Board of Directors

Paul Lemle was enjoying a fun (but not lucrative) career as a professional musician when he was diagnosed with lymphoma at age 28. After this experience, he returned to Louisiana State University for a graduate degree in education with incarcerated youth. He moved to Maryland in 2003 when his wife began working for the federal government; they have an adoptive family of three boys. Paul is a teacher of American Government and Law in Howard County Public Schools, and served his colleagues as Howard County Education Association president from 2011-17. He lived in the UK from 2017-2021 while his wife was stationed overseas, and has been teaching at Reservoir HS since 2021.

Nikki Woodward is an early intervention infant and toddler specialist for vision/visual perceptual disabilities or developmental delays. Her experience in the birth–12 setting spans general education and special education. Throughout her career, Nikki has elevated early childhood, antiracist, just schools, disability justice, and restorative justice to amplify education justice across all public education. Nikki believes that public education is an equalizer for all learners, and we must provide them the opportunity to become their greatest selves. Nikki moved to the DMV area in 2006, making this her home where together with her husband, they are rearing three children in Prince George’s County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Converse College, a Master of Arts from the University of North Colorado, Advance Graduate Studies from George Washington University and Gallaudet University, and a Doctorate in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Nikki is also a fellow recipient of the Maryland Early Intervention Leadership Academy (EILA) and the Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP).

Nikki serves on MSEA Fund for Children and Public Education Steering Committee and as vice chair of the MSEA Minority Caucus. She is vice president of the Montgomery County Education Association. Nikki is a member of NEA Leaders for Just Schools, NEA IDEA Cadre, and NEA Strategic Campaign Institute Steering Committee.

Colleen Morris has been an elementary classroom teacher in Howard County for more than 25 years. She served as HCEA president from 2017 through 2023. As the president of a merged local with NEA grants that support all of our educators, Morris worked on solutions for members around their concerns related to student discipline and restorative justice. Morris grew up in Howard County learning from amazing HCPSS educators. After earning a degree in Early Childhood she returned to HCPSS to become a teacher, following in her mother’s footsteps. Her career was spent in Title One schools teaching Pre-K through 3rd grade. She became involved with the HCEA negotiating stronger contracts for over two decades. Union beliefs around access to working conditions and benefits need to be applied consistently across our organization. Union family has been in Morris’ blood. Her grandfathers worked in the coal mines in Lackawanna County, PA and she grew up as part of that union family. Creating strong governance structures that include policies, procedures, and data management systems to ensure we will be equipped to effectively engage our members in our mission. Our amazing leaders advocate for public education on a daily basis because our kids and educators can’t wait!

Russell Leone is an elementary teacher in Anne Arundel County. He is serving as the president of TAAAC (Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County). In addition to serving on the MSEA Board of Directors, Russell is the senior NEA Director for Maryland. Russell began his tenure on September 1, 2015.  Russell grew up in Prince George’s County and attended public school there, graduating from Bowie High School in 1987. Russell earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University.  Russell has served members as a building representative, a member of the TAAAC Board of Directors, and as TAAAC secretary-treasurer. He currently serves as the MSEA Board liaison to the Leadership Development Committee.

Ivory Smith is an education advocate, civic activist, recognized local, state, and national leader, and a proud education support professional. He has been employed with the Worcester County Public Schools System for 15 years, and currently serves as president of the Worcester County Education Support Professional Association. He sits on the boards of directors of MSEA and NEA. In 2023, Ivory was named MSEA’s ESP of the Year. Ivory received his Association of Arts Degree in Business Administration at Wor-Wic Community College.

Ivory loves to spend time with his two granddaughters. His hobbies are cooking and gardening.

Danillya Wilson is the current MSEA board liaison to the Instructional Professional Development Committee and the Fund for Children and Public Education. She also serves as the vice president for the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) and the co-chair of the Peer Assistance and Review Panel in MCPS.

