Faculty & Staff

Bethany School's faculty and staff are committed
 to providing each child a challenging and safe learning environment;
to developing lifelong learners;
and to developing positive character traits.
Bethany faculty strive to make a difference
and they are highly committed to the school's vision. 


2008- 2009 Bethany Faculty and Staff

Cheryl Pez, Head of School 
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Education from Miami University               
Graduate Degree: Master of Education from Miami University                                  
Years Experience: 33
Years at Bethany:  22
Contact information:  pez@bethanyschool.org; phone extension 103

Dee Morgan, Assistant Head of School, Admissions Director
Degree Earned:      Bachelor of Science in Education from UNC-Greensboro
Graduate Degree: Master of Education from UNC-Greensboro
Administrative Credential: University of Redlands; Xavier University
Years Experience: 26
Years at Bethany:  11    
Contact information:  morgan@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 104

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Kimberly Knight, School Chaplain
Degree Earned :  Bachelor of Arts, Psychology from Florida State University
Graduate Degrees :  Master of Education, Marriage and Family Therapy
                                           University of Miami
                                          Master of Divinity : The Protestant Episcopal Seminary
                                                                                     in Virginia
Years Experience :  10
Years at Bethany  :    1
Contact information : knight@bethanyschool.org; phone extension : 109

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Lower School:  Grades Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third

Carolyn Lanenga, Kindergarten Teacher
Degree Earned:  Combined Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education,     
           Special Education, and Early Childhood from Brigham Young University      
Years Experience: 15
Years at Bethany:  12
Contact information:  lanenga@bethanyschool.org; phone extension:  125                                                                                      
Kathy Poto, Kindergarten Teacher                         
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Education
                                        from Slippery Rock University
Years Experience:  21
Years at Bethany:  14
Contact information:  poto@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 126

Cheryl Bailey, Kindergarten Aide  
Years Experience: 12
Years at Bethany:    5
Contact information:  bailey@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 125

Joy Miller, Kindergarten Aide
Degree Earned :
Years Experience :
Years at Bethany:  2
Contact information:  miller@bethanyschool.org; phone extension : 126

Kelly Tedesco, First Grade Teacher
Degrees Earned:  Bachelor of Arts in  English
                                         Queen's University, Ontario, Canada
                            Bachelor of Education
                                         Queen's University, Ontario, Canada
Years Experience: 14
Years at Bethany:    2
Contact Information:  tedesco@bethanyschool.org; phone extension:  117

Katie Vaughn : First Grade Teacher
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Education from University of Cincinnati
Graduate Degree :  Master's of Education College of Mount Saint Joseph's
Years Experience: 3
Years at Bethany:  2
Contact information:   vaughn@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 123

Angela Bell, Second Grade  Teacher
Degree Earned: Bachelor's of Science in Early Childhood Education
                                     Xavier University
Graduate Degree:  Master's Degree in Reading
                                     Xavier University (currently pursuing)
Years Experience:  3
Years at Bethany:   3
Contact information:  bell@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 120

Wendy McIver,  Second Grade Teacher
Degree Earned: Bachelor's of Art in Education from UNC-Wilmington
Years Experience: 20
Years at Bethany:  13
Contact information:  mciver@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 121

Cece Donovan, Third Grade Teacher, Lower School Team Leader
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Education from Edgecliff College
Years Experience: 36
Years at Bethany:  18
Contact information:  donovan@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 118

Donna Hobson,  Third Grade Teacher
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
                                        from Miami University
Years Experience: 18
Years at Bethany:    9
Contact information:  hobson@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 119

Gale Bush, Learner Support Teacher  for Grades K,1, 2, 3
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Education
                                    from Notre Dame College
Years Experience: 11
Years at Bethany:    7
Contact information:  bush@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 107

Sheilah Dallas:  Problem Solving Lab for Grades K - 3
                                     and Christian Ed for Grades 2 & 3

Degree Earned:  Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
                                        from Bowie State University
Years Experience:  20
Years at Bethany:   14
Contact Information : dallas@bethanyschool.org ; phone extension : 116

Kristen West: Kindergarten Art, Music, Gym
Degree Earned : Bachelor's Degree from The  Ohio State University
Graduate Degree :  Master's Degree in Reading
                                            from College of Mount Saint Joseph
Years Experience :  6
Years at Bethany :   6
Contact Information : west@bethanyschool.org; phone extension : 114

Sister Joan Michael, Lower School Aide

Degree Earned:  Bachelor of Science from Lake Erie College
Graduate Degree: Master's Degree in Montessori Education
                                        from Xavier University
Years Experience: 52
Years at Bethany:  34
                     
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Middle School:  Grades Four, Five, and Six

Lisa Bertke, Fourth Grade Teacher
Degree Earned:  Bachelor of Science in Education
                                        from Bowling Green State University
Years Experience: 16
Years at Bethany:    3
Contact information:  bertke@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 128

Deanna Brooksbank, Fourth Grade Teacher
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
                                     from  Miami University
Graduate Degree Earned: Master's of Education in Gifted/Talented Education                                                             from Xavier University
Years Experience:  10
Years at Bethany :   2
Contact Information : brooksbank@bethanyschool.org ; phone extension : 131

Barbara Collier, Fifth Grade Teacher
Degree Earned : Bachelor of Science Degree
                                        from University of Maryland
Graduate Degree:  Master's of Education Degree
                                         from University of Maryland
Years Experience:  11
Years at Bethany:     2
Contact Information : collier@bethanyschool.org; phone extension : 135

