TSA Academic Faculty
Sandy Baldwin, Mathematics comes to TSA as her second career. She is a 1993 University of Toledo graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. She joined TSA in 2006 as our Senior Division Paraprofessional tutoring in the math and science classrooms. She is now teaching math and is currently working on her Master’s in Secondary Education in Mathematics.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two children. As a former personal trainer, she also enjoys staying healthy by jogging, gymnastics/dancing, yoga and pilates.
Carol Bell, Mathematics comes to TSA from Bowling Green Junior High School where she worked as an "at risk" tutor. She is a graduate of Findlay High School and Bowling Green State University with a Bachelors Degree in Education.Carol meets ODE's "highly qualified" status and has attended the National Conference for Teachers of Mathematics and the state conference.
Carol has also taught GED classes and been a trainer for literacy tutors. She is currently teaching Integrated Mathematics 1 and 2 at the junior high level. Carol looks forward to passing her love of mathematics to the diverse student body at TSA. In her spare time, Carol likes to read mysteries and takes walks.
Kenneth Burchett, Science graduated in 1992 from Elmwood High School, and went on to receive a Bachelors degree cum laude in Biology/Chemistry in 1995 with a microbiology concentration. He will also receive Masters degrees in curriculum instruction and educational administration from the University of Toledo if he ever gets around to writing that pesky thesis.
His college level teaching experience includes microbiology laboratory at Eastern New Mexico University and environmental engineering laboratory at Texas A&M University. High school level teaching assignments have included: Physical Science, Biology, Honors Biology, Environmental Science, Anatomy/Physiology, Consumer Chemistry, Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, Physics, and Intervention Tutoring. His current teaching assignments at TSA include Physical Science, Chemistry, and Anatomy/Physiology. Mr. Burchett is also the advisor for the TSA Senior Division Quiz Bowl team, and keeper of the fearsome “Kwizz Wheezill”.
Mr. Burchett is a self-avowed “information junkie” and thoroughly believes that ALL knowledge is interconnected. He enjoys teaching at TSA because TSA has a student population that rises well to a challenge and because it’s cheaper than therapy. With the precious little spare time remaining him, Mr. Burchett helps run the family farm, and has spent the last 13 years as a roofing contractor.
Jody Harland, Spanish, comes to TSA from Bowling Green where she attended Bowling Green State University and obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Education, majoring in the areas of English and Spanish, as well as a Master’s of Arts in Teaching with a theatre concentration. In the fourth year of her undergraduate career she also studied, via an exchange program, at the University of Alcalá de Henares in Spain. She has had experience teaching language arts, theatre, and Spanish. She also spent a few summers teaching English-as-a-second-language at the Lakota Migrant High School Program. She is especially interested in Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and enjoys creating lessons that focus on a variety of learning styles. Returning for her seventh year at the Toledo School for the Arts she says, “I am ecstatic to be teaching in a school with such talented, diverse, and interesting students. It is a highly artistic, work environment of which I feel blessed to be a part.”
A native of Michigan, Pamela Haywood, Science, grew up among the rolling moraines and kettle lakes of rural Hillsdale County where she attended Jonesville High School, Jonesville, MI. While in high school, she participated in theatre, band, and tennis. Ms. Haywood later graduated from Albion College, Albion, MI with a Bachelor’s degree in geology and archaeological geology. During her time at Albion College, Ms. Haywood had the opportunity to travel much of the United States, including Alaska, to gain hands on experience with North American geology and paleontology. Eventually landing in the graduate geology program at the University of Toledo, Ms. Haywood began further study in sedimentary petrology and the archaeological geology of ancient Egyptian stone quarries. While at UT she discovered the passion for teaching that would lead her to Lourdes College’s teacher education program for biological sciences. In addition to joining the teaching staff at TSA this year, Ms. Haywood has taught earth sciences at Owens Community College for five years. Ms. Haywood has worked as an archaeological geologist for the Duck Lake Site in the Ottawa National Forest, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Dayton Ohio’s Sunwatch Indian Village, The Fossil Park, Sylvania , OH, as well as Tell El-Amarna, Egypt. In her free time Ms. Haywood enjoys, playing drums in the Contemporary Music Group at Corpus Christi University Parish, reading, traveling with friends, hanging out with her wiener dog Ramses, and rock/mineral collecting. She is looking forward to learning with all of her students!
