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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 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.
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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.
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