OUR FACULTY

Dean of Students

Doreen Culver, Dean of Students, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Master of Science Degree in Guidance and Counseling. She obtained further graduate work and certification in School Administration/Elementary Principal. She has served children, parents, teachers, and staff in various roles: as an elementary teacher (grades 1-6), school counselor as well as licensed professional counselor, and elementary school principal. She has taught for Kent State University/Education Graduate Program (adjunct professor), and she supervises student teachers for Walsh University. Doreen has also been a volunteer in the Ohio Reads Program for the past four year.


Preschool/Kindergarten

Jane Reifsnyder, Preschool/Kindergarten teacher and Program Coordinator, holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Akron and M.A. in Education from Walsh University. She earned her Montessori Primary Diploma at the Michigan Montessori Training Center. She has over 30 years teaching experience at the preschool, kindergarten and college level. Her special interests include reading, sewing, and motoring in sports cars.

Stacey France, Preschool/Kindergarten teacher, has a B.A. in Education from Walsh University and an M.A. in Educational Administration from Ashland University. She received her Montessori Primary diploma from Walsh University's Montessori Teacher Training Program. Stacey has over five years of teaching experience at the Primary level. In her leisure time, she enjoys photography, traveling, and spending time with her family.


Lower Elementary

Jan Oravec, Lower Elementary Teacher, holds a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Kent State University. She took her elementary Montessori training at Columbus Montessori Training Center. Her 20 + years of teaching experience includes 12 years in Learning Disabilities before coming to Portage Montessori. She enjoys traveling, crafts, and outdoor activities.

Kim Rimmele, Lower Elementary Teacher, holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Kent State University. She completed her Montessori training at Columbus Montessori Training Center and has been teaching at PCMS since the school opened. She enjoys spending time with her family and her church friends, and playing volleyball.

Melissa Vozar, Lower Elementary Teacher, holds a Bachelors’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Walsh University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Administration at the University of Akron. She received her Montessori Elementary One accreditation through Montessori Opportunities, Inc. She worked as a substitute teacher and was an elementary teacher at Canton Montessori School before coming to PCMS. Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, working on her 1929 tudor-style home, reading, and working out.


Upper Elementary

Georgia Quinn, Upper Elementary teacher, holds a B.A. in Biological Science from Kent State University and a M.A. in Education from Ashland University. In addition to Montessori training, she holds certificates in Secondary Science, Gifted Education, and Learning Disabilities. She has over 20 years of teaching experience covering preschool through grade twelve. Her interests include a passion for being outdoors gardening, hiking, and traveling. On rainy days, she reads about science and nature and plays the piano.

Julia Gallik, Upper Elementary teacher, holds a B.F.A. in Music Performance and a M.A. in Education from Walsh University. She earned her Primary Montessori Diploma from St. Nicholas Training Center and her Elementary Diploma from Columbus Montessori Training Center. She has teaching experience at the preschool and elementary levels, and is an instructor for a Montessori training center.
Middle School.


Middle School

Michelle Wadley, Middle School teacher, holds a B.S. in Education from Baldwin-Wallace College and a M.A. in Education from the University of Akron. In addition, she received her Montessori training and credential through the Houston Montessori Center in Houston, TX. Mrs. Wadley earned her National Board Certification in Early Adolescent English Language Arts. Outside of school, she enjoys playing the viola at her church and with a string trio, spending time with family, traveling, visiting friends, and cheering on the Lake Blue Streaks.


Specialists

Susan DeNoi, Intervention Specialist, earned her B.S. degree in Elementary and Special Education from Youngstown State University. She furthered her education at Kent State University taking courses to obtain her Intervention Specialist license in 2000, and Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in reading in 2006. She enjoys reading, quilting, bird-watching, and spending time with friends and family.

Scott Snyder, Physical Education teacher, is a graduate of Malone College. In addition to teaching at PCMS, he teaches Adaptive Physical Education classes, is the Head Coach for the boy’s and girl’s golf team, and is a Varsity Assistant Coach for girl’s basketball and softball teams for North Canton City Schools.