At the end of the 2024-2025 school year, Biology teacher Mark Sunkel retired, having taught at Linganore High School (LHS) for 42 years. With the absence of the long-time teacher, LHS needed someone new to fill his shoes. Nicholas Snyder had more than enough experience to take on the role. 

Snyder studied at Clarion University in Northwestern Pennsylvania, where he acquired a major in secondary education, focusing on biology. After graduating from college, he stepped foot into his first job as a teacher; Snyder worked at Governor Thomas Johnson High School (TJ) in Frederick County for 20 years. Prior to joining LHS, after he taught at TJ Middle School for three years. 

“After 20 years at TJ, I think I needed a change of environment,” Snyder said. “I’ve always heard great things about Linganore, so it seemed like a place I could do well at.” 

Although he joined LHS as a Biology teacher, Snyder has experience teaching AP Environmental Science, Physics, and Anatomy and Physiology. Of the various science classes, Biology has always been his favorite.

Snyder said that he wanted to become a teacher after having “frustrating” experiences with his own high school biology teacher. He stated he works to make biology relevant for students, hoping that it will be easier to understand. 

“It made me frustrated that kids had to have a teacher who was not very good,” Snyder said. “I wanted to go into education to do what I could to make it better for students.” 

While adjusting to a new school can be difficult for students or staff, Snyder reports to be adjusting well. 

“Everyone’s been great so far,” said Snyder. “It’s definitely refreshing.”

The new addition to the Science Department has a big role to fill, with Sunkel’s retirement.However, he feels that if anyone can do it, it is him.

“Knowing what the students are going to take next lets me prepare them better.”