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 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 22nd year as a member of
the First School Staff. I am currently teaching the five day
Pre-K 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, celebrated their first year of
marriage. Michelle, who attended First School, graduated from UK
and is an Executive Marketing Assistant in Cincinnati. My
husband and I have been married for 36 years. I am looking
forward to another exciting year of teaching.
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 My
name is Kim DelGhingaro. I am joining First School this year as one
of the 2 1/2 year old teachers. I have a Bachelors degree from Miami
University. I enjoy reading, exercising (when I can fit it in),Miami
Redhawk hockey games, and entertaining friends and family at my
home. I am married and have three children ages 12, 10 & 8. All
three of my children attended First School as three and four year
olds and loved it! I am very excited to be 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. Right out of college I began my career
teaching 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-8th graders. 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 and I have been
tutoring in my home, volunteering as an academic tutor in the
Centerville Schools, and subbing at First School. My oldest
two children have been at First School for the last four years and
my youngest is starting his career this year in the 2 ½ room.
We have found a home here at First School and 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. 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!
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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 21 years. We have
4 daughters - Katie is a PE Teacher in Cincinnati, Erin is a second year
medical student at Wright State, Jill is working in a law firm in
Cincinnati & 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 1 year old daughter, Caroline, live near. Both are UD
graduates. He's a CPA in Dayton and she's an 8th. grade teacher in the
Loveland School District. Caroline's truly the love of my life! I
enjoy perenniel gardening, power walking, golf, reading, biking and
Caroline. 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.
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Hi.
I'm Jean Larson, and this is my third 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 31 years to Bill and have two daughters Erin, who is
24 and Emily who is a sophomore 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 three year old class this year.
This is my first year teaching at First School but I’ve been
around for quite a while. My three children also attended First
School. My oldest son just turned thirteen, my middle son is ten
and my daughter is five. 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 27 years, have been married to a native Daytonian
for 27 years and have three great daughters. My oldest daughter is 23
and lives in Brooklyn and is pursuing a career in the fashion design
industry. My middle daughter is 20 and is a junior at Dickinson College
in PA and is currently living in Buenos Aires for her fall semester. My
youngest is 14 and is a freshman 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. And 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 20 years as
the sensorimotor 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.
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