John Sheffield, Director Mr. Sheffield is the Director of Elmwood Village Charter School. He is a highly accomplished and experienced educational leader who has served in the field of education for over 30 years. He has worked with children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade as a classroom teacher, school counselor, and school administrator. He has also been a member of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Education at D Youville College. Before his appointment as Director of EVCS in 2006, Mr. Sheffield held positions as Assistant Director at South Buffalo Charter School and Principal of Our Lady of Sacred Heart Elementary School. In 2001, Mr. Sheffield developed and implemented an academic improvement plan that was adopted as a framework for other elementary and middle schools in the area. Mr. Sheffield has had several professional articles published in high-profile national magazines, and was recognized in 2002 for his contributions to the field of educational leadership by the Western New York Leadership Academy. Mr. Sheffield was the first non-public school administrator to receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Academy to engage in further research in the field of educational leadership. In 2012, Mr. Sheffield was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus for his contributions to the field of education by Niagara University. Mr. Sheffield earned a Master of Arts degree from St. Bonaventure University, a Master of Science in Education degree from Niagara University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wadhams Hall College. Mr. Sheffield holds active certifications in School District Administration, School Administration and Supervision, and Pupil Personnel Services. Mr. Sheffield is a long-time resident of the Westside of Buffalo, where he currently resides with his family. jsheffield@elmwoodvillageschool.org. Anne Wechsler, Academic Program Coordinator Ms. Wechsler holds a Master of Arts degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. She is the Academic Program Coordinator and one of the Founders of the Elmwood Village Charter School. Ms. Wechsler is certified in elementary education from kindergarten through grade six. She has worked in charter school development and served as a teacher in charter schools in Brooklyn, Boston, and Buffalo. awechsler@elmwoodvillageschool.org. Anne Landrigan, Student Services Coordinator Mrs. Landrigan holds a Master of Science in Education degree from SUNY College at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Science degree from Gannon University. She is certified in both elementary and special education. Mrs. Landrigan came to EVCS in 2006 with thirteen years of experience as a classroom teacher, resource teacher, consultant teacher, early intervention specialist, and coordinator of special education programs. alandrigan@elmwoodvillageschool.org. Liz Evans, Operations Manager Ms. Evans holds a Bachelor s and a Master s degree from the University of Buffalo. She is a Founder and parent of a graduate of Elmwood Village Charter School. Ms. Evans served on the EVCS Board of Trustees for six years, five of them as Chair. Ms. Evans has extensive experience in higher education and in the non-profit sector. levans@elmwoodvillageschool.org. Lea Gladysz, Office Manager/Admissions Coordinator Ms. Gladysz held a position as an office manager and accounts specialist in a medical office prior to coming to EVCS in 2006. lgladys@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Dana Fauth, School Nurse and Instructional Technology Coordinator Ms. Fauth is a Registered Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Ohio Wesleyan University. Prior to coming to EVCS in 2006, she spent more than 12 years working in the health care information technology field. dfauth@elmwoodvillageschool.org. Kimberly O Connor, Office Assistant and Transportation Coordinator Ms. O Connor came to EVCS in 2013 with a long history of serving as a transportation coordinator at two other local charter schools. Ms. O Connor holds an Associate of Arts degree from Niagara Community College. koconnor@elmwoodvillageschool.org. Alphabetical Listing of Staff Lauren Atherton Second Grade (2b) Teaching Assistant B.A. from St. Bonaventure University M.S. Ed. from St. Bonaventure University School Counseling Grade Kindergarten through Twelve latherton@elmwoodvillageschool.org Melissa Bak Title I Reading Teacher B.S. from Niagara University M.S. from Niagara University Literacy Grades Kindergarten through Sixth Elementary Education Grades Pre-K through Sixth Started at EVCS: 2008 mbak@elmwoodvillageschool.org Laura Battaglia ESL Teacher B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo M. Ed. from Canisius College TESOL Grades Kindergarten through Twelve Social Studies Grades Seven through Twelve lbattaglia@elmwoodvillageschool.org Christina Brown Music Teacher B.A. from Cedar Crest College cbrown@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Shannon Burke-Krukowski Middle School English Language Arts Teacher and Sixth Grade Class Advisor B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo M. Ed. from SUNY at Buffalo English Education for Grades Seven through Twelve Stated at EVCS: 2012 skrukowski@elmwoodvillageschool.org Robin (Rob) Campbell Middle School Social Studies Teacher and Eighth Grade Class Advisor B.A. from Houghton College M.S. from St. Bonaventure University Social Studies Grades Seven through Twelve Social Studies for Grades Five through Six Gifted and Talented Education Started at EVCS: 2007 rcampbell@elmwoodvillageschool.org Dawn Carroll Third Grade (3b) Lead Teacher B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo M.