New Teaching Staff Introduced at August 16, 2023, Chagrin Falls Schools Board Meeting
From left to right: Jessica Ross (High School Assistant Principal), Martin Ratcliff (Middle School Intervention Specialist), Jakob Wells (Gurney School Intervention Specialist), Anne Schlup (Intermediate School Counselor), Samantha Genchock (Middle School RTI Teacher), Tara Gallo (Middle School ELA Teacher), Bryan McKenzie (Intermediate School - Fifth Grade Teacher), Amanda Rassi (High School Principal)
Not Pictured; Terry Lardell (Middle School - French Teacher), Alexa Nahra (High School - Science Teacher)
Read more about our new teachers and administrators . . .
Terry Lardell - Middle School - World Language - French
Returning - not present at meeting
Mr. Terry Lardell has previously been employed as a half time French teacher at the Middle School for three school years from 2020 through 2022. Last school year, Mr. Lardell was a long term substitute for a High School Spanish teacher that was on leave and he also served as a building sub near the end of the school year. Terry is a teacher that retired from Mayfield Schools after 30 years of excellent service prior to his service to Chagrin Schools. Mr. Lardell has done an excellent job in teaching French at the Middle School and we are grateful for him returning to this position.
Tara Gallo - Middle School ELA
Tara Gallo moved to Cleveland in July 2022 with her husband for his residency program. She previously taught 5th Grade Language Arts and supervised the Academic Challenge Club in Amherst Exempted Village Schools. Prior, she taught 6th and 7th grade Language Arts in New Jersey for four years. She was an advisor for the National Elementary Honors Society for her last two years in New Jersey. This will be her 6th year in education. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Education. She holds various licenses which include Administrative Specialist, Primary (Pre-K to 5), Middle Childhood (4-9) Language Arts & Reading, and Intervention Specialist (K-12). Tara enjoys fundraising for the Parkinson’s Foundation and she participated in the Moving Day Walk Columbus in October 2022. Her hobbies include baking, cooking, reading, and yoga. Tara is excited to join your team as a 7th & 8th Grade ELA Teacher.
Samantha Genshock - Middle School - RTI (maybe based on family consideration)
Samantha Genshock is coming to Chagrin with 11 years of teaching experience, and is excited to get started in a wonderful district so close to home! Samantha grew up near Chagrin Falls, and graduated from Kenston High School in 2007. She went to Ohio University where she graduated with a Middle Childhood Education degree in 2011, and went on to get her Masters degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in 2016. She started her teaching career in Charlotte, North Carolina teaching 8th grade
Social Studies for three years, and returned home to Cleveland to be closer to family. Upon returning home, she taught various grades as a long-term sub for 2 years. Following that, she has been teaching 5th grade Language Arts and Socials Studies for the last six years. Each placement holds a special place in
her heart, and she has grown so much as an educator from these experiences. Samantha has been married for almost seven years, she and her husband have a three year old named Barrett, and a one year old named Beau. They definitely keep them busy! Samantha also has two dogs named Kenai and Wilbur, and are all big Cleveland sports, and Ohio State fans in their house! She is very family oriented, and loves spending as much time with family as possible! She is thrilled to be working in such a wonderful district, and she is so excited for this new adventure. Thank you for this amazing opportunity! Go Tigers!
Bryan McKenzie - Intermediate School - Grade 5
Bryan McKenzie is an experienced educator who has served as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal and instructional supervisor. He holds graduate degrees in instructional technology, curriculum and instruction and administration from Kent State University. His career began as a fifth grade teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia, and is returning from Charlotte, North Carolina where he most recently worked as the Lower School Technology Specialist at the Providence Day School. Bryan looks forward to joining the Chagrin Falls Intermediate School faculty as a fifth-grade teacher for the upcoming school year.
Alexa Nahra - High School - Science
Alexa Nahra began her teaching journey at Buchtel High School in Akron. She graduated from John Carroll University with a double major in biology and education and a minor in chemistry. In the past Alexa has enjoyed performing research at the Cleveland Clinic under the guidance of Dr. Ellen Rome. Additionally, she shared that she served children ages from 5-18 years old at Game On Autistic Camp.
One of her references spoke very highly of Ms. Nahra shared about her extended professional comment. They said, “In Akron our students face a myriad of challenges; academic, personal, and familial. Because of this, Alexa is very adaptable and flexible with students' attitudes, schedules, and family situations. She frequently attends after school functions to let the students know that their teacher is there supporting them. She cares about her students and tries to assist whenever she can, while still holding them accountable for their behaviors and work academically.” A colleague said of Alexa that she is strict, supportive, and fair. She looks forward to joining Chagrin Falls High School.
Martin Ratcliff - Middle School Intervention Specialist
Marty Ratcliffe graduated from Ursuline College with a Master’s of Arts in Education in Special Education and holds a K-12 Intervention Specialist teaching license. He completed his student-teaching at Solon Middle School where he worked with students in the intense intervention resource room. During the 2022/23 school year he was an Intervention Specialist at Willoughby South High School supporting students in Algebra and Biology. Marty is a volunteer coach for the Chagrin Lacrosse Clubs most recently coaching the 7th & 8th-grade girls lacrosse team. His hobbies include boating, lacrosse, Cleveland sports, gardening, or just being outside. Marty resides in South Russell with his wife Bridget and four children. Marty is passionate about special education and is looking forward to working with students and helping them reach their goals!
