Administrative Leadership
Deborah Farquhar Jones
President
dfarquharjones@theelms.org
Studies:
Hiram College:
B.A., Humanities/Fine Arts with a concentration in English, 1984.
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Farquhar Jones’ first grade teacher lives at the Motherhouse Convent -- Sr. Juanita!
Dana Best-Mizsak ‘96
Director of Engagement
dbest-mizsak@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Akron:
B.A., Interdisciplinary Anthropology- specialties in Archaeology & BioAnthropology
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Best-Mizsak has worked with an international excavation team at a castle in Walhain-Saint-Paul Belgium since 2001.
She’s a huge baseball fan- especially the Guardians and the Akron Rubber Ducks. Her dog's name is Mozzarella.
Julie Carpenter
Controller
jcarpenter@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Phoenix
B.S., Accounting, 2003
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Carpenter used to teach music at St. Matthew Parish School and plays the violin and viola professionally. She also loves RV camping with her husband, 3 daughters and 2 dogs.
Amber Hejl
Director of Marketing & Communications
ahejl@theelms.org
Studies:
Greenville University:
B.S., Digital Media, 2005.
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Hejl loves spending time with her family. She enjoys reading alongside a hot cup of Earl Grey tea.
Jennifer Ingraham
Director of Enrollment Management
jingraham@theelms.org
Fun Facts:
Ms. Ingraham enjoys spending time outside, whether it's working in her gardens or walking in the Metroparks with her four children and their rescue dog. On the weekend, she can be found in her sunroom reading or volunteering at a variety of non-profit organizations.
Ms. Ingraham has made volunteering a family event. When possible, she strongly encourages other families to experience the joy of volunteering as well!
Cindy Kellett
Institutional Advancement
ckellett@theelms.org
Studies:
The University of Akron: B.S., Business Administration, Marketing, 1974
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Kellett loves singing in her church choir, attending her grandchildren's school and sports activities, and traveling anywhere that has an art museum to visit. Her three children have flown the coop, making her and her husband empty nesters.
Betsy Stewart
Director of Human Resources
bstewart@theelms.org
Studies:
Walsh University: B.A., Business Administration, 2001
Fun Facts:
Mother of 3 daughters and grandmother of 2 children. Believes in family first. Enjoys traveling to mountainous national parks and visiting historical buildings and cities. She loves to refinish furniture, listen to podcasts, read and margarita Mondays!
Academic Leadership
Gabriel Eiser
Lower School Director,
Grade 4 - Lower School
geiser@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Dayton:
B.S. Early Childhood Education, 2004
Fun Fact:
Mr. Eiser enjoys spending time with his family and proudly embraces his role as a dedicated dance and cheer dad. A passionate Cincinnati sports fan, he’s deeply invested in the Bengals and Reds. His favorite getaway spot is Tybee Island, Georgia, where he loves to relax and unwind.
Walt Jacoby
Director of the Upper School
wjacoby@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Cincinnati:
B.A. History, 1995,
M.A. Secondary Education, 1997
University of Akron:
M.A. Educational Leadership, 2024
Fun Fact:
Mr. Jacoby enjoys kayaking.
Faculty & Staff
Adam Anzelc
Social Studies - Upper School
aanzelc@theelms.org
Studies:
Ohio University:
B.A., Sociology/Criminology, 2005
The University of Akron:
M.S., Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction, 2012
Fun Facts:
Mr. Anzelc is a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan. He enjoys playing golf, reading and spending time with his wife and three kids (Xander, Claire, and Keegan).
Mary Anne Anderson
English Tutor
manderson@theelms.org
Studies:
Kent State University:
B.S. Ed., 1971
M.A. in Education, 1987
Reading Specialization
Ed. S. in Administration, 2002
Certifications:
Permanent English/Language Arts 7-12; Reading K-12; Curriculum & Instruction
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Anderson loves to read and go to the theater. She has three adult daughters (two of whom were Elms grads!) and three delightful grandchildren. She has been married to her husband Bill for more than 50 years.
Kathy Augustyn
Grade 1 - Lower School
kaugustyn@theelms.org
Studies:
Cleveland State University:
B.S.Ed, PreK- 3rd Grade, 2009
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Augustyn has two cats and one dog, all rescue animals. In her free time, she enjoys being with her husband, Wally, their children, Mallory and Danny, and their grandson, Wyatt. A favorite family activity is vacationing in Florida, where they relax on the beach. An avid runner, Mrs. Augustyn has completed multiple half marathons.
