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OUR STAFF - School Year 2010 - 2011

 

My name is Melissa Barton and this is my 4th year at First School.  I am assisting in the Kindergarten classroom, and teaching the Lunch Bunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  My husband Jim and I live in Centerville with our two children.  Jimmy is in the 7th grade at Magsig and Jessica is in the 5th grade at Weller.  Both of my children attended First School.  We are active in our church and busy with our kid's sports.  I have several hobbies and really enjoy spending time with my family and friends playing games or just hanging out.

 

My name is Barbara Columbus. This is my 23rd year as a member of the First School Staff. I am currently teaching the Kindergarten class. I received my BA degree in Elementary Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College and completed graduate classes at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh in science, math, and reading. I am active in my church as Sunday School Superintendent and a member of the Children's Ministry Team. I love reading, gardening, working out, and traveling. I have three grown children. Stephen, has a Masters in Business from the University of Phoenix and works in the family business. Kathleen has an MBA from the University of Kentucky and works as a Marketing Director in Indianapolis. She and her husband, Justin, welcomed their son Noah on June 4th of this year. Michelle, who attended First School, graduated from UK and is an Executive Marketing Assistant in Cincinnati. I am looking forward to another exciting year of teaching.

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My name is Kim DelGhingaro. Many of you will soon recognize my face as I will be wearing many hats at First School this year. I am teaching a 2 1/2 year old class on Tuesday and Thursday and Lunch Bunch Monday through Friday. I am also an assistant for the 3 and 4 year old classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.  I have a Bachelors degree from Miami University. My family and I return there quite often to attend hockey games. We're huge fans! I also enjoy reading, biking and entertaining friends and family at home. I am married and have three children ages 13, 11 and 9. All three of my children attended First School as three and four year olds and loved it. I am very excited to be a part of such a dedicated group of people who are committed to enriching children's lives. I look forward to watching your children grow and discover all the things that they can do!

My name is Meredith Florkey. I am proud to be the leader of this group of fabulous educators. My role as Director of Curriculum allows me to observe and impact what is happening in each classroom. There is an amazing amount of exploration and learning going on by the students AND the staff each day. We learn from each other and form a community where anything is possible. I especially love teaching three-year-olds! It is a magical time where learning is play and every day is different and rewarding. My teaching career began in social studies with at-risk students in Burnsville, Minnesota. I then followed my husband, John, to Columbus, Ohio where I taught Environmental Science and English as a Second Language with K-9th graders. I am excited to bring ESL instruction to First School this fall. Even at the preschool level, extra language practice with native speakers can make a huge difference in acquiring a second language. Next, we moved to upstate New York where we had our first baby while I obtained my Master's degree, taught pre-school story times at the local library, and subbed in ESL. Since we moved back to Ohio I have been tutoring in my home, volunteering as an academic tutor in the Centerville Schools, and teaching at First School. My oldest two children attended First School for four years and my youngest is currently a student. We have found a home here at First School and I look forward to sharing it with you and your child this year!

 

 Hi, I’m Amy Hart and I’ll be working as an Aide at First School this year on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. This is my third year at First School as a Teacher's Aide and I just love it. I’m a Mom of Twin boys that are starting middle school this year.  In between running the boys to their Scout meetings and various other sports activities, I have another part-time job.  In my life before kids I was Director of an IT organization in Washington DC., but transferred to Dayton in 1995, where I met my husband, got married, had the Twins and decided to retire from the Corporate World.  In my spare time (is there any?) I like to cook, play golf, watch sports and head to the East coast to visit family and go to the beach whenever I can.  I feel fortunate to be part of the First School family and find so much joy in watching our young students grow and learn each year!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, my name is Lindsey Weed. I will be working as an office assistant and substitute this school year. I have a BS in Recreational Therapy and a MA in Recreation Administration from the University of Toledo, where I also played soccer. I have a wonderful husband who is a Captain and Ranger currently serving in Afghanistan in the US Army. In my free time, I enjoy running marathons, triathlons and hiking with my dog Kirra. My mom is Mrs. Zembower the fun room teacher. I am excited to work at the school where I went 23 years ago.

 

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My name is Ann Merrill, and I am beginning my 21st year at First School and my 24th year in early childhood education. I will be teaching the older four year olds. In addition, I will be coordinating the science room this year. I hold a Masters Degree in Education from Indiana University and a degree in Sociology from Wright State. Both of my children are graduates of First School, as well as The Ohio State University. My son, Griffin, is 26 and a Ranger and Captain in the United State Army. Hannah, my 24-year old daughter, is Coordinator for Special Events at OSU. I am the proud grandmother of Ryan, almost two-year son to Griffin and his wife, Melissa. My husband, Greg, is Director of Water Services for Montgomery County. We have been married for 33 years this December. In addition to teaching, I am a volunteer with Five Rivers MetroParks, SunWatch Indian Village, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, and Edward Lee McClain High School. Teaching dancing is a passion of mine, as is gardening and spending every spare minute outside!! I look forward to a great year with your children.

 

I'm Pat Forster. My husband & I have lived in Centerville 22 years. We have 4 daughters - Katie is a PE Teacher in Cincinnati, Erin is a third year medical student at Wright State, Jill is in grad school at NYU & Jenny is a senior  at the University of Arizona. I have had the pleasure of working at First School for 7 years, teaching 3 & 4 year olds. I'm excited to be teaching a Tuesday/Thursday 3 year old class this year.