Jennifer Henderson, Language Arts has been a part of the TSA family for three years now and is embarking on her fourth. She has truly begun to embrace all that TSA stands for by reaching out through new art attacks like the Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbon last fall and is planning a new art attack in April called “A Day Without Shoes.” She completed her studies at a variety of different universities; Kent State University, The University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University where she completed her Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction degree.
Jen lives in Gibsonburg with her husband Brian, son Jacob, daughter Emily and two dogs all of which enjoy running in their five acre yard. She also spends much of her free time with her hobbies, which include; scrap booking, reading and jogging.
Kathi Henry, Educational Aide has been with Toledo School of the Arts for two years. She is the paraprofessional for the Junior Division, working with the teachers as well as the students.
Kathi Henry comes to TSA after working three years with Toledo Public Schools as a paraprofessional working with special education students from preschool to high school and also in their computer labs.
Prior to this, Kathi worked at St. Rose School as a teaching assistant in the kindergarten and computer lab working with students from kindergarten through 8th grade. In her spare time she loves to read, write and do crafts.
Giselle Jordan-Savage, Senior Division Paraprofessional, is a native of Virginia, and is a cum laude graduate of Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. She has previously worked as a teacher in Virginia as well as for E. I. DuPont in Front Royal, Virginia and Toledo, Ohio. Giselle has also spent time as a substitute teacher for Toledo Christian Schools and as the guidance assistant at Notre Dame Academy.
Giselle is married to Harvey and has a son, Taylor. She is an active member of her church and spends her time involved in church and family activities.
She is very excited about joining the TSA staff in its mission of educating students in an arts-based learning atmosphere.
Zebulun Kellough, 7th and 8th Grade Science, graduated from Bowling Green State University with his Bachelors of Science (2002) in Middle Childhood Education with a focus in Science and Social Studies. He completed his thesis on Polish University Students’ Perceptions of Culture through Expeditionary Learning and graduated with his Masters in Education in 2004. He has taught physical science at Wickenburg High School, in Wickenburg, Arizona during the 2004-2005 school year. During his stay in Arizona, he was JV-2 boys basketball coach. He has also taught at Roy C. Start high school (social studies) and Englewood Peace Academy (math and science).
Mr. Kellough active with Expedition Inside Culture a tolerance expeditionary program and several other democratic and civic education programs such as International Democratic educational Institute and International Civic Education exchange at BGSU. These opportunities have allowed him to visit many parts of the world and learn many new teaching styles.
Zeb lives in Toledo with his wife, Shannon. He coaches boys junior varsity basketball and occasionally plays with city league teams. He enjoys playing guitar and listening to different genres of music. He currently teaches 7th and 8th grade science and loves it!
Jessica Leatherwood, Spanish, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Toledo in 2007. She received Bachelor degrees in Spanish, Latin American Studies and Education. She studied abroad in Costa Rica in 2005. She upholds a very communicative and engaging classroom accommodating students’ personal learning preferences. She plans to receive a Masters degree in Social and Educational psychology to work on closing the academic achievement gap amongst students, which is her lifetime goal. Jessica looks forward to her experience and cannot wait to become actively involved at TSA stating, “It’s a dream working in a school that makes a difference in students’ lives and the community.”
Ronald Livecchi, Mathematics, is a native Toledoan. He graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor Degree in Education and Mathematics. He has been in education for 17 years and teaching for 15. He has taught many different levels of mathematics from college to high school, but most of my teaching career was at St. Francis de Sales high School and last year he taught at Toledo Academy of Learning.
Mr. Livecchi lives in Toledo with his 2 daughters and his dog. He coaches girls basketball at his daughter's grade school. He enjoys listening to many different genres of music, cooking, and drawing.
Justin Longacre, English is an alumni of the University of Toledo, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in 2006, and was conferred Departmental Honors in English. Mr. Longacre teaches 10th and 11th grade English, as well as a creative writing class. He is the founder and advisor of the Toledo School for the Arts creative writing club. This club stages spoken word performances at local establishments and produces Volume, TSA’s journal of student writing.
