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. [email protected].
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. [email protected].
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. [email protected].
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. [email protected].
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. [email protected].
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. [email protected].
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. [email protected].
Alphabetical Listing of Staff
Staff Member: Lauren Atherton
Position: Second Grade (2b) Teaching Assistant Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from St. Bonaventure University Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from St. Bonaventure University
Certification: School Counseling Grade Kindergarten through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2013
E-Mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Melissa Bak
Position: Title I Reading Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from Niagara University Master’s Degree: M.S. from Niagara University
Certifications: Literacy Grades Kindergarten through Sixth Elementary Education Grades Pre-K through Sixth Started at EVCS: 2008
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Laura Battaglia
Position: ESL Teacher
Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo Master’s Degree: M. Ed. from Canisius College
Certifications: TESOL Grades Kindergarten through Twelve Social Studies Grades Seven through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2012
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Christina Brown
Position: Music Teacher
Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from Cedar Crest College Started at EVCS: 2010
Staff Member: Shannon Burke-Krukowski
Position: Middle School English Language Arts Teacher and Sixth Grade Class Advisor Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo
Master’s Degree: M. Ed. from SUNY at Buffalo
Certification: English Education for Grades Seven through Twelve Stated at EVCS: 2012
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Robin (Rob) Campbell
Position: Middle School Social Studies Teacher and Eighth Grade Class Advisor Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from Houghton College
Master’s Degree: M.S. from St. Bonaventure University Certifications: Social Studies Grades Seven through Twelve
Social Studies for Grades Five through Six Gifted and Talented Education
Started at EVCS: 2007
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Dawn Carroll
Position: Third Grade (3b) Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo Master’s Degree: M.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certification: Elementary Education Grades Pre-K through Sixth Started at EVCS: 2010
E-Mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Anita Ching
Position: Third Grade (3b) Assistant Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from CUNY Brooklyn College Master’s Degree: Ed. M. from SUNY at Buffalo
Certifications: Elementary Education Grades One through Six
Biology Education Grades Five through Twelve (in process) Started at EVCS: 2013
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Jennifer Covotta
Position: Special Education/Consultant Teacher for First Grade Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY at Brockport
Master’s Degree: M.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo Advanced Certificate: Literacy from Medaille College
Certifications: Elementary Education for Grades Pre-K through Six Special Education for Grades Pre-K through Six Literacy for Grades Pre-K through Six
Started at EVCS: 2010
Staff Member: Tara Czamara
Position: Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Third Grade Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from John Carroll University
Master’s Degree: M.S. from Canisius College
Certifications: Elementary Education for Grades Pre-K through Six
Special Education for Grades Kindergarten through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2007
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Madelyn Eberle
Position: AmeriCorps AIS Teaching Assistant Serving in Fifth Grade Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from the University of Rochester
Started at EVCS: 2013
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Liz Evans
Position: Operations Manager Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo Master’s Degree: M.L.S. from SUNY at Buffalo Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Dana Fauth, RN, BSN
Position: School Nurse and Instructional Technology Coordinator Bachelor’s Degree: B.S.N. Ohio Wesleyan University
License: Registered Nurse Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Renee (Zerkowski) Fitzsimmons
Position: Middle School Mathematics Teacher and Seventh Grade Class Advisor Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from Canisius College
Master’s Degree: M.S. from Canisius College
Certifications: Mathematics for Grades Seven through Nine Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Gifted and Talented Education
Started at EVCS: 2011
E-Mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Amos Fraccica
Position: AmeriCorps AIS Teaching Assistant in Grades Three through Five Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY College at Fredonia
Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Fredonia Certifications: Elementary Education Grades One through Six
Literacy Grades Pre-K through Six Started at EVCS: 2012
Staff Member: Lea Gladysz
Position: Office Manager/Admissions Coordinator Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Jacqueline Gonser
Position: Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Second Grade Bachelor’s Degrees: B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
B.S. from SUNY at Brockport
Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certifications: Elementary Education for Grades Kindergarten through Six Special Education for Grades Pre-K through Twelve
Started at EVCS: 2007
E-Mail: [email protected] Staff Member: John Grabovski
Position: Building Engineer License: Stationary Engineer Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Courtney Hartman
Position: Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Kindergarten Bachelor’s Degree: B. Ed. from SUNY at Fredonia
Certifications: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Special Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2012
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Theresa Jankowski
Position: First Grade (1b) Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from Benedictine College
Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certifications: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Literacy for Grades Pre-K through Twelve
Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Courtney Kerwin
Position: Kindergarten (Ka) Assistant Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S.Ed. from Medaille College
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2011
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Stephanie Krentz
Position: Spanish Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: SUNY College at Buffalo
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Special Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2013
Staff Member: Margo Lacure
Position: AmeriCorps AIS Teaching Assistant in Middle School Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from SUNY at Geneseo
Certification: Social Studies for Grades Seven through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2012
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Ann Landrigan
Position: Student Services and Testing Coordinator Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from Gannon University
Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certifications: Elementary Education for Grades Pre-K through Six Special Education for Grades Pre-K through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Melanie Lesswing
Position: Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Fifth Grade Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certifications: Elementary Education Grades One through Six Special Education Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2010
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Laura (Cornejo) Lester
Position: Third Grade (3a) Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo Master’s Degree: M. Ed. from SUNY at Buffalo
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades Pre-K through Six Started at EVCS: 2010