 

 

Hi.  I'm Lori Hackathorne and I will be working as an aide on M,W,W mornings.  I've been married to my husband Bill for 16 years and we have 1 daughter, Kaley, who previously attended First School and is now starting 5th grade at Bauer Elementary.  I am looking forward to a fun and exciting first year at First School!

 


Hi, I'm Jo Hinker, one of First School's teaching assistants. This year brings me to my 10th. year at First School.  I'm married 35 years to Neal who's with PNC.  Our oldest son Jon, an OSU grad, lives in Dublin and works there too for BMW.  He and his beagle, Remy, bring alot of life to our home when they visit!  Our younger son Patrick, his wife Molly and 2 year old daughter and new baby son, live near. Both are UD graduates.  He's a CPA in Dayton and she's an 8th. grade teacher in the Loveland School District.  My grandchildren are truly the love of my life!  I enjoy perennial gardening, power walking, golf, reading, biking and my grandchildren.  A very important part of my life is spent volunteering for my church and on local hunger and homelessness tasks.  Glad to be at First School for another exciting year!

 

 

Hi I'm Tracey Kershner and I will be teaching 4-year-olds M-F mornings and MWF Lunch Bunch. I have loved working with young children for years, beginning way back in High School. I decided to make teaching my career and received a BS in Education from Ohio University. Before coming to First School, I taught for 5 years at Miami University Middletown's Lab School/Daycare and then taught for 2 years for Head Start in Dayton. I am married to Jeff, who works for DP&L, keeping their computers up and running. We have 2 children. Jake is a Freshman at University of Toledo and Erin is Sophomore at Miamisburg and is into singing and drama.(Lots of drama!) In my spare time I read voraciously, do a little gardening and do arts and crafts projects. We are animal people in my family and are currently sharing our home with a couple of lap dogs named Willie and Rickie, (who weigh 60 and 70 lbs, respectively), 2 cats named Pixel and Sammie, and a rabbit named Rory.

Hi.   I'm Jean Larson, and this is my 4th year as an assistant at First School. My husband, Michael, and I have three sons and a crazy dog. I love kids and people and always find them interesting. To relax, I love to read, scrapbook, exercise and watch the CUBS.

 

I'm Lois Shaw. I am the teacher for the 2 1/2, 3 year olds classes. I have an associates degree in Early Childhood Education. I love working with the children and really love my job. I have been married for 32 years to Bill and have two daughters Erin, who is 25 and Emily who is a junior at Morehead State University. Both are alumni of First School. We enjoy traveling and lived in Düsseldorf, Germany for 3 years. I also enjoy looking for Antiques and decorating my house in my "spare time".

 

My name is Doris Ventolini. I am Swiss but I grew up and received my education in Italy.  Also, I had great experiences living in South America for several years.
Through all my abroad living, I had the opportunity to compare different cultures and keep the best of each one to apply to my lifestyle.  I enjoy teaching  Spanish a few days a week. My goal is to enrich children's life and education while learning a foreign language. In addition, I am a translator and interpreter in the ATA Italian and Spanish Division (ATA member).

My husband is a physician and I have two daughters Barbara and Tania. Barbara has a degree in Criminal Justice and currently pursuing a Master. Tania graduated with an Advertising and International  Business degree.They both are working in Miami, Florida and enhancing their career with experience and more studies.

All my family and relatives live in Europe and I try to visit them as often as possible.
It is an honor for me to work with First School and instill the love for foreign languages into our future generation.

 

 

Hello, My name is Julie Wright and I am a graduate of Miami University in Oxford. I will be teaching a four year old class this year. My three children also attended First School. My oldest son just turned 14, my middle son is 11 and my daughter is six. I’ve enjoyed volunteering at the school throughout their years here and now I’m so excited to have a class of my own. It’s a special school and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. I will also mention that my wonderful husband happens to also be a graduate of First School. We have been married for 17 years. We love to travel and especially enjoy going out west. I love to read and also enjoy scrapbooking when I get the time. I enjoy a good cup of coffee, walking my chocolate lab and spending time with my family. I teach a children’s class at our church and I have been part of a puppet team doing programs every week for 1-3rd grade children for the past 8 years. Thank you for letting me be a part of this special time in your child’s life. I’m looking forward to a great year.

 

 

Hi, my name is Stacey Yarger and I am the Admissions and Public Relations Director at First School. I have a B.A. from Northwestern University in Architectural History and am originally from the Chicago area. I have lived in Dayton for 28 years, have been married to a native Daytonian for 28 years and have three great daughters. My oldest daughter is 24 and lives in Brooklyn and is pursuing a career in the fashion design industry. My middle daughter is 21 and is a senior at Dickinson College in PA. My youngest is 15 and is a sophomore at the Miami Valley School. I have been a longtime volunteer in the Dayton area for many organizations: The Junior League of Dayton, the Dayton Ballet, Buckeye Trails Girl Scouts, Dayton Art Institute and am currently serving as the President of the Women’s Board at Dayton Children’s Medical Center. My current position at First School is one of the most enjoyable opportunities I have every experienced. It is a wonderful school!

 

My name is Linda Zembower. I have worked at First School for 21 years as the sensorimotor teacher and recently the music teacher. I have studied early childhood education. I really enjoy holidays and special days at First School. You’ll see me wear funny hats on special occasions. I am a big Ohio State fan. I also work as a caregiver to senior citizens. I have two children. Lindsey who is a recreational therapist is married to Tim Weed, an Army Ranger. My son Brian is studying to become an optometrist at Capital University where he also plays soccer. I enjoy working out and cycling with my husband Andy.