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo Elementary Education Grades Pre-K through Sixth dcarroll@elmwoodvillageschool.org Anita Ching Third Grade (3b) Assistant Teacher B.A. from CUNY Brooklyn College Ed. M. from SUNY at Buffalo Elementary Education Grades One through Six Biology Education Grades Five through Twelve (in process) aching@elmwoodvillageschool.org Advanced Certificate: Jennifer Covotta Special Education/Consultant Teacher for First Grade B.S. from SUNY at Brockport M.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo Literacy from Medaille College Special Education for Grades Pre-K through Six Literacy for Grades Pre-K through Six jcovotta@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Tara Czamara Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Third Grade B.A. from John Carroll University M.S. from Canisius College Special Education for Grades Kindergarten through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2007 tczamara@elmwoodvillageschoo.org Madelyn Eberle AmeriCorps AIS Teaching Assistant Serving in Fifth Grade B.S. from the University of Rochester meberle@elmwoodvillageschool.org Liz Evans Operations Manager B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo M.L.S. from SUNY at Buffalo levans@elmwoodvillageschool.org Dana Fauth, RN, BSN School Nurse and Instructional Technology Coordinator B.S.N. Ohio Wesleyan University License: Registered Nurse dfauth@elmwoodvillageschool.org Renee (Zerkowski) Fitzsimmons Middle School Mathematics Teacher and Seventh Grade Class Advisor B.A. from Canisius College M.S. from Canisius College Mathematics for Grades Seven through Nine Gifted and Talented Education rzerkowski@elmwoodvillageschool.org Amos Fraccica AmeriCorps AIS Teaching Assistant in Grades Three through Five B.S. from SUNY College at Fredonia M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Fredonia Elementary Education Grades One through Six Literacy Grades Pre-K through Six afraccica@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Lea Gladysz Office Manager/Admissions Coordinator lgladysz@elmwoodvillageschool.org Bachelor s Degrees: Jacqueline Gonser Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Second Grade B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo B.S. from SUNY at Brockport M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo Elementary Education for Grades Kindergarten through Six Special Education for Grades Pre-K through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2007 jgonser@elmwoodvillageschool.org John Grabovski Building Engineer License: Stationary Engineer jgrabovski@elmwoodvillageschool.org Courtney Hartman Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Kindergarten B. Ed. from SUNY at Fredonia chartman@elmwoodvillageschool.org Theresa Jankowski First Grade (1b) Lead Teacher B.A. from Benedictine College M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo Literacy for Grades Pre-K through Twelve tjankowski@elmwoodvillageschool.org Courtney Kerwin Kindergarten (Ka) Assistant Teacher B.S.Ed. from Medaille College ckerwin@elmwoodvillageschool.org Stephanie Krentz Spanish Teacher SUNY College at Buffalo E-mail skrentz@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Margo Lacure AmeriCorps AIS Teaching Assistant in Middle School B.A. from SUNY at Geneseo Social Studies for Grades Seven through Twelve mlacure@elmwoodvillageschool.org Ann Landrigan Student Services and Testing Coordinator B.S. from Gannon University M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo Special Education for Grades Pre-K through Twelve alandrigan@elmwoodvillageschool.org Melanie Lesswing Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Fifth Grade B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo Elementary Education Grades One through Six Special Education Grades One through Six mlesswing@elmwoodvillageschool.org Laura (Cornejo) Lester Third Grade (3a) Lead Teacher B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo M. Ed. from SUNY at Buffalo lcornejo@elmwoodvillageschool.org Ebony McMillan Second Grade (2a) Teaching Assistant Degree: A.A.S. from Erie Community College NYS Teaching Assistant emcmillan@elmwoodvillageschool.org Diane MonacoPetro Middle School Science Teacher B.A. from University of Delaware M.S. Ed. from Niagara University Biology for Grades Five through Twelve General Science for Grades Seven through Twelve Chemistry for Grades Seven through Twelve dmonacopetro@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Kimberly