OUR FACULTY

Dean of Students

Dr. Bob Roden, Dean of Students, is the father of five children and grandfather of 14 (and counting). He has served as a teacher, principal (elementary/middle school) and superintendent. Districts served include North Canton, Canton City, Lake Local and the Stark County Educational Service Center. Volunteer activities include contributing parenting columnist for the Our Town newspaper, YMCA, CHARACTER COUNTS! in Stark County, House of Loreto and mentor in Canton City Schools. Since Bob was involved with creation of the Portage Collaborative Montessori School while he was Superintendent of North Canton City Schools, he is enthusiastic about returning to serve the children, staff and parents as Dean of Students.


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

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 has been an instructor for a Montessori training center.

Leslie Lizarraga, Upper Elementary teacher, has a B.S. in environmental and Interior Design from Ball State University and is currently enrolled in a Master's program at Walsh University. She was the Art Director for an advertising agency for a number of years before becoming a teacher. She took her Montessori training in Chicago, and has taught a number of years in Indiana and Ohio. In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family, camping, painting, and running.


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.

Cindi Luke, Art Instructor, is a graduate of Kent State University with a B.A. in Art Education. She retired from North Canton City Schools with 39 years of teaching students from Kindergarten through Middle School. She recently worked with "at-risk" youth at an inner-city day camp. Her son, Luke, attended PCMS many years ago, and her oldest daughter has her Montessori teacher certification. Cindi enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and studying feng shui.

Seth Norton, Music Instructor, graduated in 2005 from Kent State University with a B.S. in Music Education. Since that time, Seth has been a substitute teacher at various schools. He currently gives private guitar lessons and performs as a solo guitarist as well as in a local band.

Patricia Crookston, after-school Spanish Instructor, holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Akron and also attended ITESO University in Guadalajara, Mexico. She taught Spanish for 35 years at Jackson High School where she advised various clubs and activities over the years. For the last 10 years, she has been active in an annual food and clothing drive for local migrant workers.