On this episode, Dave Schmidt sits down with Sergeant Jarmaine Smith from Fort Detrick, an Army medic, for a conversation about military service, following your passion and finding the right career path.

Jarmaine shares how growing up with two military parents helped inspire his own decision to serve. He initially joined the Army in artillery, but eventually stepped away, went to school and discovered that his real passion was caring for people and fellow soldiers. That calling ultimately brought him back to the Army and into military medicine.

He also talks about what he's learned from taking an unconventional path to his career and why finding the right job in the military can make such a difference.

Jarmaine offers some important advice for anyone preparing to walk into a military recruiting office: know what you want, ask questions and stick to the career path you're truly interested in pursuing.

It's a great conversation about family influence, second chances and finding a meaningful way to serve.

On this episode, Dave Schmidt sits down with Sergeant Jarmaine Smith from Fort Detrick, an Army medic, for a conversation about military service, following your passion and finding the right career path.
Jarmaine shares how growing up with two military parents helped inspire his own decision to serve. He initially joined the Army in artillery, but eventually stepped away, went to school and discovered that his real passion was caring for people and fellow soldiers. That calling ultimately brought him back to the Army and into military medicine.
He also talks about what he's learned from taking an unconventional path to his career and why finding the right job in the military can make such a difference.
Jarmaine offers some important advice for anyone preparing to walk into a military recruiting office: know what you want, ask questions and stick to the career path you're truly interested in pursuing.
It's a great conversation about family influence, second chances and finding a meaningful way to serve.

Hometown Heroes, presented by Overhead Door Co. of Frederick, takes you behind the scenes to get to know the men and women of Frederick County first responders.

Hometown Heroes, presented by Overhead Door Co. of Frederick, takes you behind the scenes to get to know the men and women of Frederick County first responders.

Hometown Heroes  presented by Overhead Door Co. of Frederick

Hometown Heroes  presented by Overhead Door Co. of Frederick takes you behind the scenes to get to know the men and women of Frederick County law enforcement.

Hometown Heroes  presented by Overhead Door Co. of Frederick takes you behind the scenes to get to know the men and women of Frederick County law enforcement.

Hometown Heroes presented by Overhead Door Co. of Frederick

Sergeant Jarmaine Smith, U.S. Army

On this episode, Bob Miller once again steps in for Dave Schmidt to sit down with Tracy Poquette, Principal of North Frederick Elementary School, to talk about her career in education, her journey through Frederick County Public Schools and her passion for helping students succeed.

Poquette has been part of Frederick County Public Schools since 2006, beginning her career as a fifth-grade teacher at Twin Ridge Elementary. She later became a math specialist at Spring Ridge Elementary before moving into school administration as an assistant principal at Whittier Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary.

In 2017, Poquette became Principal of Valley Elementary School, where she served until transferring to North Frederick Elementary in 2020. She talks with Bob about the experiences she's gained throughout her career and what she's learned from working with students, teachers and families at several Frederick County schools.

Poquette also discusses her educational background, including a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Frostburg State University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Hood College, and how those experiences helped prepare her for a career in school leadership.

It's a great conversation about the importance of elementary education, building strong school communities, supporting teachers and students, and the dedication it takes to lead a school and make a difference in the lives of young learners.

On this episode, Bob Miller once again steps in for Dave Schmidt to sit down with Tracy Poquette, Principal of North Frederick Elementary School, to talk about her career in education, her journey through Frederick County Public Schools and her passion for helping students succeed.
Poquette has been part of Frederick County Public Schools since 2006, beginning her career as a fifth-grade teacher at Twin Ridge Elementary. She later became a math specialist at Spring Ridge Elementary before moving into school administration as an assistant principal at Whittier Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary.
In 2017, Poquette became Principal of Valley Elementary School, where she served until transferring to North Frederick Elementary in 2020. She talks with Bob about the experiences she's gained throughout her career and what she's learned from working with students, teachers and families at several Frederick County schools.
Poquette also discusses her educational background, including a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Frostburg State University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Hood College, and how those experiences helped prepare her for a career in school leadership.
It's a great conversation about the importance of elementary education, building strong school communities, supporting teachers and students, and the dedication it takes to lead a school and make a difference in the lives of young learners.