O Connor Office Assistant/Transportation Coordinator Degree: A.S. Niagara Community College koconnor@elmwoodvillageschool.org Kristy O Connor First Grade (1b) Assistant Teacher Degree: B.A. from SUNY Fredonia Elementary Inclusive Education E-mail koconnor1@elmwoodvillageschool.org David Phillips Physical Education and Health Teacher B.S. from St. Bonaventure University M.A. from University of Alabama Physical Education for Grades Kindergarten through Twelve Health Education for Grades Kindergarten through twelve Started at EVCS: 2009 dphillips@elmwoodvillageschool.org Amanda Plant Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Middle School B.S. from D Youville College M.A. from D Youville College Elementary Education Grades Pre-K through Six Special Education Grades One through Six aplant@elmwoodvillageschool.org Melissa Recht Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Middle School B.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo mrecht@elmwoodvillageschool.org Lori Ricupito School Counselor Contracted through Catholic Charities B.A. from Daemen College Ed. M. from SUNY at Buffalo M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo Doctoral Degree: Ph. D. from SUNY at Buffalo
Jennifer Ryan Fifth Grade Lead Teacher B.S. from SUNY at Fredonia M.S. Ed. SUNY College at Buffalo Elementary Education for Grades Pre-Kindergarten through Six jryan@elmwoodvillageschool.org Sarah Schmitt AmeriCorps AIS Teaching Assistant Serving in Fourth Grade B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo Mathematics Grades Five through Twelve sschmitt@elmwoodvillageschool.org Rachele Schneekloth Second Grade (2a) Lead Teacher B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo M.Ed. from SUNY at Buffalo Elementary Education Grades Pre-K through Six rschneekloth@elwmoodvillageschool.org Jennifer Seitz Title I AIS Reading and Math Teacher B.S. from Medaille College M.S. Ed. from Medaille College Literacy for Grades Pre-K through Six jeseitz@elmwoodvillageschool.org Bachelor s Degrees: Krista (Vazquez) Shafer Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Fourth Grade B.S. from SUNY at Buffalo B.S. from SUNY at Buffalo M.S. Ed. from Canisius College Elementary Education for Pre-k through Six Early Childhood Education kvazquez@elmwoodvillageschool.org Master s Degrees: John Sheffield Director B.A. from Wadhams Hall College M.A. from St. Bonaventure University M.S. Ed. from Niagara University School District Administrator School Administration and Supervision Pupil Services
jsheffield@elmwoodvillageschool.org Catherine Skora Dance Teacher/Arts Integration B.S. from SUNY at Buffalo M.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo NYS Certified Dance Instructor for grades Kindergarten through Twelve cskora@elmwoodvillageschool.org Kathleen Smidt Second Grade (2b) Lead Teacher B.A. from American University M.S. from Medaille College ksmidt@elmwoodvillageschool.org Ashley Smith Art Teacher B.F.A from SUNY College at Buffalo M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo Art Education asmith@elmwoodvillageschool.org Josette Smith Fourth Grade Lead Teacher B.S. from SUNY at Buffalo M.S. Ed. from Medaille College jsmith@elmwoodvillageschool.org Lindsy Sprague Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Middle School B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo lsprague@elmwoodvillageschool.org Ann Sullivan First Grade (1a) Lead Teacher B.S. from Medaille College M.S. Ed. from Medaille College Started at EVCS: 2007 asullivan@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Tricia Tangeman Kindergarten (Kb) Lead Teacher B.S. from Canisius College M.S. Ed. from SUNY at Buffalo Early Childhood Education Birth through Grade Two Literacy Grades Pre-K through Twelve Jennifer Valeri Third Grade (3a) Teaching Assistant B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo jvaleri@elmwoodvillageschool.org Carol Veach Library Media Specialist and Library/Computer Science Teacher B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo Library Media Specialist for Grades Kindergarten through Twelve Public Library Certification Elementary Education for Grades Kindergarten through Six cveach@elmwoodvillageschool.org Shawn Nicole Warnes Kindergarten (Ka) Lead Teacher B.S. from Medaille College Early Childhood Education for Grades Pre-K through Two (renewal in process) Started at EVCS: 2008 swarnes@elmwoodvillageschool.org Anne Wechsler Academic Program Coordinator B.A. from Stanford University M.A. from Harvard University awechsler@elmwoodvillageschool.org Brittany (Wier) Betton Kindergarten (Kb) Assistant Teacher B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo Elementary Education Grades One through Six Special Education Grades One through Six bwier@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Maria Williams First Grade (1a) Assistant Teacher B.S. from SUNY at Fredonia mwilliams@elmwoodvillageschool.org Susan Wlosinski Elementary School Mentor Teacher/Instructional Consultant B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo M.S. from Canisius College Started at EVCS: 2008