About Us

Mrs. Katie Carter is proud to serve as the principal of Running Brook Elementary School. With 22 years of experience in education, she is passionate about building strong relationships with students, families, and staff while creating a school community where every child can learn and grow.

Mrs. Carter began her teaching career in Loudoun County, Virginia, before joining the Howard County Public School System. Throughout her career in Howard County, she has served in a variety of roles, including fifth grade teacher and Instructional Team Leader at Stevens Forest Elementary School, Elementary Mathematics Support Teacher at Atholton, Gorman Crossing, Hammond, and Pointers Run Elementary Schools, Assistant Principal at Veterans Elementary School and Stevens Forest Elementary School, and most recently, Principal of Stevens Forest Elementary School.

Mrs. Carter and her husband, who is also an HCPSS educator, have two sons, Jameson (15) and Cameron (12). Outside of school, she enjoys cheering on her boys at their many sporting events, exploring local hiking trails, and spending quality time together during family movie nights.

Mrs. Carter is excited to partner with the students, families, staff, and community of Running Brook Elementary. She believes that strong home-school partnerships are the foundation of student success and welcomes opportunities to connect with families. Whether you have a question, a concern, or simply want to say hello, please don't hesitate to stop by the office, give her a call, or send an email. She looks forward to getting to know you and working together to make Running Brook an exceptional place for every child to learn and grow.

Mr. Dale Allen is proud to continue serving the Running Brook Elementary School community as Assistant Principal. After spending the past year at Running Brook, he has enjoyed building strong relationships with students, staff, and families and is excited to continue supporting the school’s mission and success.

Mr. Allen has been an educator for the past seven years, serving students and families at Fulton Elementary School, Clemens Crossing Elementary School, Longfellow Elementary School, and now Running Brook Elementary School. Throughout his career, he has been passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Mr. Allen earned his undergraduate degree from Salisbury University and his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Loyola University Maryland. He believes that strong relationships, collaboration, and high expectations are the foundation for student success.

As Assistant Principal, Mr. Allen is committed to partnering with students, staff, families, and the broader community to ensure that Running Brook remains a place where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. He looks forward to another outstanding year of learning, growth, and achievement at Running Brook Elementary School.

Mrs. Jaime Gittleson is honored to serve as an Assistant Principal at Running Brook Elementary. Entering her 23rd year in education, she is passionate about building strong relationships with students, staff, and families while fostering a positive school culture that supports academic excellence and the growth of every child.

Mrs. Gittleson earned a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland and holds master's degrees in Communications from Johns Hopkins University and Reading from Towson University. She also earned her Administration and Supervision Certification from McDaniel College.

Her career in education began in Montgomery County, where she taught first grade and served as a preschool director. Since joining Howard County Public Schools, she has held a variety of leadership and instructional roles, including first-grade teacher, instructional team leader, Title I interventionist, reading specialist, and Reading Support Teacher at Laurel Woods and Longfellow Elementary Schools. She later served as a Leadership Intern at Veterans Elementary School before becoming Assistant Principal at Clemens Crossing Elementary School, where she served for the past four and a half years.

Mrs. Gittleson is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Guided by her experiences as a student, educator, and leader in Howard County, she believes that collaboration among students, staff, and families is key to helping all children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.