James Brown
English - Upper School
jbrown@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Illinois:
B.A., English, 1992
Xavier University:
M.Ed., Secondary Education, 1997
Fun Facts:
Some of Mr. Brown’s favorite things include expensive socks, feisty wrens, Cincinnati-style chili, independent bookstores, reading a book during a thunderstorm, mountain biking in autumn, Frost, Twain and Dickinson, silliness, fresh snow, Inuit art, football teams with the color orange in their uniforms, raspberry jam on buttered toast with tea, and early REM sleep.
Erika Bugaj
Title Teacher
ebugaj@theelms.org
Studies:
College of Central Florida:
Masters in Elementary Education with Reading and ESOL endorsements, Minor in Spanish
Certification:
Ohio- P-3 Teaching Certificate, Florida- K-6 Teaching Certificate with Reading and ESOL endorsements.
Fun Fact:
Mrs. Bugaj was born in Central America (Nicaragua), she speaks, reads, and writes proficiently in Spanish. She loves creating projects on her Cricut.
Amy Cullen
Athletic Director
acullen@theelms.org
Karen Cullen
Intervention Specialist
kcullen@theelms.org
Studies:
The University of Akron: B.S., Elementary Education, 1984, B.S., Developmental Handicap Education, 1997,
Certifications:
Early Learning Preschool Certification
Elaine Dria
Mathematics Tutor - Upper School
edria@theelms.org
Studies:
Ashland College:
B.S., Mathematics, 1985
Wright State University:
M.S., Teacher Leadership, 2001
Certifications:
National Board Certification
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Dria enjoys sewing and quilting. She has two cats and one dog.
Kit Dubravetz
Office Manager- Lower School
kdubravetz@theelms.org
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Dubravetz enjoys archery, hiking, and biking with her family. She also enjoys visiting historical buildings, interior design, and reading.
Kathryn Dull-Watts
Visual Arts - Lower School
kwatts@theelms.org
Studies:
Kent State University:
B.F.A, Art & Art Education
Certifications:
5 Year Professional Special All Grades (K-12) License
Fun Facts:
Ms. Dull-Watts enjoys spending time with family and friends. Some of her favorite activities are gardening, walking, camping, and watching baseball.
Natalie Ely
Music Teacher
nely@theelms.org
Studies:
Liberty University, B.M. Choral Music Education, 2022
Elaine Fippin
English, Film History & Appreciation - Upper School
efippin@theelms.org
Studies:
Otterbein University:
B.A., Speech and Theater, 1985
University of Akron, 1987
Certifications:
Secondary Teaching Certification, English
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Fippin enjoys reading, walking, theater, movies and spending time with family and friends. Elaine and her family love Williamsburg, Boston, D.C., and New York. They share their home with their cat, Linus. She also has fun coaching the high school writing team and speech and debate. She has directed more than thirty plays at the Elms.
Steven Liptak
Middle School
sliptak@theelms.org
Studies:
Bluffton University, B.A. Middle Childhood Education Science and Social Studies, Minor in Coaching,
Kim Lucas
Dance Teacher
klucas@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Akron:
M.A., Arts Administration
B.A., Sociology with Business Emphasis
Minor, Dance
A.A.S., Business Marketing
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Lucas loves working out, doing crafts, and teaching dance. She especially enjoys spending time with her family. Mrs. Lucas taught grade school and dance for over 15 years.
Rebecca Gravenstein
Mathematics - Upper School
rgravenstein@theelms.org
Studies:
The Ohio State University:
B.S., Computer and Information Science, 1985
The University of Akron:
M.S., Education & Integrated Mathematics, 2008
Fun Facts:
Ms. Gravenstein has three amazing children - Viktor, Paige, and Amy, a 2017 Elms alum. She likes to ski, fish, and camp. She is a fan of the former Cleveland Indians and the Browns. Her favorite food is salmon. Her favorite travel destination is any beach - the best so far was in Peschici, Italy.
Danielle Hale
Kindergarten - Lower School
dhale@theelms.org
Studies:
Ohio University:
B.S., Journalism
Walden University: M., Early Childhood Studies
Mount Vernon University:
Early Childhood Education Licensure Program
Certifications:
Pre-School - Grade 3
Fun Facts:
Miss Hale taught preschool for six years before teaching 3rd grade for three years at the Elms. She has a cat named Hope and loves all things Disney! She enjoys spending her weekends with family and friends or reading a good book.
