Who We Are
Staff & Faculty
Aimee Kennedy, Principal
Aimee is beginning her 5th year at Metro, a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) school on the campus of The Ohio State University, where she is concurrently pursuing a PhD in Educational Administration. Her experience as an educator, firmly rooted in the belief that all students can achieve at high levels, has included several opportunities to design professional development and lead reform.
Aimee is currently the liaison between Metro and Battelle for Kids as they pilot the use of ACT End-of-Course Exams. She has presented at CES Fall Forum about mastery learning, and she presented about Ohio’s Credit Flex policy at the Ohio School Board Association conference. She has also held leadership roles in Ohio’s High School Transformation Initiative, Ohio’s Early College initiative, and Ohio’s Literacy initiative.
She began her teaching career at The Freshman Academy in Canton City Schools--one of Ohio’s “Big 8” Urban Districts. During her career in Canton City Schools, Aimee worked at the Freshmen Academy and McKinley Senior High School; she has been a team leader, the English Department Chair, a Literacy Specialist, and Summer School Principal. Her varied experiences as a classroom teacher and teacher leader include building quality relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders and designing lessons that are engaging and authentic to her students.
Aimee completed her undergraduate degree at Malone College, with a major in Communications Comprehensive, and earned a Master's in Education and principal licensure at the University of Akron. She will complete the requirements for her superintendent’s license in the Fall of 2011. She continues to work on her PhD, and expects to complete it by Spring of 2012.
Diana Wolterman, Battelle Project Manager in Residence
Diana Wolterman is the Battelle Project Manager in Residence at Metro. A Battelle staff member for more than 28 years, Wolterman has a background in finance and program administration. Her role at Metro has grown from tracking the progress during the planning phase to serving as Battelle’s liaison full time at the school.
Wolterman is the point-of-contact and initiator for collaborative efforts involving Battelle and its partners such as The Ohio State University, the PAST Foundation, Metro staff, students and parents, and the Educational Council and its affiliated programs. She coordinates volunteers and develops plans to support STEM-related efforts in the central Ohio region. Wolterman strives to communicate to partners, stakeholders, educators, the general public and other interested parties the innovative activities and events in the school in order to broaden the impact of Metro as a STEM-school model for the state and the nation. Check out her blog: www.battelle.org/metro.
Mari Burgett, Communications Coordinator
Mari Burgett is Communications Coordinator for Metro and the Educational Council and serves as college application and senior activity coordinator for each year's graduating class. Having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from The Ohio State University, she worked as a broadcast television assistant and general assignment newspaper reporter for several years before transitioning to a school environment. In the early 90s, she worked with the Pickaway County Head Start program as a home-based instructor and family advocate. Her responsibilities included management of parent communications for the agency. After taking a leave to be a stay-at-home wife and mother, she served as a Parent Consultant with Columbus City Schools before joining Metro.
Burgett is a native of Puerto Rico. She and her husband Ed have three children, the oldest of which is a Metro graduate.
Kathy Fries, Business Manager
As Metro's Business Manager, Kathy Fries takes care of "things." She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Franklin University and comes to Metro via the Ohio Center for Essential School Reform, where the idea of Metro originated. Previously, she served as general manager for Huntington Clothiers, a $20 million men's clothing company.
Fries works closely with students, parents and staff to ensure all aspects of the Metro program run smoothly. She and her husband have two fabulous sons who attend The Ohio State University.
Andrew Allmandinger, Mathematics and Design Learning Center
Andrew Allmandinger completed his undergraduate studies at Capital University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in integrated mathematics with a 7-12th grade teaching license. He is currently working on a Master's in School Administration with a principal's license at The Ohio State University.
While at Capital, Allmandinger worked as a math tutor and completed his senior student teaching experience at Metro. Last year, he taught at Pickerington High School Central, which is also his Alma Mater. At Metro, he teaches math and oversees Metro's Design Learning Center. Hosted at Dublin Coffman High School, Design focuses on engineering and robotics and includes Metro's robotics competition team, the Metrobots. Allmandinger is excited to be part of Metro's staff and is ready to help students reach their full potential.
Marla Baker, Visual Arts
As Metro's visual arts instructor, Marla Baker is responsible for building the school's comprehensive creative arts curriculum. Through classroom study, hands-on studio work and community arts discovery, students are challenged to develop the creative thinking skills and perceptual awareness for understanding and producing art.
