Merlyna Valentine
Merlyna Valentine, Transformational Leadership Principal, National Speaker, Author & Consultant Merlyna Valentine is an accomplished educator, national speaker, author, consultant, trainer, and owner of Merlyna Valentine Consulting, LLC. As a well-respected educator for over thirty years, Merlyna served as a teacher, principal, and executive director in a highly successful school district. Her transformational leadership as […]
Angela Harper
Angela Harper, Turnaround Specialist – Principal Mason Community Learning Center Akron Public Schools Angela Harper is an educational leader. Miss Harper received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Immediately following her undergraduate, she attended University of Akron where she received a Master’s degree in Special Education and […]
Jeff Gargas
Jeff Gargas, COO, Progressive Mastery Learning / Teachbetter.com Jeff Gargas is the COO and co-founder of Progressive Mastery Learning (Creators of The Grid Method and Teach Further). He works with educators to increase student engagement and improve student success. He also offers 1-on-1 coaching for teachers who have a product or idea they want to […]
Jessica Stiffler
Jessica Stiffler, English Teacher, Hudson High School Jessica Stiffler has taught 18 years at Hudson High School and currently teaches H2BE and Honors English 9. Named Hudson High Teacher of the Year in 2015, she previously worked as a journalist before changing careers to pursue her passion of teaching. This National Board Certified teacher earned […]
Susan Conroy
Susan Conroy, Biology Teacher, Hudson High School Susan Conroy has taught 27 years at Hudson High School. Currently she teaches H2BE and AP Bio while coordinating and supervising the ACT and SAT standardized tests. This master teacher has earned several Shining Apple awards for her grant writing, educational advancements, and STEM innovation. She holds degrees […]
Michelle Jones
Michelle Jones, Instructional Specialist, Jennings CLC, Akron Public Schools Dr. Michelle Jones began her career with The Akron Public Schools teaching English Language Arts, Science and Social Studies in grades 6 and 7 from 2001-2015. Dr. Jones received her Bachelor Degree in 2000 from The University of Akron and Masters Degree in 2005. During […]
Gus Farmakidis
Gus Farmakidis, Media Specialist, Jennings ClC, Akron Public Schools Dr. Gus Farmakidis has spent the last 20 years teaching History, Technology, Instructional Design and Technology integration. Dr. Farmakidis has spent time as an educator at St. Augustine School in Barberton, Southeast Local in Ravenna, Multi-Juvenile Correction Facility in Canton, The University of Akron (part-time), and […]
Sam Crews
Sam Crews, Ohio STEM Learning Network Manager – Akron Hub, Akron Public Schools In his third year managing the OSLN Akron Hub, Sam has been a science and maths educator with the Akron Public Schools for over 20 years. A founding faculty member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM School now in its […]
Susan Molnar
Susan Molnar, Fourth Grade Teacher, Cornerstone Community School Susan Molnar is the fourth grade teacher at Cornerstone Community School in Tallmadge, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Mount Union. Susan has a heart for helping girls to see themselves as highly capable in both math and computer science. […]
Shana McFeaters
Shana McFeaters, Second Grade Teacher, Cornerstone Community School Shana McFeaters teaches at Cornerstone Community School in Tallmadge, Ohio. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Malone University. This past year, Shana collaborated with co-workers to promote girls as STREAM leaders using robotics. Shana believes the power of developing meaningful relationships is critical to […]