS to take on the task of standing up the new programs, and people are still complaining.
I am just as cynical as the poster above...but I am happy to hear that Mr O will at least be involved. I think it was a good choice to leave before seeing his program be diluted/dismantled.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 14:46
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
How many if these activities will continue under the STEM regional program?
What makes you think any of that will be offered in all six STEM regional programs? It'll become STEM, not SMCS.
I've heard wonderful things about Mr. O. The cynic in me wonders if he is getting out of Dodge while he can. It is good to leave on a high note.
That's quite cynical since he's staying inside MCPS. The complaint about expansion of programs, particularly STEM, has been "no one will know how to set up a new program."
Now they have recruited basically the most qualified person in MCPS to take on the task of standing up the new programs, and people are still complaining.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 14:40
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
How many if these activities will continue under the STEM regional program?
What makes you think any of that will be offered in all six STEM regional programs? It'll become STEM, not SMCS.
I've heard wonderful things about Mr. O. The cynic in me wonders if he is getting out of Dodge while he can. It is good to leave on a high note.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 14:18
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
How many if these activities will continue under the STEM regional program?
Anonymous
01/09/2026 10:43
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
Position description:
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/personnel/classification/descriptions/description.aspx?fn=0435-125
Ah, this is a good description of his role at the leader side: basically he is the group lead of magnet teachers, so think about your boss' job functionality: hiring, evaluating and relocating staffs, designing tasks and monitoring progress...
Anonymous
01/09/2026 10:34
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
A magnet parent here. From what I can observe, he coordinates AMC, AIME, and several other competition events that require testing center qualification and registration procedures every few years. He coordinates the annual field trip for sophomore, and annual research symposium presentation where he'll need to invite judges, invite speakers, etc. He help a lot on logistics of ARML practice and trip. He manages and distributes internship opportunities. For several student-led events (e.g., mbmt, mbit, etc.), he provides logistic supports. For a lot of out-of-school competition that students participate (e.g., science fair, conference presentation), he needs to serve as the school gatekeeper to sign off whatever legal documents needs to be signed. I'm not sure how much work he needs to do for senior college application, but I won't suppose those works are easy-peasy.
Anonymous
01/09/2026 10:31
Subject: Blair Magnet Coordinator Ostrander appointment to Supervisor of Academic Programs (Regional Magnets), effective Feb 2026
Anonymous wrote:What does a magnet coordinator do?
Position description:
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/personnel/classification/descriptions/description.aspx?fn=0435-125