Jakob Wells - Gurney - Intervention Specialist
Jakob Wells graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2021 with a mild/moderate-moderate/severe Intervention Specialist degree, He has worked the past two years in the Avon School System (both long-term maternity leave positions). The first year was spent at Avon Heritage teaching 5th grade. This past year, he was a first grade Intervention Specialist at Avon East Elementary School. Jakob is currently working towards obtaining his reading endorsement. He likes to spend his free time with his dog, Coco, traveling and relaxing at home. Jakob is very excited to join the staff at Gurney Elementary.
Anne Schluep - Intermediate School - School Counselor
Annie Schluep completed her undergraduate degree at The University of Mount Union with a Bachelor's Degree in Middle Childhood Education. She began her teaching career at Clearmount Elementary School in North Canton as a 4th grade teacher, then went on to teach 6th grade Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies at North Canton Middle School. Annie received her master's degree from The University of Akron in school counseling and began her counseling career as a high school counselor at Northwest High School. While teaching at North Canton, she coached high school girls' basketball and middle school volleyball. In the past few years as a school counselor, she has coached Girls on the Run, volunteered at One of a Kind Pets, and participated annually in Bountiful Gift's backpack program and holiday collections for families in need. Her hobbies include hiking with her family, staying active with her dog, Ben, and playing the piano. Annie can't wait to get started as a school counselor at Chagrin Falls Intermediate School.
ADMIN
Amanda Rassi - High School Principal
Amanda Rassi, who has served as assistant principal of Chagrin Falls High School (CFHS) since 2015, has been named the next principal of the school. She replaces Mike Janatovich, who left the District to become the principal of Independence High School. She will officially be approved at the July 19 Board of Education meeting.
As assistant principal of CFHS, Rassi oversaw student services at the building level, such as clubs and activities, Link Crew, Tiger Perk, Bridge to the World, Senior Project, and community service projects. At the District level, she is the committee chair for the District Safety Committee and worked closely in the safety and security plans for the district.
Prior to joining Chagrin Falls High School, Rassi was the assistant principal at Maple Heights High School. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate work at Kent State University. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 2008. Her Master’s degree was obtained in 2013 in the field of Educational Administration. She is also a member of several professional education organizations.
Jen Bencko, Director of Pupil Services for Chagrin Falls Schools said, “In my time working with Amanda, I have been impressed with the relationships she has built with staff, students and families. I’m confident that under her leadership, we will continue to build a strong sense of community for our District.”
Over 15 applicants applied for the position over a 10-day posting window. Following a screening process, first round interviews were held with an administrative team on July 5. Three candidates were invited to a final round interview on Thursday July 6 with more than 20 stakeholders including students, parents, high school teachers representing various departments, classified staff, and administrators. The interview team’s feedback was strongly in favor of Ms. Rassi as the clear choice for the next principal of Chagrin Falls High School.
“Ms. Rassi has served eight years as assistant high school principal and has gone above and beyond to serve students, staff, parents and community,” said Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Penczarski, Chagrin Falls Schools. “Her commitment to Chagrin students, staff and families is something we heard over and over again from the interview committee and that she could have easily left over the eight years to take a principal position elsewhere but she was dedicated to our students and families which means something and she truly understands our community. Ms. Rassi represents our District vision through the work she has done by inspiring all members of our school community to grow and thrive.”
“I am humbled and honored to become the next principal of Chagrin Falls High School,” said Rassi. “Having been a part of this exceptional community as assistant principal, I am fully aware of how remarkable our staff, students, and families are and I look forward to continuing to serve them in this new role.”
Jessica Ross - Assistant Principal High School
Chagrin Falls Schools Hire New High School Assistant Principal
At the July 19 Board of Education meeting, Jessica Ross was hired as the new assistant high school principal. She is replacing Amanda Rassi who also was Board approved as the next high school principal. There were 22 applicants for the assistant principal position. Five individuals were screened and two were finalists.
Ross previously was associate principal of Medina High School. As part of her responsibilities, Ross created and facilitated professional development for 135 faculty members in productive deeper learning experiences and student engagement. She also built collaborative school-wide relationships, coaching teachers and utilizing individualized teacher goals to facilitate constructive growth-centered conversations. Ross managed the special education department and supervised 16 instructional paraprofessionals to help navigate student challenges, student relationships and schedules based on student needs. In addition she facilitated the high school multi-tiered systems of support team, implemented a restorative-based approach to discipline, forming positive relationships with families and students through difficult situations.
Prior to working in Medina City schools, she taught fifth-grade math in Solon and West Geauga. She also taught sixth-grade math and science in New York. She received her Principal Licensure in the Inspired Leaders Program at Cleveland State University. She also has a M.S. in Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York, NY as well as a B.A. in Economics from Amherst College in Amherst, MA. She is a member of the Women’s Leadership Committee of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators.
Ross resides in Chagrin Falls and has two children. They attend Gurney Elementary and the Intermediate School.
"We are excited to welcome Jessica Ross as the new assistant principal of Chagrin Falls High School starting in the 2023-2024 school year,” said Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski, Chagrin Falls Schools. “As a valued member of our school community, Jessica's dedication and her genuine care for both students and staff make her an exceptional addition to our leadership team. Having invested in our educational system through her children’s attendance at Gurney and CFIS, Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of what our District values and believes. We have full confidence in her commitment to inspire our students to grow and thrive.”
“Chagrin Falls Schools is an excellent District that promotes academic success and wellbeing,” said Ross. “Staff and community members have high expectations and care deeply about the school system. I look forward to becoming a valuable asset to the school community and making a positive impact on the students and staff at Chagrin Falls High School.”