Teacher Bios. Literacy Specialists. Kindergarten. Calle Richardson

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1 Teacher Bios Literacy Specialists Calle Richardson Calle Joyce Richardson is the mother of six children and the grandmother of six grandchildren. She is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana but has also lived in North Carolina and Washington D.C. Calle began her college education at the age of 41, she attended and has received degrees from the University of Indianapolis and Martin University. Having taught in several Indianapolis school districts over the past ten years, Calle has been afforded the opportunity to work as a Literacy Specialist at Tindley Summit and looks forward to making an impact on students and the community at large. Ms. Richardson has been blessed in the role of acting pastor for New Life Campus Ministries located on the campus of IU Bloomington. She is excited about her new career with Tindley and has plans to acquire a Master s degree in the area of Children s Literacy. Diana (Deke) Holt Mrs. Deke Holt graduated from Purdue University in Elementary Education. She has taught lower and upper elementary grades at Aldine School District in Houston, TX and at Mill Creek Schools in Hendricks County. Currently the Literacy Specialist for Kindergarten and first grades at Tindley Summit. Deke believes that learning should be a lifelong event. She is committed to the children and making sure they are provided with a rich learning experience. Kindergarten Bridgett Nelson Bridgett Nelson is a fifth year kindergarten teacher that loves and serves her profession with a passion. Bridgett is an Indianapolis native that graduated from the University of Southern 1

2 Indiana with a major in elementary education. She taught kindergarten at a charter school in Evansville for two years then moved back to Indianapolis to teach kindergarten at a public school for two years. In that year she has annually brought in the highest reading scores and is determined to do the same for the remainder of her teaching career. Bridgett prides herself on the lasting relationships she has made with her scholars and their families over the years and looks forward to forging more relationships with every single scholar she has the pleasure of encountering!. Kim Ballin Kim Ballin is dedicated to instilling a love for lifelong learning in scholars as they excel through holistic curriculum and instruction. Kim has demonstrated the ability to pursue excellence personally by being the first in her family to graduate from college with a four-year degree. She was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. In 2008, she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Organizational Management from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana. In 2014, she obtained her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Human Resource Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. Kim has previously pursued her professional career in banking at Old National Bank from as a Personal Banker and Consumer Lender. In addition, she is Suicide Prevention and CPR Certified. Kim is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Teaching at Marian University. Her genuine kindness and authentic approach to life allow her to be a vital asset to the Tindley Summit team. Kyle Talma Mr. Kyle Talma has a deep passion for working with children and helping them to achieve more than they originally thought possible. Both through academic enhancement and character development, he sees tremendous potential for growth in all children. Mr. Talma went to college at the University of Wisconsin Madison and graduated with distinction, receiving a double major and a certificate in December of He has spent a great deal of time at the Boys and Girls Club, where he worked as a Program Staff for three summers. He returned to the Club after graduation and led a teen involvement program that emphasized community engagement and academic success. Mr. Talma continued to show his passion for empowering children by spending time at a Boys and Girls Club in Madison as a mentor and a tutor. He is incredibly excited to continue his work in a new capacity as a Kindergarten teacher in the Indianapolis community. First Grade Melissa Cellini Melissa Cellini is a brand new 1 st grade teacher at Tindley Summit Elementary. Miss Cellini is originally from California, but has lived in the Midwest since she was a child. Prior to high school, she was a resident of Illinois but then moved to northwest Indiana where she attended 2

3 Hanover Central. Throughout her junior and senior year of high school, she studied and took college credit child development courses though Ivy Tech and graduated with an academic honors diploma. Her continual interest in helping young children led her to enroll in Purdue University and major in Elementary Education. At Purdue, she worked part time as a YMCA counselor for one year and physics library student associate for three years while obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree. She recently graduated from Purdue University and accepted a 1 st grade position at Tindley s newest elementary school. She is now a proud member of the Indianapolis community and look forward to working with these young scholars in the Purdue University cohort at Tindley Summit. Boiler Up! Kandiss Carroll Kandiss is a proud graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington Class of 2013! She is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Teaching from Marian University. While earning her undergraduate degree at IU, she was involved in many organizations. Kandiss is most proud of her impact on the lives of the youth of Bloomington, IN through the Girl Scouts program. Her experience as a Girl Scouts troop leader has set the platform for what she is determined to do for her scholars at TSA. Prior to college, Kandiss grew up here in Indianapolis where she attended Warren Township schools for k-12 and graduated from Warren Central with the class of Kandiss is truly excited to teach in the community that she has known her whole life. Rebah Seidler Rebah Seidler is a dedicated elementary educator serving in the role of First grade teacher at Tindley Summit Academy. Ms. Seidler grew up in Chicago, IL and went to high school in Northwest Indiana-graduating from Hebron High School. Her hard work in high school academics and extracurriculars awarded her with a very large scholarship to Olivet Nazarene University located in Kankakee, IL. After graduating, Ms. Seidler worked in the VP s office at her alma mater before moving to Danville, OH to be an outdoor educator and program instructor for Nature s Classroom. She moved to Indianapolis when she was accepted into a nonprofit organization called Teach for America. She is a current member of that organization as she is a part of the Tindley family. Ms. Seidler loves to hike, camp, kayak, and garden in her spare time. She also spends a lot of time watching Star Trek and playing sports such as basketball and volleyball. Second Grade Tanesha Barnett Tanesha Barnett is currently teaching second grade at Tindley Summit Academy in Indianapolis. Prior to relocating to Indianapolis, she grew up in a southwest suburb of Chicago and received her Bachelor s Degrees in English and Political Science from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Tanesha is currently enrolled at Marian University pursing a Masters of 3