A seasoned creative arts instructor, Baker has 15 years of instructional experience, having directed arts programs at the elementary, middle, junior high, and high school levels. She has taught for Logan Elm Schools, Groveport Madison Local Schools, and Dublin City Schools. Baker earned a Bachelor's in Art Education from Capital University and a Master's in Education from The College of Mount St. Joseph and has attended numerous graduate level courses at The Ohio State University and Ohio University. Baker is eager to share her passion and love for art with her students and is excited about the interdisciplinary art program at Metro.
Tamara Beilke, Science
Tamara Beilke teaches Environmental Science and Chemistry. She earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Saint Louis University with a minor in mathematics. While at SLU, she worked in a research group that focused on the development of a biodegradable polymer to be used in enzymatic biofuel cells. She moved to Columbus to attend graduate school at The Ohio State University, where she earned a Master of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Education in secondary science. She is very excited to be a member of the Metro staff.
Andrew Bruening, PhD, Lead Science and Co-Dean of Students
Andrew Bruening has an extensive background in the sciences with a Bachelor's degree in Marine Geology from Eckerd College and a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of South Carolina (USC). He has taught at the high school and collegiate level, including high school Physics and Earth Science classes from 1998 to 2001 and laboratory and undergraduate courses while a graduate student at USC.
At Metro, Bruening has taught science, engineering, senior research and Robotics at Metro's Learning Center at COSI. He is faculty advisor for Metro's FIRST Robotics team (Metrobots) and has mentored several teams to the National Society of Black Engineers Regional and National Lego Robotics Championships. His innovative experiential techniques demonstrate his enjoyment of teaching and have provided students with mastery level concepts and ideas. He believes in involving students in research as much as possible and works to incorporate his own research experiences into the classroom.
James Daniels, Mathematics
James Daniels has worked in the field of education for over 24 years. He attended Eastern Michigan University and earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership. In addition, he has a Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. He began teaching middle school math and science in Florida, then moved to Georgia and finally to Ohio. During his career, he has served as teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, principal and headmaster.
Originally from Michigan, Daniels remains a loyal Wolverine fan, but loves The Ohio State University. He joins Metro as a math instructor.
Peter DeWitt, Biology and Chemistry
Peter DeWitt teaches biology and chemistry and has been an integral part of the development and dissemination of Metro's biomedical science program, Bodies.
DeWitt earned a B.S. in Biology (evolution and ecology) from The Ohio State University. During his time as an undergraduate, he served as president of OSU’s Mountaineering Club, leading several interstate rock climbing, backpacking, fly fishing, and mountaineering trips. He earned his Master’s in Secondary Science Education (with a life sciences and chemistry concentration) from The Ohio State University.
In addition to outdoor adventures, DeWitt enjoys photography, woodworking, and acoustic guitars. As a science teacher, he looks forward to the opportunities available for his students at Metro. He is excited about the collaborative efforts with Battelle and OSU, the small class sizes, and the emphasis on conceptual understanding afforded by the mastery system. He is keenly interested in both the academic and personal growth of his students.
Patrick Frase, Social Studies
Patrick Frase teaches Social Science and Wellness. Originally from Akron, he came to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University, where he earned a B.A. in Integrated Social Studies and a Masters in Education in Social Studies, 7-12. After college, Frase spent time substitute teaching with Columbus City Schools, South-Western City Schools, and Metro. In addition, he taught 7th grade World History at Pleasant View Middle School in Grove City.
At the core of his educational beliefs, Frase seeks to develop meaningful relationships with students to benefit their educational development and help them maximize their potential. He enjoys the opportunity and challenges that Metro provides through problem-based learning and activities not commonly found in a traditional classroom setting. Outside the classroom, he loves the outdoors, is an avid musky fisherman and enjoys activities that help reinforce a healthy and active lifestyle.
Sharon Graham, Social Studies
Sharon Graham taught at Fairland High School in Chesapeake, Ohio before joining Metro. She completed an undergraduate degree in Comprehensive Social Studies at Ohio Dominican University and began her teaching career at Bishop Watterson High School. She has a Master’s in Education and holds principal licensure for the State of Ohio.
Graham taught at Magnificat High School in Rocky River, Ohio where she mentored a student who won the Commodities Challenge sponsored by the commodities exchange. She developed and implemented the AP Economics course at Magnficat and was named Economics Teacher of the Year by The Harvard Business School Club. Graham has over 20 years teaching experience in both urban and rural settings throughout Ohio, has coached softball for many years and served as an “In the Know” program moderator. She enjoys working with students and finding venues for student success.