Anna Hall
English, Study Skills - Upper School
annahall@theelms.org
Studies:
Kent State University:
B.S., Journalism, 1981
University of Akron:
M.S., Education with Licensure, Secondary Education, Integrated Language Arts, 2004
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Hall’s roots in the Elms run deep! She and her sister are both alums- class of '77 and ‘75 respectively. Her daughter Angie graduated in 2009. She and her husband were host parents to two Elms students from China, one of whom graduated in 2016. Outside school, she still writes news and feature articles and is an academic life coach.
Scott Harrison
Maintenance
sharrison@theelms.org
Jennifer Hasbach
Grade 3 - Lower School
jhasbach@theelms.org
LaTisca Henderson-Watkins
School Counselor
lhenderson-watkins@theelms.org
Studies:
Kent State University:
B.A., Psychology, 2016
M. Ed. School Counseling, 2021
Fun Facts:
Ms. Henderson-Watkins enjoys reading historical fiction and memoirs. She is the oldest of eight siblings and loves playing video games in her free time.
Chelsea Hood
Grade 2 - Lower School
chood@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Dayton:
Early Childhood Education, 2012
Certifications:
4th and 5th Grade Endorsement, Pre-K Special Needs Endorsement, Infant and Toddler Endorsement
Fun Facts:
Ms. Hood loves to explore new parks and hike on new trails. She enjoys swimming and participated water polo in college. She is a huge Browns fan. She also loves to travel. One of her favorite spots to visit is Florida. She has 2 cats, Mo and Chance. They are her fur babies and are very spoiled. She likes to go out with her friends and family to farmers markets and new restaurants..
Tia Jameson
Art - Upper School
tjameson@theelms.org
Studies:
Kent State University:
B.A., Art Education
Minor in Secondary Education, 1991
Fun Facts:
Ms. Jameson enjoys spending time with her daughter, son-in-law, family and friends! She also likes creating in a variety of forms, running, playing guitar, and making home improvements with help from her kitty, Sherlie.
Alise Johnson
Grade 2 - Lower School
ajohnson@theelms.org
Studies:
Kent State University: B.S., Early Childhood Education, 2023
Curtrese Jones
Instructional Aide
cjones@theelms.org
Nada Kahwaji
School Health Aide
nkahwaji@theelms.org
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Kahwaji loves Cleveland sports and traveling to Beirut, Lebanon. She has one dog, Jax, and enjoys walking!
Heidi Ledbetter
Theology - Upper School
hledbetter@theelms.org
Studies:
Ursuline College:
B.A., English, 1998
The University of Akron:
M.A., in English, 2000
Walsh University:
M.A., in Theology, 2016
Certifications:
High School Master Catechist Certification from the Diocese of Cleveland
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Ledbetter is married and has four children. Her daughters attend Our Lady of the Elms. She loves to read and crochet. Her favorite thing is to spend time at the beach with her family.
Kellie Ulatoski
Cafeteria Manager - Lower School
kulatowski@theelms.org
Kelly Luck
Mathematics - Upper School
kluck@theelms.org
Studies:
Ashland University:
B.A., Mathematics, 2020
B.S.Ed., Integrated Mathematics
Fun Facts:
Miss Luck has traveled to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Greece. She has one pet guinea pig named Percy who has visited her classroom. She loves reading and working on jigsaw puzzles.
Corrine Mack
Math, Panther Productions & STEM - Upper School
cmack@theelms.org
Studies:
Ashland College:
B.S.,Education, 2002
John Carroll University:
M.A. Mathematics, 2007
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Mack enjoys watching movies, reading, kayaking with family, and sports. She and her husband John have two daughters.
Veronica Maskow
Grade 5 - Lower School
vmaskow@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Mount Union:
B.A., Media Studies, focusing on Print Media, 2004
Walsh University:
M.A., Education, focusing in Reading Literacy, 2012
Certifications:
Middle Childhood Education concentrating in Math and Language Arts, 4-6 Generalist Endorsement
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Maskow’s favorite hobbies include painting, swimming, and walking trails with her husband and two kids. She has a labradoodle (Sadie) and a cat named Corabelle (aka Giggly). She loves traveling to Carolina Beach, Hilton Head, and Savannah. Mrs. Maskow dreams of visiting Australia and Iceland.
Jalen Peeples
Office Manager - Upper School
jpeeples@theelms.org
Studies:
Kent State University: B.S., Biology, 2023
Fun Facts:
Mr. Peeples is a seasoned rugby player with 11 years of experience and a passionate foodie with an insatiable appetite for culinary adventures.
