With a fabulous breakfast, and a Lolly the Trolley ride of the area, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District welcomed 15 new staff members to the educational community. Current employees of the district turned out to support the new hires including several board members and the Superintendent, as well as several community leaders.
“This district has been so welcoming, warm and committed,” said Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby who also joined the District in August. “The fact that board members, staff, and colleagues all came out to meet and support everyone speaks to the district you have joined. This is a family and people are committed to a mission here.”
Kirby, a native Clevelander, joins the Heights District after 23 years as a teacher, principal and school administrator in Chicago.
Science teacher Katie Buettner said she was excited to join the staff at Heights High School. Over the past five years, Buettner, a Geauga County resident, formerly taught at Kirtland High School and Notre Dame Cathedral Latin. “Heights High School is gorgeous,” she said. “This will be a chance for me to reach out a bit. I anticipate that it will be challenging, but an opportunity to experience and learn a lot.”
Willoughby resident Kyle Baker said he was ready to get started as a math teacher at Heights High. Baker, formerly of Lorain City Schools said he was looking to join a district where he could make a difference.
“I love that this District built the new high school around the original building,” he said. “That tells me that tradition is important here and I like that. I have already met with my department chair who is so very nice. I will be teaching new classes that I have not taught before such as AP Stats. I am excited to get into something new.”
In addition to Baker and Buettner, the following individuals have joined the District:
Stephanie Buda, Science Teacher – Heights High School Sarah Coyne, Guidance Counselor – Roxboro Elementary Kathryn Dilger, Speech Language Pathologist – District Tyeasha Doss, First Grade Teacher – Oxford Elementary Kelly Gaines, Kindergarten Teacher – Canterbury Elementary Tanisha Jackson, Speech Language Pathologist – District Lia Long, Nurse – Boulevard/Noble Elementary Nicholas Marzoula, Band Teacher – Heights High School Lena McCoy, Nurse – Monticello Middle/Oxford Elementary Tiesha McEwen, Long-Term Sub Guidance Counselor – Heights High School Brittany Salone, First Grade Teacher – Gearity Elementary Angela Spilker, 8th Grade Math/Science – Roxboro Middle Andrew Susick, Vocal Music Teacher – Roxboro Middle
Coleman Tokar, High School Math/MS Geometry – Heights High School/Monticello Middle