Pam Hayes, Bodies Learning Center
Pam Hayes has over 30 years of experience in Life Science, Biology and Project Lead the Way's Biomedical Science Program. She is lead instructor for the Bodies learning center housed at the Ohio Health Campus in Westerville and is co-instructor for Metro's senior research course.
Hayes earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Theatre from Otterbein University and a Master's of Education in Science Curriculum Development from Ashland University. Before coming to Metro, she taught at Westerville City Schools. She has coached many sports, been involved in over 50 theatre productions and manages the Global Health Summer Enrichment Program with Ohio State's Global Health Department. Hayes believes preparing students for the 21st century requires critical thinking skills and problem solving while engaging students in college level classes and community partnerships.
Ellen Hogue, Spanish
Ellen Hogue is Metro's Spanish teacher. Hogue has 15 years education experience in both urban and rural settings. She has taught Spanish grades K through 12. Following one year as an exchange student in Costa Rica, Hogue earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication at The Ohio State University and an education certification from Baldwin-Wallace College. She has completed coursework in Spanish at Cleveland State University, Akron University and La Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo in Santander, Spain. Additionally, she has served as a guest teacher in Cartago, Costa Rica. Hogue has worked as a liaison and coordinator for intra-national and international exchange programs for nine years. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and supervision at Otterbein College.
Hogue’s work and philosophy reflect a desire to create an environment where academic learning is linked to real world issues in today’s global community. She is excited to have the opportunity to develop a language curriculum that integrates with and supports the challenging core curriculum at Metro.
James Matthews, Mathematics
James Matthews teaches Mathematics at Metro. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Morris College and a Master of Education in Integrating Technology in the Classroom from Walden University.
Matthews previously served as a high school math editor at the McGraw-Hill publishing company and worked as an actuarial analyst for a human resources consulting firm. In addition to his Metro courses, he teaches math in the Developmental Education department at Columbus State Community College. Having developed his teaching style from a combination of student, teacher, and corporate perspectives, Matthews has come to believe that learning is an issue of both understanding and application. He will work to help students experience both in his classroom.
Andrea McAllister, Language Arts and Co-Dean of Students
Andrea McAllister teaches English Language Arts at Metro. She has been part of the Metro staff since the school's inception in 2006 and has taught all of the first year English courses, including College Reading, College Writing, Literary Analysis, World Literature and American Literature.
Last year, McAllister served as coordinator and disseminator of STEM teaching pedagogy to teachers in Franklin County through the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio. During that time she became a trained Buck Institute Faculty and taught teachers throughout the state how to implement Project Based Learning in their classrooms while coaching Metro's staff in their use of Project Based Learning. Having worked with both children and adults, McAllister is pursuing her passion for working with younger learners and now teaches for 3/4 of the day and serves as Co-Dean of Students for the other 1/4.
McAllister earned a B.A. in English Language, Writing and Rhetoric from the University of Maryland and completed a Master of Arts in Urban Secondary Education at Cleveland State University, where she also obtained an endorsement to teach English as a Second Language. She is a National Boards Certified Teacher.
Mary McCleary, Language Arts
Mary McCleary has an extensive background in Language Arts with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature/ Secondary English Education and a minor in Spanish from the University of Kentucky. She established her teaching in Ohio with Special Education certification as a vision specialist through The Ohio State University and completed a Master's degree in Orientation and Mobility through Salus University.
Over the last 16 years, McCleary has taught at the high school level and will teach Language Arts classes at Metro. She is passionate about students expressing themselves through excellent writing skills and works to incorporate those skills across the curriculum.
Jason McKendrick, Wellness and Internship
Jason McKendrick teaches Wellness and Internship classes at Metro, while also working as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for Westerville North High School. He has a broad range of experiences which he uses to develop and implement a wellness curriculum focused on fitness, nutrition and advocacy for an active lifestyle. In collaboration with his students, he developed TEAM Metro, a website to promote fitness, nutrition and physical activity within the Metro community. Students and staff partake in an ongoing competition that rewards members for committing to an active lifestyle.
Originally from northeast Ohio, McKendrick began his teaching and coaching career with Waterloo Local Schools in Atwater, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor's degree in education from Bowling Green State University and a Masters in teaching and physical education from Hastings College. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and previously served as part of the football strength and conditioning staff at The Ohio State University and assistant strength coach at Hastings College. His hobbies include traveling, outdoor activities, exercising, and classic cars.