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Ebony McMillan
Position: Second Grade (2a) Teaching Assistant Degree: A.A.S. from Erie Community College Certification: NYS Teaching Assistant
Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Diane MonacoPetro
Position: Middle School Science Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from University of Delaware Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from Niagara University Certifications: Biology for Grades Five through Twelve
General Science for Grades Seven through Twelve Chemistry for Grades Seven through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2012
Staff Member: Kimberly O’Connor
Position: Office Assistant/Transportation Coordinator Degree: A.S. Niagara Community College
Started at EVCS: 2013
E-Mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Kristy O’Connor
Position: First Grade (1b) Assistant Teacher Degree: B.A. from SUNY Fredonia
Certification: Elementary Inclusive Education Started at EVCS: 2013
E-mail [email protected] Staff Member: David Phillips
Position: Physical Education and Health Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from St. Bonaventure University Master’s Degree: M.A. from University of Alabama
Certifications: Physical Education for Grades Kindergarten through Twelve Health Education for Grades Kindergarten through twelve Started at EVCS: 2009
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Amanda Plant
Position: Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Middle School Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from D’Youville College
Master’s Degree: M.A. from D’Youville College
Certifications: Elementary Education Grades Pre-K through Six Special Education Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2011
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Melissa Recht
Position: Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Middle School Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certifications: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Special Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2012
E-Mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Lori Ricupito
Position: School Counselor Contracted through Catholic Charities Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from Daemen College
Master’s Degree: Ed. M. from SUNY at Buffalo M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo Doctoral Degree: Ph. D. from SUNY at Buffalo Started at EVCS: 2010
Staff Member: Jennifer Ryan
Position: Fifth Grade Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY at Fredonia Master’s Degree: M .S. Ed. SUNY College at Buffalo
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades Pre-Kindergarten through Six Started at EVCS: 2013
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Sarah Schmitt
Position: AmeriCorps AIS Teaching Assistant Serving in Fourth Grade Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certification: Mathematics Grades Five through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2013
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Rachele Schneekloth
Position: Second Grade (2a) Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from SUNY at Buffalo Master’s Degree: M.Ed. from SUNY at Buffalo
Certification: Elementary Education Grades Pre-K through Six Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Jennifer Seitz
Position: Title I AIS Reading and Math Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from Medaille College
Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from Medaille College Certifications: Literacy for Grades Pre-K through Six
Elementary Education for Grades Pre-K through Six Started at EVCS: 2006
E-Mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Krista (Vazquez) Shafer
Position: Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Fourth Grade Bachelor’s Degrees: B.S. from SUNY at Buffalo
B.S. from SUNY at Buffalo Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from Canisius College
Certifications: Special Education for Grades One through Six Elementary Education for Pre-k through Six Early Childhood Education
Started at EVCS: 2011
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: John Sheffield
Position: Director
Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from Wadhams Hall College Master’s Degrees: M.A. from St. Bonaventure University
M.S. Ed. from Niagara University Certifications: School District Administrator
School Administration and Supervision Pupil Services
Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Catherine Skora
Position: Dance Teacher/Arts Integration Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY at Buffalo
Master’s Degree: M.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certifications: NYS Certified Dance Instructor for grades Kindergarten through Twelve Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Kathleen Smidt
Position: Second Grade (2b) Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from American University Master’s Degree: M.S. from Medaille College
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades Pre-K through Six Started at EVCS: 2011
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Ashley Smith
Position: Art Teacher
Bachelor’s Degree: B.F.A from SUNY College at Buffalo Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo Certification: Art Education
Started at EVCS: 2011
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Josette Smith
Position: Fourth Grade Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY at Buffalo Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from Medaille College
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Lindsy Sprague
Position: Special Education/Consultant Teacher for Middle School Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certifications: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Special Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2011
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Ann Sullivan
Position: First Grade (1a) Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from Medaille College Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from Medaille College
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2007
Staff Member: Tricia Tangeman
Position: Kindergarten (Kb) Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from Canisius College Master’s Degree: M.S. Ed. from SUNY at Buffalo
Certifications: Early Childhood Education Birth through Grade Two Literacy Grades Pre-K through Twelve
Staff Member: Jennifer Valeri
Position: Third Grade (3a) Teaching Assistant Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2011
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Carol Veach
Position: Library Media Specialist and Library/Computer Science Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Master’s Degree: M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo
Certifications: Library Media Specialist for Grades Kindergarten through Twelve Public Library Certification
Elementary Education for Grades Kindergarten through Six Started at EVCS: 2010
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Shawn Nicole Warnes
Position: Kindergarten (Ka) Lead Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from Medaille College
Certifications: Early Childhood Education for Grades Pre-K through Two
Elementary Education for Grades One through Six (renewal in process) Started at EVCS: 2008
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Anne Wechsler
Position: Academic Program Coordinator Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. from Stanford University Master’s Degree: M.A. from Harvard University
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2006
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Brittany (Wier) Betton
Position: Kindergarten (Kb) Assistant Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Certifications: Elementary Education Grades One through Six Special Education Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2013
Staff Member: Maria Williams
Position: First Grade (1a) Assistant Teacher Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY at Fredonia
Certifications: Elementary Education for Grades One through Six Special Education for Grades One through Six Started at EVCS: 2013
E-mail: [email protected] Staff Member: Susan Wlosinski
Position: Elementary School Mentor Teacher/Instructional Consultant Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. from SUNY College at Buffalo
Master’s Degree: M.S. from Canisius College
Certification: Elementary Education for Grades Pre-K through Six Started at EVCS: 2008