Janelle Puryear
Enrollment Management Assistant
jpuryear@theelms.org
Marina Ristev
Middle School
mristev@theelms.org
Studies:
Miami University Ohio: B.S., Education, Integrated English Language Arts Grades 7-12
Fun Facts:
Ms. Ristev’s love language is food and butter. Nothing makes her happier than cooking and eating with family and friends. She enjoys cultivating relationships with local farmers that help feed her family.
Holly Schrantz
Middle School
hschrantz@theelms.org
Studies:
Kent State University: B.S., Middle Childhood Education Grades 4-9 Math & ELA, 2013
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Schrantz welcomed her second baby boy into the world, Elias, in June 2024 and stays busy with her husband raising their two boys (Cole and Elias) and two step-daughters (Karsyn and Laural).
Mrs. Schrantz enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out at Orange Theory Fitness, running, hiking, and vacationing at the beach.
Angela Scherer
Integrated Sciences - High School
ascherer@theelms.org
Alison Schuster
Preschool - Lower School
aschuster@theelms.org
Hannah Stump
Grade 3 - Lower School
hstump@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Akron:
B.S., Early Childhood Inclusive Education PK-3, 2023
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Stump enjoys spending quality time with her family, whether they’re hiking, swimming, baking, or crafting together. She also loves taking walks with her beloved golden retriever, embracing the outdoors and staying active.
Lama Tawk-Cota
French, Physics - Upper School
ltawk-cota@theelms.org
Studies:
American University of Beirut: B.S, 2007 and M.S., 2014 Ecosystem Management & Environmental Sciences
Kent State University, PhD Candidate, Computational Ecology
Dominic Tomei
Spanish, Physical Education - Upper School
dtomei@theelms.org
Studies:
University of Akron:
B.A., Spanish, 2016
Fun Facts:
Señior Tomei has played and coached rugby for 20 years! He loves dogs, traveling (anywhere, anytime) and all kinds of foods.
Carol Ungvarsky
Chemistry - Upper School
cungvarsky@theelms.org
Studies:
John Carroll University:
B.S., M.Ed.
Cuyahoga Community College:
A.S., Applied Science
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Ungvarsky enjoys bowling, tennis, and cycling. Her favorite movie is Gone With the Wind. She loves seafood! Her favorite travel destination is Hilton Head. She is a pet owner of cats, dogs, a gecko, a snake, and a fish.
Jean Varian
Title I Tutor
jvarian@theelms.org
Studies:
Xavier University: B.S., Early Childhood Education, 2004
Ursuline College, M.Ed., Reading Literacy, 2006
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Varian is married to Doug and they have 3 children together (Audrey, Andrew and Ellie). In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, coaching soccer, practicing yoga, and playing tennis.
Karen Wolf
Title I Tutor
kwolf@theelms.org
Studies:
John Carroll University:
B.A., Elementary Education, 2001
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Wolf loves spending time with her five children and husband. She loves plants and flowers. She loves to take photos in her spare time and is always happy to have a cup of coffee.
Lucy Yang
Chinese - Upper School
lyang@theelms.org
Studies:
Jiangxi University of Technology, B.A., English, 2014
The Ohio State University: Alternative Resident Educator License Program
Certifications:
Alternative Resident Educator Multi Age (P-12) License
Fun Facts:
Ms. Yang is from China. She enjoys crocheting and reading. She loves to travel and has been to over half the provinces in China. Ms. Yang also traveled to South Korea and Canada. Before she went to University, she did not know how to speak English at all.
Carolyn Ziegler
Health & Physical Education - Lower School
cziegler@theelms.org
Studies:
The University of Akron:
B.S., Physical Education; K-12 certification
B.A., Health Education; K-12 certification
Certifications:
NASM: Youth Exercise Specialist Certification
Certificate Life Span Development & Gerontology
AFAA Group Exercise Instructor Certification
CPR certified through AHA
Fun Facts:
Ms. Ziegler’s favorite activities include hiking and biking in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Summit County Metro Parks. She has family in the most amazing places and enjoys visiting them there--Vermont, Colorado, San Francisco and Northern Michigan.
Sarah Zetts
Grade 4 - Lower School
szetts@theelms.org
Studies:
The University of Akron: B.S., Middle -Level Education
Certifications:
5-year Provisional Middle-Level License
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Zetts is passionate about her Catholic faith. She’s also an avid reader, enjoys running and exercising, and loves cats! Additionally, she enjoys traveling, boating, and creating new meals on her Traeger smoker.