Cory Neugebauer, Energy Learning Center and Co-Dean of Students
Cory Neugebauer attended the University of Maryland where he earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice with a second major in Spanish and a minor in Government and Politics. In addition, he completed a study abroad program in Spain as well as internships with U.S. House of Representative John R. Kasich and the U.S. Marshals Service. He then served six years as a Special Agent for the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service living and working in Washington, D.C., the Caribbean, Central Asia, Europe, and Africa.
After resigning his appointment with the government, he earned a Master's of Education in Social Studies and Global Education from The Ohio State University while on a graduate fellowship. He is working on certification requirements for an endorsement in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Throughout his career, Neugebauer has taught, tutored, and coached students aged 3 to 18. He worked at the Columbus Montessori Education Center as a Teacher’s Assistant over a six year span and has taught in Bexley and Columbus City Schools. He has tutored at The Ohio State University in economics and sociology and served as a private tutor in Spanish for middle and high school students. He coached football at Gahanna Middle School West for two years. He believes his most rewarding experiences have been working with young people to facilitate knowledge and opportunity in order for them to find the success they desire.
Meka Pace, Intervention Specialist
Meka Pace is the Intervention Coordinator for Metro. She facilitates Special Education services for students with Individualized Educational Plans or 504 plans. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and is working on a Master’s in Education at Otterbein University.
Pace came to Metro in 2006 from Columbus City Schools. There, she worked as an Intervention Specialist with students identified with learning disabilities and those with mild to moderate handicaps. Her experiences range from elementary to high school students. Pace also participated in the Teacher Advancement Program where she served as a mentor teacher to the 6th grade teaching staff. She had the responsibilities of research, modeling best teaching practices and professional development for her team.
Hollie Robinson, Tutor
Hollie Robinson is a tutor at Metro. She has been tutoring for over five years and enjoys watching the light bulb click when students are able to grasp concepts. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from The Ohio State University, but her interests were always with children and education. She has worked as a Childcare Director and as a substitute teacher with Columbus City Schools where she enjoyed working with high school students in math and science. She also spent time as an outreach counselor for troubled teen girls.
Robinson is working toward her Intervention Specialist license with a focus in math. She enjoys working with students and helping them achieve success in their courses at Metro as well as in their personal lives.
Dorothy Sutton, Language Arts & Senior Communications
After graduating from a suburban high school in the Cincinnati area, Dorothy Sutton attended Miami University (Ohio) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Metals. She attended graduate school at The Ohio State University and earned a Master's degree in Art History, specializing in Japanese art, and an M.Ed in Integrated Language Arts.
Sutton joins Metro's staff as a language arts instructor and oversees the Senior Communications course. She is thrilled to work with such an enthusiastic and engaged community of learners.
Jordan Walker, Science
Jordan Walker teaches Biology at Metro. She attended Kent State University, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Conservation. Wanting to become involved in the education field, she enrolled in Ashland University, where she earned a teaching license in life science for grades 7-12. Before coming to Metro, she was a substitute teacher in the Westerville City School district.
As part of her teaching philosophy, Walker believes that every student should have an equal opportunity to learn and succeed, and looks forward to playing a role in the individual and academic growth of each student. Walker is excited to become a part of the Metro family and to share her passion for biology.
Carol Van Fossen, Math
Carol Van Fossen teaches mathematics at Metro. She has 11 years of teaching experience in both public and private secondary schools and 10 years experience teaching at the two-year community college level. Having moved to Columbus with her family in 2006, Van Fossen has most recently taught at The Wellington School and at Columbus State Community College. Van Fossen earned her Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and her Master's degree from Walden University, both in mathematics education.
Van Fossen looks forward to helping each student reach his or her full potential in her pre-calculus class by presenting the concepts in different ways to meet the needs of each learner. In addition, she will be working with students to help them become self-directed learners in preparation for success in the college mathematics curriculum.
Jackie Weaver, Intervention Specialist
Jackie Weaver completed her undergraduate education at Mount Union College where she majored in psychology and minored in art and Japanese. While at Mount Union, she established a Women’s wrestling program, participated in multicultural activities, and was involved in various community service and campus activities.
After college, Weaver moved to Tennessee where she served as counselor/teacher at Eckerd Youth Alternatives, a wilderness education facility focused on helping at-risk and high-risk youth and their families. She returned to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University and Ashland College to work on a Master's degree as an intervention specialist and was manager of the Outdoor Adventure Center at OSU, where she served as rock-climbing instructor and trip leader. Weaver has been a substitute teacher in Columbus and Dublin City Schools and an English Resource Room Intervention Specialist at South-Western City Schools. She is excited to be part of the Metro staff and believes all students can succeed when given the opportunity.