Justin lives in Toledo with his wife Stephanie, and two sons, Elijah and Isaac. In his spare time, which officially does not exist, Justin enjoys writing and performing songs, poems and short stories.
Jamie Naragon, Social Studies is a 2003 4.0 gpa Rhodes scholar semi-finalist graduate of Bowling Green State University where she earned numerous academic scholarships. She did her methods and student teaching at Woodward High School in Toledo before coming to TSA. She has remained an active World Studies/Humanities teacher ever since.
While at TSA, Jamie has been very active, having served on the Employee Involvement Committee and the Curriculum Committee. She regularly stage manages numerous productions (for TSA, the Rep, and Central Catholic High School), and is the Film Club advisor. With BGSU, she traveled on an educational research trip to Jordan and Bahrain, and she has also studied at the Humanities Institute at the Phillips Exeter Academy.
She has been named Who's Who Among American High School Teachers, Who's Who Among American Professional Women, and was a finalist for both a teacher exchange to Uzbekistan and two Fullbright Scholarship.
In 2009, Ms. Naragon obtained her master's in Criminal Justice from BGSU.
Lindsey Nickoli, social studies, recently graduated from BGSU cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Middle childhood education with a focus in social studies and science. Currently she has just started her work towards a master’s degree in Masters in the Art of teaching with a history focus. She is originally from Grand Ledge, Michigan. While growing up there she was an active member in band (flute), studied various forms of dance and was on a competitive dance team. After graduation she moved to Ohio to attend BGSU and teach dance at a studio in Holland, Ohio. She has taught various forms of dance at the studio and co-coached their competitive dance team. She also enjoys traveling and spent a month in Australia with International Student Volunteers. She is excited to be at TSA and looks forward to working with the students and staff here.
Heather Patacca, Mathematics, was born and raised in New Philadelphia. She holds an Associates of Science degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Kent State University Tuscarawas Regional Campus. She is also a Bowling Green State University alumnus where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, specializing in Mathematics, Science and Reading. Heather currently resides in Northwood where she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, son, and two chocolate labs.
Lynnette Prucnal, Math and Science, is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s in Earth Systems Science. She is currently attending the University of Toledo mastering in Middle Childhood Education. She spent last year as a building substitute for Ottawa Hills Schools. She lives in the Toledo area with her husband Casey and dogs Pebbles and Chyna. She also spends much of her free time with her hobbies, which include; fishing, camping, and sewing.
Ryan Randolph, General 6th Grade Studies, a native to northwest Ohio, received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University, and spent three years teaching in the sixth grade at the Clyde-Green Springs School District. There, he taught primarily math and science, and also worked with students with a variety of special needs in an inclusion classroom setting. Outside of school, he enjoys reading, writing, musical theatre, and all things related to Star Wars.
Allison Reynolds, Social Studies, graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education, Language Arts and Social Studies. Allison grew-up in Perrysburg Ohio, and was naturally curious about historical culture from a young age. In her youth, Allison studied fine arts, dance, piano and percussion. She performed in concert and show choirs throughout high school. Her involvement in theatrical arts would lead to the achievement of Honor Thespian Status with the National Thespian Society. While attending BGSU, Allison dedicated much of her attention to health and wellness promotion by contributing to educational programming and the development of community events for BGSU’s Student Health Service. Today, (although claiming to be a dog lover) Allison resides in Maumee with two cats-- Tilly and Boo.
Susan Ross, Health, joined TSA in 2000 as our health educator. She earned her Bachelor of Education as a Comprehensive Health Major in addition to an Associate degree in Applied Health Science from the University of Toledo. Her work experience has been in a clinical hospital setting in critical care and floor therapy. Susan spent time in home health care along with being an educational facilitator for area high schools, targeting tobacco intervention and behavior modification. As a health educator, Susan's emphasis is geared toward the student's interaction with their peers and teaches them to compare choices, values, and reactions based upon factual information as they journey toward adulthood.
