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OUR STAFF - School Year 2007 - 2008

 

My name is Barbara Columbus.  This is my 20th year as a member of the First School Staff. For the last ten years I have been teaching either pre-K or Kindergarten.  I received my BA degree in Elementary Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College and completed elementary education graduate courses at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh in science, math, and reading.  I have also been active since 1984 as a Sunday School Teacher and most recently as leader of our Church’s Children’s Ministry.

 

I have been married for 34 years and have three children – Stephen, Kathleen and Michelle. All three are college graduates and working on their respective careers. My husband and I are involved this year in planning a wedding for our younger daughter, a First School graduate, next June. I am looking forward to another exciting year of teaching.

 

 

 

My name is Ann Merrill, and I am beginning my 19th year at First School and my 22nd year in early childhood education. I will be teaching the older four year olds. I hold a Masters Degree in Education from Indiana University. Both of my children are First School Graduates. Griffin, 25, is a Ranger, 1st Lt, in the United States Army soon to deploy to Iraq and a graduate of OSU. Hannah, 22, is a senior at OSU. My husband, Greg, an engineer with Montgomery County, and I have been married for 30 years. As a certified Master Naturalist and Master Gardener, I love spending time outside in my spare time. I teach dancing at TOPS and volunteer with Five Rivers MetroParks, SunWatch Indian Village, and Alter High School.

 

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I'm Lois Shaw. I am the teacher for the 2 1/2, 3 year olds and Lunch Bunch 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 30 years to Bill and have two daughters Erin, who is 22 and Emily who is a senior Alter High 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".

 

Hi,  My name is Patty Arnett.   I have been at First School for 10 years.  I take care of admissions, billing, and any other situations that arise!  I have been married to my husband, Dave, for 22 years.  We have a 16 year old daughter, Kelsey.  I enjoy traveling, reading, and chocolates!  Please fell free to contact me during office hours if you have any questions or concerns.

 

 


Caryl Oscar

I'm Pat Forster. 

My husband Rick and I have lived in Centerville for 18 years.  We have 4 daughters Katie is a senior at Miami University, Erin is a sophomore at the University of Georgia, Jill is a freshman at Northwestern University and Jenny is a senior at Centerville High School.  This is my 4th year at First School and I am really enjoying working with my 4 year old class!

 

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Hi, my name is Cheri Washburn.

I received my Elementary Education Degree from the University of Florida and added my Kindergarten Degree from Wright State University. 

  My husband, Pete is a Pilot for ABX Air.  My daughter Cyrissa is married to David.   Cyrissa teaches Art at Cline elementary school.  My son, Ryan graduated from The Ohio State University.

 

 


Hello, I'm Jo Hinker one of first school's teaching assistants.  The '07-'08 year is my 8th year at First School.  I've been married 33 years to Neal and I am mom to Jon, an OSU graduate who lives in Dublin OH and works for BMW and also to Patrick, who's newly married to Molly.  Both are UD grads, he in accounting, currently finishing his CPA requirements and  Molly a 7th grade teacher who received her masters in education in May 2007.  I spend my free time golfing, power-walking, reading, biking and perennial gardening. A very important part of my life is spent volunteering for my church and on local hunger and homelessness tasks.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Hi, I’m Amy Hart and I’ll be working as an Aide at First School this year on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s.  I worked as a sub last year and just loved seeing the little one’s grow and learn so I’m happy to be back.  I’m a Mom of Twin boys that are in the 3rd grade and serving as the PTO President at their school.  In between running the boys to their Cub 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 hubby, 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 look forward to a great year!

My name is Marsha Goldberg.  I am beginning my 24th year at First School.  I am the Director of First School and I have taught kindergarten classes for the last 21 years.  I have both a B.S. and an M.A. in education.

  I have two children, Ilissa and Scott, both of whom attended First School.  Ilissa graduated from The Ohio State University and NYU, is married to Danny and lives in Chicago with their one year old daughter Julia.  Scott also graduated from The Ohio State University and is living and working in Columbus. for Huntington Bank.  I also have a husband, Stephen and a dog, Daisy.

 

My name is Sharon Patsy. I teach 4 year olds on MWF A.M. and TTh A.M. I have been a staff member of First School since 1988. I received my B.S. in Education from the University of Akron. I taught in the public schools in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio for 6 1/2 years. I moved to the Dayton area in 1984. I have two grown children who went through the Centerville City School System. My son, Shaun, is an attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio. My daughter, Meghan, is a cosmetologist in Lexington, Kentucky. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and doing anything in the area of art!
 

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Hi!  I'm Patty Weber and I teach the three's and young fours.  I have been a teacher at First School for the last 27 years!  I live in Centerville with my husband Mark, an engineer.  My daughter Kim is a First School alumni.  She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising.  She is engaged to be married next August and we are excitedly planning her wedding.  My first love is teaching and being with young children.  I also love gardening, crafts, and relaxing on the beach when possible.

 

 

My name is Linda Zembower.  I have worked at First School for 15 years.  I really enjoy holidays and special days at First School.  I have 3 children, Lindsey (21) and Brian (18).  They are both soccer players, one at Toledo University and the other at Centerville High School.   I enjoy working out and watching them play

 

 

My name is Melissa Barton and this is my 2nd year at First School.  I am assisting in the Kindergarten classroom.  My husband Jim and I live in Centerville with our two children.  Jimmy is in the 5th grade and Jessica is in the third grade at Weller. Both of my children attended First School.  We are active in our church where I am the Children's Ministry Director.  I have several hobbies, and I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

 

 

Jean Larson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ken Hacker
Bus Driver

 

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Last Update - 08/26/2007