Middle School

Altman, Adam
Science - Lower and Middle School
B.S. The Ohio State University
M.Ed. Ursuline College 

Mr. Altman joined AOA in 2008. After graduating from The Ohio State University with a degree in Sustainable Resource Management, he enjoyed a decade in the private sector as an environmental consultant. "I loved being able to directly apply the science I know to discover historical causes of environmental impacts." Mr. Altman went on to pursue a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Ursuline College. Prior to joining AOA, he taught first grade in the Cleveland Heights/University Heights school district.

"There is no better way to teach young children science than through real experiences that deepen their understanding of the world in which they live."

Berthet, Veronique
French and ESL (English as a Second Language) - Middle and Upper School
B.A. Castleton State College
M.A. Syracuse University 

Ms. Berthet is a native speaker of French. She finished her studies in France and came to the United States as an exchange student nearly twelve years ago. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Castleton State College, Vermont. In 2003, Ms. Berthet graduated with a Master's Degree in Linguistics from Syracuse University, NY. Ms. Berthet has taught at all levels of education: K-12 French and Spanish, college level French courses in the United States, and French and English as a Foreign Language to professional adults in Mexico. Ms. Berthet joined the AOA faculty in 2004.

"For me, AOA represents a microcosm of the world with students from different cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. It is fascinating and rewarding to teach in this educational institution. C'est merveilleux! Go AOA!"

Clark, Karen
Choral and Theater Program Director
B.M. Westminster College 

Mrs. Clark teaches Choral Music, Public Speaking and directs the Drama Program at Andrews Osborne Academy. Mrs. Clark is a graduate of Westminster College, Pennsylvania where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Education. Her concentrations were in Piano and Voice. She has done graduate work at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Choral Conducting and has spent many summers studying at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J. Mrs. Clark is an active member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Ohio Music Education Association and the American Guild of Organists. Mrs. Clark has taught music, both Choral and Instrumental, to students of all ages. She has helped direct and produce many theatrical productions, both in school and in community theater. She also serves as Organist/Choirmaster at St. Alban Episcopal Church. Mrs. Clark resides in Cleveland Heights with her husband, Andrew, their two children and their two black Labradors.

Devloo, Melissa
Math - Upper School
Science - Middle School

 

Di Bianca, Gary
Foreign Language Chair
Spanish - Middle and Upper School
B.A. and B.S. Miami University (Ohio)
M.A. Middlebury College 

Señor Di Bianca joined the AOA faculty in 2003. He teaches Upper School Spanish, including AP Spanish Language, and is Chair of the Foreign Language Department. He has lived in Costa Rica and Mexico and has traveled with AOA students to Spain, Canada, and Costa Rica. He is the co-advisor of ROAD: Respecters of All Diversities Club, serves on the Cleveland Council of Independent School's Diversity Committee, and works on other diversity committees throughout the Cleveland area. At AOA, he is a member of the Curriculum Committee, chairs the annual International Day, and co-facilitates the Cleveland Area Arts Experience and Student Diversity Leadership Forum. He is a member of national and local foreign language associations and regularly attends and presents at foreign language, diversity, and technology conferences and workshops. Señor Di Bianca was honored by Ohio Magazine as an Outstanding Private School Educator in 2006.

"When I describe Andrews Osborne Academy, I talk about my wonderful students, the challenging courses we offer, and my great colleagues who all bring so much to the table. I also stress the word "Community" because AOA is community-based school. There is an amazing dynamic that comes together to make this school what it is, and I truly feel this is what sets us apart and makes us special."

Druhot, Scott
English Department Chair
English - Middle and Upper School
B.A. Ohio Wesleyan University
M.A. Case Western Reserve University 

Mr. Druhot is Chairman of the English Department and teaches in the Upper School. Most recently, he has been teaching freshman English and AP English, but he has, in his twenty-five years at AOA, taught at all levels in grades 7-12. He views teaching much as one might view coaching, encouraging young people to establish challenging goals for themselves and then helping them acquire the knowledge and skills they need to meet those goals. This includes a great deal of reading and writing and pushing students toward true mastery of skills and material—which is often just a little further than students thought they could go.

In addition to his degrees, Mr. Druhot has studied at Teachers College (Columbia University), Cleveland State University, and The University of York, York, England. He has also presented at several writing workshops in the Greater Cleveland area. At AOA he is an advisor for the Mock Trial team, a member of the Curriculum Committee and Senior Projects Committee, and he coordinates the theatre trip for seniors every fall to Stratford, Ontario. Occasionally, he jumps into a dramatic production to help out with some of the technical aspects of theatre.

Fahsbender, Marina
English - Middle and Upper School
B.A. The American University
M.Ed. Ursuline College 

Ms. Fahsbender teaches English 11, AP English Language, and Media Literacy in the Upper School. Ms. Fahsbender has worked as a magazine editor and writer in New York and London before returning to Ohio to pursue graduate studies in education and language arts. She has experience teaching in public and private schools and has attended the AP Language Summer Institute at Northwestern University.