Kim Cooper,  Fifth Grade Teacher, MIddle School Team Leader
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Music in Harp
                                    from University of Cincinnati: College Conservatory of Music
Graduate Degree: Master of Education from Xavier University
Years Experience:  7
Years at Bethany:   5
Contact information:   cooper@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 134
                        
Sharon Arntsen,  Sixth Grade Teacher
Degree Earned:   Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and LIterature
                                    from Southwest Minnesota State University
Years Experience: 14
Years at Bethany:  14
Contact information:  arntsen@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 133

Michelle Mellea, Sixth Grade Teacher and Science Teacher for Grade Seven
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Brown University
Graduate Degree: Doctorate in Chemistry from Yale      
                                     Professional Teacher Certification from Antioch University
Years Experience: 5
Years at Bethany:  4
Contact information:   mellea@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 136

Claudia Barton,  Learner Support Teacher for Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
                                     from University of Cincinnati
Years Experience: 15
Years at Bethany:  13
Contact information:  barton@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 127

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Upper School:  Grades Seven and Eight
                       

Clyde Chapman, Seventh and Eighth Grade History Teacher                     
Degree Earned:  Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from Miami University
Graduate Degree: Master's Degree in Education from Xavier University
Years Experience:  27
Years at Bethany:  19
Contact information:  chapman@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 138

Kelley Eckert, Math Teacher for Grades 4, 5, 7, 8
Degree Earned : Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics
                                         from Wayne State University
Graduate Degree:  (currently pursuing) Master's Degree in Education
                                         from Xavier University
Years Experience: 2
Years at Bethany:  2
Contact Information : eckert@bethanyschool.org; phone extension 130

Sharon Emerine, Seventh and Eighth Grade Language Arts and Literature
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Education
                                    from Bowling Green State University
Years Experience: 27
Years at Bethany:   4
 Contact information:  emerine@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 129

Andy Homan, Seventh and Eighth Grade Math and Science
                             Upper School Team Leader

Degree Earned:  Bachelor of Arts in History from Xavier University
Graduate Degree: Master's Degree in Elementary Montessori
                                            from Xavier University
Years Experience:  38
Years at Bethany:   11
Contact information:  homan@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 137

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Special Area Classes

Corky Reutter-Averbeck, Christian Education, Cultural Studies
 Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia University
Graduate Degree: Master's Degree in Humanities
                                            from California State University: Dominguez Hills
Years Experience: 37
Years at Bethany:  17
Contact information:  averbeck@bethanyschool.org; phone extension 122

 Melinda Boyd, Library, Christian Education
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
                                        from Indiana University
Graduate Degree: Master's of Library Science from Indiana University
Years Experience: 12
Years at Bethany:    9
Contact information:  boyd@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 141

Padma Srinivasa, Library Aide
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science from Mysore University (India)
Years Experience: 20
Years at Bethany:  20

Scott Bruce, Computer Lab Teacher

Degree Earned:  Bachelor and Masters of Music
                                        from CCM: University of Cincinnati
Years Experience:  22
Years at Bethany:     5
Contact information:  bruce@bethanyschool.org; phone extension:  142

Marla Brunsman, Physical Education Teacher
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University
Years Experience: 18
Years at Bethany : 15
Contact information:  brunsman@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 144

Karen Fletcher, Spanish Teacher for Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts in Communication
                                        from University of New Orleans
Graduate Degree: (currently pursuing): Master's of Education
                                        from Xavier University
Years Experience:  4
Years at Bethany:   4
Contact information:  fletcher@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 102

Shirley Ross, Art Teacher
Degree Earned:      Bachelor of Arts from Xavier University
Graduate Degree: Master's Degree in Art Education
                                         from University of Cincinnati
Years Experience:  27
Years at Bethany:   10
Contact information:  ross@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 113

Sister Lynn Julian, Christian Education, Christian Education Coordinator
Degree Earned:     Bachelor of Science from Earlham College
Graduate Degree: Masters of Education from Johns Hopkins University; Masters of Divinity from Episcopal Theological School
Years Experience: 16
Years at Bethany:    6
Contact information:  lynn@bethanyschool.org

Sister Mary Elizabeth, Christian Education,  Christian Education Coordinator           
Years Experience:  22
Years at Bethany:   22
Contact information: elizabeth@bethanyschool.org

Melanie Schackmann, Music Teacher
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Music Education
                                     from University of Maryland
Years Experience:  8
Years at Bethany:   3
Contact information:  schackmann@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 146

Julisa Schlabach, Spanish Teacher for Grades 5, 6, 7, 8
Degree Earned: Bachelor's Degree in Education
                                        from Santiago de Cali
Years Experience:  10
Years at Bethany:     4
Contact information:  schlabach@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 110

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Bethany School Staff

Peggy Brockmeier, R.N.,  School Nurse  
Degree Earned:       Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from University of Cincinnati
Graduate Degree: School Nursing Certification
                                            from College of Mount Saint Joseph
Years Experience: 15
Years at Bethany:    5
Contact information:  brockmeier@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 106

Donna Day, Technical Director
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Art in Mathematics from University of Cincinnati
Years Experience: 15
Years at Bethany:  11
Contact information:   day@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 111

Pat Herzner, Food Service and Cleaning
Years Experience:  26
Years at Bethany:   26
Contact information:  herzner@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 112

Margie Kessler, Office Assistant
Years Experience :  8
Years at Bethany  :  2
Contact information : kessler@bethanyschool.org; phone extension : 101

Joy Elaine Lynch, School Business Office Manager
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Science in Education from University of Cincinnati
Years Experience: 27
Years at Bethany:  27
Contact information:  lynch@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 124

Jenny Meiners, School Office Manager

Years Experience: 22
Years at Bethany:    6
Contact information:  meiners@bethanyschool.org; phone extension: 100