4 Arts in Teaching. Before joining the Tindley family, Tanesha worked with social justice programs involving voting rights and registration; minority enrollment and retention in college; educational equity; and safe housing and communities. These experiences allowed her to develop a passion for working in an educational capacity. Her strong belief that civil rights equity begins with access to a high quality education pushes her to work in the best interest of scholars. At Tindley, Tanesha wants to inspire a love of learning and build resilience in her scholars. Outside of Summit, Tanesha is a diehard Michigan Wolverine, avid reader, and spends time with a close network of family and friends that keep her grounded. Iran Daniels Iran Daniels is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana and is currently a Doctorate of Education candidate of Oakland City University s Educational Leadership and Administration program. His dissertation research study is focused on diversifying Indiana s teaching workforce and the need to recruit more African American males into the education profession through role modeling and mentoring programs. Iran Daniels holds a Master s of Science degree in Community Psychology from Martin University and a Bachelor s of Arts degree in Communication and English from Purdue University, and a graduate of Broad Ripple High School. He is also a licensed secondary educator and has worked in the MSD Warren Township Schools, MSD Lawrence Township Schools, Indianapolis Public Schools, and has served as an Adjunct faculty member at Fortis College teaching General Education and Psychology courses. Iran has 13 years of experience working in educational settings with Indianapolis inner-city youth as a teacher and counselor in organizations ranging from the Wheeler s Boys and Girls Club to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a husband, father, and a life-long learner. Iran Daniels is a dedicated educator and seeks to become a leader in schools to inspire students to reach their full academic potential. Karen Bales Karen Bales was raised in New Mexico where is attended Elementary, Middle and High School. After completing HS she moved to Muncie, Indiana where she started working towards her degree in Elementary Education. Before graduating, she moved to Indianapolis, Indiana were she finished her Degree and obtained her IN Teachers License. Shortly after graduation, Mrs. Bales moved back to New Mexico where she earned her NM Teachers License as well as her TESOL Endorsement. Mrs. Bales taught in New Mexico from She has had the honor of teaching 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th grades. Mrs. Bales moved back to Indiana last June and is excited to back in this INCREDIBLE state. Last year she taught 3 rd grade at another Charter school. This year she will be teaching 2 nd Grade at Tindley Summit Academy. #werunit 4

5 Mrs. Bales lives with her husband, two children, a 12 year old daughter and 7 year old son, and a cat. Third Grade Jennifer Wolf Ms. Jennifer Wolf is a Third Grade teacher at Tindley Summit. This is Ms. Wolf s 5th year teaching, and third year in 3rd grade. Jennifer is a graduate of Purdue University, she is a Purdue football and basketball fan and can be found at many fall games. Ms. Wolf is a mother of three children. A daughter who will be a senior this year and swims, a son who is a freshman and plays basketball for his high school, and an 12 year old daughter who is a competitive gymnast. Needless to say their lives are fun filled with sports of all kinds. She also has a chocolate lab that is part of the family. Jennifer also loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking and running. Ms. Wolf is excited to welcome your student to Third Grade. Specialists Kimberly Kenny- Art and Music Kimberly Kenny can t remember a time when she wasn t either singing or playing the piano. She began singing in her father s church as a young child. At an early age her parents knew she was uniquely talented and invested in musical ability. Growing up in such a nurturing, encouraging and freely creative environment fueled her thirst for music knowledge. Kimberly s musical gifts have taken her across the nation. One of the highlights of her vocal career was performing at the World Famous Showtime at the Apollo theatre in Harlem, New York. She has earned and competed in several competitions, including, N.A.T.S (National Association for Teachers of Singing) where she placed 1 st in the state of Indiana and 3 rd in the Country for Classical singing. What sets her apart is not just her unique blend of Gospel, Opera and Jazz, but that she also writes and composes her own music as well. Kimberly has completed two gospel CD projects, In Your Presence released in 2006 and "More Than a Conqueror" released in She has a passion for education. Kimberly has a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Marian University and is currently pursuing her Master's in Education at Marian University as well. She considers music education a great passion of hers, and enjoys empowering students through an education in the arts. Outside of the classroom, Kimberly enjoys being a mom as well as spending time with her family and close friends! 5