SPECIALIZED LEARNING
FOR THE
WHOLE CHILD
4122 Myrtle Ave.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45236
Phone: (513) 984-2215
Fax: (513) 984-2272
STAFF
The staff at Linden Grove are a caring group of people.

Peg Ballard, M.Ed. is a graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She went on to study further at Xavier University in Cincinnati where she received her Master's Degree in Education, with certification as a reading specialist. Peg has additional training in all Lindamood Bell programs, the Orton Gillingham Reading Program through Miami University, and additional class work through the University of Cincinnati and Wright State University. Peg began teaching at Linden Grove School in 1990. She currently is a homeroom teacher.

Kristina Baker M.Ed. is a graduate of Whitworth College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She went on to study further at Xavier University where she received her licensure and Master's Degree in Special Education. Kristina is certified in K-12 mild/moderate special education. She has additional training in Lindamood Bell Programs. Kristina has been working with children of various disabilities since 1998. She has held the positions of paraprofessional and teacher at Linden Grove School since 2003. She is the Behavior Intervention Specialist.

Scott Fox, MA, CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech and language pathologist with experience working with children demonstrating communication disorders related in part to sensory processing/sensory integration dysfunction. Scott is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and received his MA in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Cincinnati. Scott has been working at Linden Grove School as a Speech Therapist since 1998.

Bethany Gerwel is a graduate of Bowling Green State University, where she received her Bachelor's of Science in Education. She is certified for grades 4 through 9 in Science and Social Studies. She has taken multiple continuing education courses through Walsch College. She has substituted in all grade levels in various school settings. She also has coaching experience in girls and boy's basketball and volleyball. She began as a substitute teacher at Linden Grove in 2004; she joined the full time teaching staff in 2005.

Karen Gerwel, M.Ed. is a graduate of Edgecliff College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She has minors in philosophy, social sciences, and language arts. Karen received her Master's degree in Elementary Education from Xavier University with a concentration in Montessori Education. She has taken various continuing education courses from Miami University, The University of Cincinnati, Wright State University, The University of California at Santa Barbara, Ashland University, and Walsh University. She spent 10 years at St. Bernard-Elmwood Place City Schools occupying several positions. She has been employed by Linden Grove School since 1994 teaching at various levels, including grades K-8.

Diana Gilreath is a 1985 graduate of the Institute of Medical Technology. From 2000-2007 she worked in the public school system aiding children with various disabilites. Currently, Diana is an aide at Linden Grove School.

Maude Haeger is a 1975 graduate of Eastern Illinois University where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Art History. After working as a teacher’s aide, she returned to school and obtained her Elementary Education Certification from Idaho State University. From there, she worked in various classroom environments, eventually obtaining her Master's Degree in Education (Inclusion Specialist for Special Education) from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. After taking a substitute position at Trinity School in 2005, Maude is now a full time teacher at Linden Grove School. She will be teaching a variety of subjects for various age groups.

Melanie Higgins, OTR/L is a graduate of Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She is a pediatric occupational therapist, and has worked with a variety of children ranging from infant to early adulthood. She currently is completing coursework towards a Master of Health Science Degree from the University of Indianapolis. Additionally, she is a certified Yoga instructor. Melanie has been working with Linden Grove School as an occupational therapist since February of 2006.

Mandy Kirk M.Ed. holds a Master's of Education degree in Reading from Xavier University, where she also graduated with cum laude honors in 2000 in the field of Elementary Education. Ms. Kirk is a homeroom teacher at Linden Grove School.

Dawn Klinczar is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a concentration in Child and Youth Psychology. Dawn also holds a minor in Spanish from the same University. She is certified to teach special education in all non-public schools. In March 2007 she will complete coursework to earn an online Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of Grand Canyon. Dawn teaches students at all levels and has been employed at Linden Grove School since 2001.

Lou McKibbin has been involved in the care and education of a special needs child since 1991. She currently works as an aide and a teaching assistant with children at various grade levels. Lou has been with Linden Grove School since 1997.

Eric Pohlgeers has worked in the public sector in the fields of management and human resources. Currently Eric works with several children as an aide.