Tracy Poquette, Principal of North Frederick Elementary

On this episode, Bob Miller steps in for Dave Schmidt to sit down with Dr. Kyler Leiter, a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Carroll Manor Elementary School and the 2026-27 recipient of the Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award.

The award is presented annually to recognize distinguished teaching in Frederick County Public Schools, and Dr. Leiter talks with Bob about what it means to receive the honor and his passion for working with some of FCPS’ youngest students.

Now in his fourth year teaching Pre-Kindergarten at Carroll Manor Elementary, Leiter previously taught kindergarten at the school and also served as a special education instructional assistant at Middletown Primary School.

He also shares the story of how he learned he'd won the award, when FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson, Carroll Manor Elementary Principal Kimberly Robertson and other school system leaders surprised him with the news.

It's a great conversation about early childhood education, connecting with young students, the teachers who make a difference every day and what it means to be recognized for doing something you love.

On this episode, Bob Miller steps in for Dave Schmidt to sit down with Dr. Kyler Leiter, a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Carroll Manor Elementary School and the 2026-27 recipient of the Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award.
The award is presented annually to recognize distinguished teaching in Frederick County Public Schools, and Dr. Leiter talks with Bob about what it means to receive the honor and his passion for working with some of FCPS&rsquo; youngest students.
Now in his fourth year teaching Pre-Kindergarten at Carroll Manor Elementary, Leiter previously taught kindergarten at the school and also served as a special education instructional assistant at Middletown Primary School.
He also shares the story of how he learned he'd won the award, when FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson, Carroll Manor Elementary Principal Kimberly Robertson and other school system leaders surprised him with the news.
It's a great conversation about early childhood education, connecting with young students, the teachers who make a difference every day and what it means to be recognized for doing something you love.

Dr. Kyler Leiter, FCPS Pre-K Teacher at Carroll Manor Elementary

On this episode, Dave Schmidt is back and sits down with a Senior Officer from the Brunswick Police Department to talk about his career in public safety and the path that eventually led him to serving the Brunswick community.

His career actually began as an emergency dispatcher in Frederick County. At the time, there weren't any openings for police officers, but he knew law enforcement was where he wanted to be and saw dispatching as an opportunity to get his foot in the door and begin serving the community.

He talks with Dave about making the transition from dispatch to becoming a police officer, the experiences he's gained throughout his career, and what he's learned along the way.

Now with the Brunswick Police Department, he shares why he's happy to be part of a smaller, close-knit community and what he enjoys about helping keep Brunswick a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

It's a great conversation about getting started in public safety, building a career in law enforcement and finding the right community to serve.

On this episode, Dave Schmidt is back and sits down with a Senior Officer from the Brunswick Police Department to talk about his career in public safety and the path that eventually led him to serving the Brunswick community.
His career actually began as an emergency dispatcher in Frederick County. At the time, there weren't any openings for police officers, but he knew law enforcement was where he wanted to be and saw dispatching as an opportunity to get his foot in the door and begin serving the community.
He talks with Dave about making the transition from dispatch to becoming a police officer, the experiences he's gained throughout his career, and what he's learned along the way.
Now with the Brunswick Police Department, he shares why he's happy to be part of a smaller, close-knit community and what he enjoys about helping keep Brunswick a safe place to live, work and raise a family.
It's a great conversation about getting started in public safety, building a career in law enforcement and finding the right community to serve.

Sergeant Jarmaine Smith, U.S. Army

Hometown Heroes presented by Overhead Door Co. of Frederick

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Hometown Heroes presented by Overhead Door Co. of Frederick

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