Danillya taught first grade for over a decade at Wheaton Woods Elementary School, where she served as a building representative, an elected faculty representative, and MCEA secretary. Through her work with MCEA, she has been a member of the curriculum selection team, the technology committee, the Political Action and Legislative Services (PALS) Committee, and multiple bargaining teams. Danillya achieved her National Board Certification as an early childhood generalist in 2022.

Michelle Alexander is a library media specialist with the Montgomery County Public School System. As an NEA director, she looks forward to working with her colleagues nationwide to fight for public education that is open to all ideas and to combat censorship of books and curriculum. In addition to serving on the MSEA Board of Directors, she serves as the MSEA board liaison to the Educators of Color Taskforce which is actively working to promote and retain educators of color in Maryland and support locals in doing the same.  

Michelle grew up in Howard County, graduating from Wilde Lake High School. She holds a bachelor of science in animal science from Tuskegee Institute, a bachelor of arts in broadcast journalism from Howard University, a master of education in curriculum and instruction from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a juris doctorate from University of Baltimore School of Law. She has certificates in equity and excellence in education from McDaniel College and in administration and supervision from Towson University. She resides in Columbia, Maryland where she enjoys time with family.

In 2002, Matt graduated from the University of Indiana Pennsylvania. He was recruited by Wicomico County to teach 6th grade social studies. Matt transferred to JMB High School where he taught American Government in 2005. Matt received the Mentor Teacher of the Year Award from Salisbury University in 2007. Matt relocated to central Maryland where he has taught social studies at Reservoir High School since 2007. Matt earned his master’s in curriculum and instruction from McDaniel College in 2010. Matt has chaired the Government Relations Committee for the Howard County Education Association and ran for the Baltimore County Board of Education in 2018. Matt won the Gilder Lehrman Maryland History Teacher of the Year Award in 2020.

Tanya Johnson Martin is a middle school reading specialist and reading team leader with the Howard County Public School System. Tanya is a member of the Howard County Education Association and has held several leadership positions within the county. Tanya is looking forward to utilizing her leadership strengths as she works with the NEA board of directors and MSEA members and leaders to continue our focus on topics that are important in education.

Tanya grew up in Baltimore County and attended public school there, graduating from Randallstown High School in 1989. In 1995, Tanya graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Tanya graduated from Loyola College of Maryland in 1999 with a Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction. Several years later, she attended Loyola University of Maryland, where she earned her Reading Specialist credentials. Tanya resides in Owing Mills with her husband, Reginald, and their dog, CC.

Nikki Woodward is an early intervention infant and toddler specialist for vision/visual perceptual disabilities or developmental delays. Her experience in the birth–12 setting spans general education and special education. Throughout her career, Nikki has elevated early childhood, antiracist, just schools, disability justice, and restorative justice to amplify education justice across all public education. Nikki believes that public education is an equalizer for all learners, and we must provide them the opportunity to become their greatest selves. Nikki moved to the DMV area in 2006, making this her home where together with her husband, they are rearing three children in Prince George’s County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Converse College, a Master of Arts from the University of North Colorado, Advance Graduate Studies from George Washington University and Gallaudet University, and a Doctorate in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Nikki is also a fellow recipient of the Maryland Early Intervention Leadership Academy (EILA) and the Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP).

Nikki serves on MSEA Fund for Children and Public Education Steering Committee and as vice chair of the MSEA Minority Caucus. She is vice president of the Montgomery County Education Association. Nikki is a member of NEA Leaders for Just Schools, NEA IDEA Cadre, and NEA Strategic Campaign Institute Steering Committee.

Sean Johnson has been with the Maryland State Education Association since 2010, initially serving as the association’s Assistant Executive Director for Political and Legislative Affairs, serving as the chief lobbyist and political director. He took over as Executive Director in September 2020.

Prior to coming to MSEA, Sean served as the Senior Campaign Specialist in the Campaigns and Elections Department at the National Education Association (NEA). He returned to NEA during the 2016 election cycle to manage the Association’s presidential campaign effort.

Sean has 24 years of campaign experience, managing and serving on staff of various local, state and national campaigns.  He also has extensive background in organizing, message development, and strategic communications through his years as a political organizer and campaign consultant.

Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Sean earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University.