Wendy Puthoff M. Ed is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Ms. Puthoff majored in middle school education with a concentration in Language Arts and Social Studies. After further studies, she obtained her Master's in Special Education. Currently, Wendy is a homeroom teacher.

Melissa Roush has 11 years experience working as a 1:1 aide with children in grades K-11 with various handicaps including Autism. Currently, Melissa is an aide. This is her first year at Linden Grove School.

Shawn Scott is a 1997 graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Shawn majored in Secondary Education with a concentration in History and a minor in Political Science. Shawn is certified to teach all areas of Social Studies, History, and Political Science in grades 7-12. He completed his student teaching at Trimble Elementary School in the fall of 1997 where he taught Social Studies in grades 7 and 8 and has been employed at Trinity School since the fall of 1999. Shawn has worked for Linden Grove in the capacity of a substitute teacher, aide, teacher, and office assistant. Currently, Shawn is Linden Grove School's Business Coordinator.

Cassondra Simmons received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wilmington College, and is currently taking classes to obtain her Master's Degree in Special Education from Xavier University. Currently, she is a 1:1 aide for a student during the day at Linden Grove School.

Barb Sorrell is an educational aide and paraprofessional certified through the Ohio State Board of Education. She has been employed at Linden Grove School since January of 2004. Prior to working at Linden Grove, Barb was the Client Services Coordinator for Stepping Stones Center where she worked directly with parents, caregivers, and clients. She continues to take courses with an emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Annette Thieman Stagge holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Cincinnati. During her graduate and post-graduate training, she specialized in language and communication development with youngsters with disabilities. Over the past 25 years, Dr. Stagge's appointments have included an adjunct professor at the University of Dayton and the University of Cincinnati. She also worked as a clinical special educator at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Children's Diagnostic Center. Other appointments include her working as a classroom and resource teacher, IHP planning and behavioral consultant with residential facilities, and program director of a residential facility. She believes the most important aspect in a child's education is to partner with parents when planning their child's educational goals and objectives. Dr. Stagge is the Vice-Principal at Linden Grove School.

Beth Swaney M.S., MT-BC is a board certified music therapist. She is a graduate of Capital University where she received her Bachelors of Music in Bassoon Performance. From there, she went on to receive her Masters of Science in Music Therapy from Radford University in Radford, Virginia. Beth has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including special education classes, a nursing home, a women's shelter, and she currently serves as secretary for the Ohio Association of Music Therapists. Beth has been Linden Grove's music therapist since 2004.

Kristin Kaifas Tennyson is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She is certified to teach Special Education (grades K-12) with a concentration in learning disabilities, severe behavior disorders and mild mental retardation. Kristin is also certified in Administration for Non-Public Schools. She has a diverse background, which includes teaching special education, writing behavioral and skill programs for children and adults with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, and operating group homes and supported living programs for private agencies in the Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Cincinnati areas. Kristin has held teaching and administrative positions with Linden Grove School since her employment in 1997. Ms. Tennyson is the principal of Linden Grove School.

Jennifer Wilhelm is a graduate of the University of Dayton where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education as an Intervention Specialist. She has a concentration in Mild to Moderate Diabilities and is certified to teach special education for grades K-12. She has worked as a teacher for the past 3 years and has coached soccer and dance. Currently, Jennifer is a homeroom teacher at Linden Grove.

Jessica Young is a graduate of the College of Mount Saint Joseph where she received her Bachelors Degree conferred with Magna Cum Laude honors in Inclusive Early Childhood Education. While in college, she worked in several diverse classroom settings as well as tutoring students with learning disabilities. For two years, Miss Young was employed by Hamilton County MRDD working 1:1 with a student diagnosed with Autism. She continues to work with him today, twice a week, as a private tutor. This is Jessica's first year working as a teacher and aide at Linden Grove School.

Terri Zins is a graduate from the University of Cincinnati, where she received her Associate in Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Terri has worked in a variety of settings since then, including working as a lead teacher for Head Start, Co-Director of a daycare, and as an Administrative Assistant in various settings. Terri has been the Administrative Assistant at Linden Grove since 2004.

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