Tony Schoonover, Social Studies, is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. Tony graduated in May of 2006 and is starting his third year at TSA . He is licensed in Integrated Social Studies and teaches Government and American History. Tony enjoys the students performances and the energy they bring to the classroom. He finds teaching at TSA challenging, yet highly rewarding. Tony feels privileged to be working with such talented students and a caring and cooperative staff.
Kathleen Scott, Language Arts, has been a teacher at Toledo School for the Arts for the past nine years. She holds a Masters of Education and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toledo. Her certification is in Secondary Education, grades 7-12, in English/Language Arts. Presently Ms. Scott teaches 10th and 12th grade English. Ms. Scott sits on the Ohio Graduation Test Writing Rangefinding Committee and has done so for the past three years. She has presented at the 2000 Research on Women in Education Conference, along with participation in various volunteer organizations such as the Sight Center, American Cancer Society, the Cherry Street Mission, and the Sparrow's Nest
Mrs. Scott is also TSA's NHS advisor.
Josh Spiegel, Social Studies, was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio growing up only several minutes’ drive from TSA in the Old West End. While attending Bowling Green State University he did his methods and student teaching at Cory-Rawson Middle School. He graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. While in college Mr. Spiegel was involved in many activities including service trips abroad for those in need. He is married to the love of his life for little more than two years. Mr. Spiegel enjoys being active in the outdoors with Frisbee golf and hiking. This school year Mr. Spiegel is excited to join the faculty and students at Toledo School for the Arts. He hopes to show students the value and importance of social studies in their life’s and in the world around them.
Deanna Tipton, Special Education, is in her second year at Toledo School for the Arts and she shares with us that she feels honored to be a participating member of such a tremendous learning environment. Her greatest passion, in the field of education, is being able facilitate innovative and effective learning environments in support of individual ability levels, as well as individual learning styles. Deanna provides special education services for TSA’s Senior Division, and coordinates the Intervention Assistance Team process, as well as the provision of 504 Plan accommodations for both the Junior and Senior Division students. Deanna completed her undergrad studies at the University of Toledo in 2006, graduating Magna cum laude with a degree in Special Education. In December of 2009, Deanna also graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Masters in Education and Technology Integration. She is currently researching doctoral programs in Special Education at both of her Alma maters, with hopes of attaining her Ph.D. before she turns 60 – She is currently 53 – so the race is on!
Suzanne Van Tuinen, Language Arts and Social Studies, is a 2006 graduate from the University of Toledo with a bachelor in Middle Childhood Education. She spent the last two years working for Sylvania City Schools as a substitute teacher and reading intervention teacher this past year. She is an alumnus of the Toledo Ballet Company under Marie Vogt. Currently she is attending Bowling Green State University working toward a master in Intervention Services. This is Suzanne’s first year teaching 6th grade Social Studies and Language Arts at Toledo School for the Arts. She is looking forward to working with the students and staff at TSA.
Susan Watkins, Business and Marketing Instructor and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator, teaches Introduction to Business, Introduction to Marketing (aka the School Store) and Marketing in the Arts. She graduated Magna cum Laude from Lourdes College with a degree in Business and Marketing, has a Masters of Education from University of Toledo and holds a Career and Technical Education Certificate from UT.
Susan has extensive business experience and has owned her own retail business and has served as an employment and business development consultant. Working with TSA has been her best career move yet. In addition to teaching she chairs the CTE Advisory Committee, sits on the Licensed Professional Development Committee, serves on the TSA Development Committee, manages the school’s media releases, is the Entry Year Teacher Resident Educator program Coordinator and assists her Marketing students in operating the TSA School Store.
In real life she is fortunate to be married to her best friend and has 2 sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law and a grand-daughter.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ms. Zibbel English, is excited to be teaching at Toledo School for the Arts, an institution that she feels is invaluable to its students and Northwest Ohio. She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2009, and there discovered a distinct interest in multicultural literature, along with an intense drive to inspire and reach students of all ability levels and backgrounds. In her free time, Ms. Zibbel can be found reading in a hammock, kayaking the Maumee River, or riding her bike around town and pausing to take pictures. .