Ms. Fahsbender holds the view that learning is a methodical yet also an idiosyncratic process and strives to create conditions in the classroom for students to explore various learning preferences, advance personal interests and question long-standing assumptions. Her goal is to help students to master the art of close reading and critical oral and written response. As film and creative writing are two of her favorite pastimes, Ms. Fahsbender is very excited to serve as advisor for the Film Club and Literary Magazine. She will be working with students to create a DVD format of the literary magazine that will incorporate prose, verse, music, and film.

Fain, Carol
English as a Second Language - Middle and Upper School
B.A. Michigan State University 

Mrs. Fain is a native of New Jersey. After studying French and English at Michigan State University, she moved to Berlin, Germany, where she lived for eleven years. Mrs. Fain was the Foreign Language Coordinator for the US Army in Berlin and taught for many years at The University of Akron and several private language schools.

Mrs. Fain is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Education and ESL.

"Having gone to Germany on my own with no contacts and only a smattering of German, I am excited to work with students who are learning a new language and trying to adjust to a different culture. Andrews Osborne Academy provides a wonderful opportunity for international students to experience life abroad in a supportive and challenging environment, and I am happy to be part of that experience."

Hegreness, Darcy
Physical Education - Lower School
Swim - Lower and Middle School
B.S. The Ohio State University  

Darcy Hegreness has taught swimming at Andrews Osborne Academy since 1997. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from The Ohio State University. Mrs. Hegreness has been involved in therapeutic recreation and swimming all her life. She worked as a supervisor for the O.S.U. Aquatic Center and for the National American Red Cross as a liaison between Safety Programs Department and the City of Columbus swimming pools. Mrs. Hegreness has also been employed as an activities therapist, activities coordinator, and therapeutic recreation consultant. She looks forward to taking her recreation degree and incorporating it with the National Association of Sport and Physical Education standards to make the physical education classes fun and beneficial. Mrs. Hegreness hopes that all students will learn to value physical education for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and social interaction.

“Living on the shores of Lake Erie, I feel that it is vitally important that all students become proficient swimmers and safe in and around the water. I work with students at their individual level. I love to see their excitement as they learn to float, pass their deep end test and succeed at their first dive. For the older student I enjoy refining their techniques and challenging them in sports.”

Hines, Kathie
History - Middle and Upper School
B.A. Oakland University
M.A. Ursuline College 

Mrs. Hines earned a Bachelor's degree from Oakland University in Michigan and a Master's degree in Education from Ursuline College. Prior to arriving at AOA in 2008, she taught at Greater Heights Academy. Mrs. Hines has taught World History, U.S. History, Government, Economics, and Sociology. At AOA she teaches World Studies II, Eighth grade U.S. History, Government, and Ethics.

"In my classroom, learning is student-centered and students are actively participating. Education is not a process of filling one's mind with facts. On the contrary, it is supplying my students with facts and ideas, incorporating the necessary tools, and showing them the means to succeed. Also, by expressing my passion for teaching my content area I hope to inspire my students to be life-long learners and productive citizens."

Jones, Polly
Librarian - Middle and Upper School
English - Middle School
B.S. Duke University and Kent State University
M.L.S. Kent State University
M.S. Wheelock College 

Mrs. Jones earned a Master's degree from Kent State University in Library Science, a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Kent State, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Duke University. Prior to arriving at AOA in 2007, Mrs. Jones served as a librarian at the United Elementary School and the Minerva Public Library. She has more than ten years of teaching experience in schools in Hawaii, Texas, and here in Ohio.

"Having attended boarding school as a high school student, I was excited for my family and I to join the AOA community; the close-knit environment and rigorous academic curriculum were appealing to me. As the Librarian for the middle and upper school students, I particularly enjoy collaborating with teachers and helping students with the research process. I strongly believe that as young adults transition from high school to college, they need solid information literacy skills. My work with the students centers on them being able to find, access, evaluate, and cite reliable information. Our students move on to the next stage of their lives with the necessary skills to succeed."

Lash, Maggie
Physical Education - Middle and Upper School
B.A. Notre Dame College 

Ms. Lash has taught health and physical education and served as Athletic Director at St. Augustine Academy and Regina High School. She coached swimming at Regina High School, Laurel School, and Magnificat High School prior to joining Andrews Osborne Academy.

"As a physical educator, providing students with physical activity opportunities both in and out of school is critical. Helping them to develop the knowledge and skills to select and participate in physical activity safely, competently, and with personal satisfaction is my goal as an educator. It is my role to help students develop health related fitness, physical competence, and positive attitudes about physical activity so that they can adopt healthy and physically active lifestyles."

Marsh, Katharine
Science Department Chair
Science - Middle and Upper School
B.S. Quinnipiac University
M.S. Southern Connecticut State University 

Ms. Marsh is Chair of the Science Department, Advisor for the Ecology Club, and an Advisor for the Freshman Class.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, she managed and was resident technician for a large and small animal veterinary practice in rural Connecticut outside of New Haven. From there, Ms. Marsh worked at the University of Connecticut Medical School as a researcher on a vaccine against bacterial meningitis, and at the Connecticut Chemosensory Research Center. In 2000, she was awarded “Top 20 Outstanding Advanced Placement Teachers in the New England Region” by the College Board. She moved to Ohio to be with her family.

