Mrs. Brown has been a School Counselor at SPHS since 2013.  She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Gender Studies from Loyola College in Maryland and Master's degree in Education: School Counseling from Loyola University Maryland.  Prior to working at SPHS, Mrs. Brown was a College & Career Advisor at a local high school and a Financial Aid Counselor at Notre Dame of Maryland University.  Mrs. Brown is an Annapolis native and currently  resides there with her husband, daughter, two kitties and bulldog.  She enjoys boating, paddle boarding, yoga, coffee, and spending time with her family. 

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Ms. Tate has been a school counselor for over 15 years, and prior to that was a teacher at the high school level for 9 years.  After earning her degree in counseling from Loyola College in Maryland, she completed post-graduate coursework at Johns Hopkins University. In addition, Ms. Tate earned a Master of Science in Health Administration.  She is a Nationally Certified Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Ms. Tate grew up in Severna Park and attended Benfield Elementary, SPMS and Severn School.  She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and being outside, especially at the beach!

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Miss Singer has been a School Counselor since 2007.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology  with a minor in Special Education from Loyola College in Maryland and her Master’s degree in Education: School Counseling from Loyola College of Maryland.  Miss Singer is a native Pennsylvanian, but has converted to being a Baltimorean for the past 19 years. She is a diehard Caps fan. She enjoys traveling, movies, paddleboarding, being outside and anything with her family, friends and dogs.  She spends most of her free time training and competing in dog agility and teaching others who share the same love of the sport.  

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Mr. Yi was born in Guam but has spent most of his life in Maryland. He also lived in Spain for three years where he taught English as a foreign language to primary school students. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Spanish from University of Maryland – College Park and his Master's degree in School Counseling from Wake Forest University. He enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and watching movies.

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Mrs. Nichols has been a school counselor since 1997. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Minor in Criminal Justice from Temple University, in Philadelphia and her Master’s degree in Counseling Services from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. A Native Philadelphian, Mrs. Nichols and her family currently live in Arnold.  She enjoys shopping, movies, traveling and spending time with her daughter.  

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Mrs. Ruhf has been a counselor at SPHS since 1999.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Elon College and a Master’s degree in Education:  School Counseling from Bowie State University.  Mrs. Ruhf is an Annapolitan and enjoys yoga, reading, movies, spending time with family and friends and football – especially Penn State

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Bio coming soon!  

Kate Hicks is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. This is Ms. Hicks 12th year working in a school setting and first year here at Severna Park High School.  She graduated from Frostburg State University with a B.A. in Psychology and received her Masters in Social Work from West Virginia University. Prior to working at Severna Park High School, she worked at The Phoenix Academy, as well as a non-public special needs school with children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, emotional disabilities, as well as various other learning disabilities, at the middle school and high school grade levels. When not working, Ms. Hicks enjoys spending time with family and friends. You will often see her on the sidelines watching her son play various sports. 

Mrs. Jackson, a former elementary teacher, is the School & Community Liaison with her primary focus in the College Career Center.  Having graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, she is a diehard Carolina Basketball fan.  She currently lives in Severna Park with her husband.  Her sons are former Falcons and USC Gamecock alum.  One lives in Arizona & one in D.C. so she is often visiting them.  When not at work, she is usually enjoying something outside or on the water with friends and family.  Her favorite place to "be" is Mayo Lake, NC.  She describes her position at SPHS as "the perfect job"!

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Mrs. Truffer has been an AACPS employee since 2004. She started working at Severna Park Middle School as an IEP Clerk; transitioned to the Assistant Principals’ Secretary in 2011 and became the Counseling Secretary at SPMS in 2019.  She started her new position as Counseling Secretary at Severna Park High School in February of 2022.  Mrs. Truffer is a Maryland native and a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. She met her husband Tom while at the University of Maryland (fun fact, Tom was a 1981 graduate of SPHS).   Mrs. Truffer’s two daughters, Alyssa and Rachel, are also former Falcon graduates, classes of 2009 and 2011 and both are teachers in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. 

Mrs. Truffer enjoys beach vacations and is an avid fan of the Terps, Ravens and Orioles.   She has 2 grandchildren, Cole and Abby, who she is enjoying spoiling. 

Mrs. Besche has worked for AACPS since 2009 and was a 2005 graduate of South River High School. She currently resides in Turkey Point, Edgewater with her husband Tyler, daughter Aley June and her 2 German Shorthaired Pointers-Rip and Crockett. In addition to working at Severna Park High School, she has sold real estate, was a certified diamontologist and gemologist and is a certified personal trainer & nutrition coach.  Mrs. Besche also is a co-owner of a boat detailing and shrink wrap company with her husband.  Her hobbies include weight lifting, boating, cooking, going to the beach (her happy place!), hanging with her family and friends and most of all, enjoying being a new mom!

Mr. Connolly is a Social Studies teacher by trade, but has served as SPHS’ School Testing Coordinator for the last 10 years! He has a Bachelor’s degree in Education from University of Maryland and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel University. Mr. Connolly lives in Pasadena with his son and daughter. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, all kinds of sports and music, and the occasional Netflix binge or video game session.