Melesky, Lara
Spanish - Lower and Middle School
B.A. Duquesne University 

Senorita Melesky earned a Bachelor's degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Prior to arriving at AOA in 2007, she student taught at a small parochial school during college. Ms. Melesky is now sharing her passion and energy for language with students in the EC program through sixth grade.

"I think back to Plato's Republic when considering how best to teach. Socrates instructs us, "Therefore, you best of men, don't use force in training the children in the subjects, but rather play. In that way can you better discern toward what each is naturally directed." To discover that special place where work and play merge together to create joyful, meaningful - and therefore valuable - learning is to discover the underlying philosophy of an AOA education. AOA embraces this Greek wisdom wholeheartedly; and so for that, along with many other reasons, I am grateful to be part of such a wonderful academy."

Sarns, Mary
Art - Middle and Upper School
B.F.A. Kansas City Art Institute
M.F.A. Illinois State University and Ohio University 

Ms. Sarns experience includes teaching courses in Painting and Drawing at Illinois State University, University College of Santa Fe, Lakeland Community College, Eastlake Adult Education, The School of Fine Arts, and Cleveland Museum of Art. She has lead Artists-in-Resident Programs for Children at various locations such as Willoughby- Eastlake Schools, Mentor Gifted Programs, West Geauga Middle School, St. Williams School, St Roberts School, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Mary Magdalene School, and St Gabriel School. Ms. Sarns was Gallery Director for the School of Fine Arts from 1977 to 2003. She has shown in local, regional and national art shows and in galleries.

"Art is not just something that you do, it is a way of life."

Scott, Nancy
Computer - Lower and Middle School
B.S. Keene State College 

Mrs. Scott came to AOA from working with a company called “Computer Tots” where she would travel to different schools and teach computer classes to students and teachers. Prior to that she was a stay at home mom who volunteered at her children’s schools helping with the computers.

Here at Andrews Osborne Academy her job is to teach computer classes to students from three years old to eighth grade. For the students in the middle school she works cooperatively with their teachers to design integrated lessons that incorporate the computers and all the different learning styles.

“I feel it is important to teach the students how to use the computer to enhance their learning and to be a useful tool as they go through school and life. I also work with Middle School students to produce the school yearbook. I am the advisor and director of the school news show The Herald. I love working with children, drawing out their creativity and instilling in them a joy of life-long learning and exploring.”

Starkey, Matt
Spanish - Middle and Upper School
B.A. The Ohio State University 

Mr. Starkey joined AOA in March of 2009. He graduated from The Ohio State University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in History, Political Science, and Spanish. Mr. Starkey has lived in Spain as a student at la Universidad de Granada. Prior to coming to AOA, he was a substitute teacher for the Mentor Public School District as well as a learn-to-swim instructor and director at several different aquatic facilities. Mr. Starkey teaches Middle School Spanish and the Upper School Spanish II classes. In addition to teaching, he coaches both Middle and Upper School Swimming.

"It is my goal to not only provide the students with the tools necessary to learn a second language but to take them on a journey that gives them an insight into the history and culture that goes with the language they are studying, embodying the school mission and pushing them one step closer to global literacy and awareness."

"Education is the best provision for the journey to old age." Aristotle

Sulak, Jeanette
Art - Lower, Middle, and Upper School
B.A. Cleveland State University 

Mrs. Sulak was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela and grew up in Ohio. After graduating from CSU, she substituted in the Madison, Mentor and Wickliffe schools before coming to Andrews Osborne Academy. She is a member of the Ohio Art Education Association and participates in the Teacher Resource workshops offered by the Cleveland Museum of Art each month.

She promotes students in seventh and eighth grades to create award-winning art for the Lake and Geauga County Secondary Art Awards. Mrs. Sulak coordinates art work for display featuring pre-kindergarten through eighth grades at the May Fine Arts Show.

“I’ve always enjoyed teaching children to find a sense of wonder about the world around them. Art helps them express their values and emotions. Students learn about other cultures and the historical importance of symbols and ideas. I choose to teach here because as teachers we are encouraged and challenged to instill a love of our subject by being creative and innovative in new approaches. Imagination is the beginning of creation, that is what I desire to instill in all my students.”

Thompson, Tasha
History - Middle and Upper School
B.S. Lake Erie College
 

Mrs. Thompson teaches Middle School History as well as ESL Humanities courses. She received her Bachelor's degree in Social Science from Lake Erie College and completed an education licensure program at Notre Dame College. Prior to arriving at AOA, Mrs. Thompson worked as a family advocate for a local nonprofit organization.

"It is my goal to connect what the students do in school to what the students do after school. I believe that it is that dynamic and comfortable learning environment that will promote continuous improvement of successful and constructive people. I enjoy being an advisor for the Middle School Student Council and the Model UN."