Welsh Hills School 2610 Newark-Granville Rd. Granville, OH 43023 Phone: 740.522.2020 Email info
welshhills
org (infowelshhillsorg)
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Faculty and Staff
Teachers at Welsh Hills School are guides and facilitators of learning. Their methods of teaching are determined by how children learn. This outstanding faculty is knowledgeable of child development and aware of the abilities and interests of each child in their group.
Welsh Hills teachers establish a positive, supportive environment that is conducive to learning. Classrooms are prepared so that materials and workplaces are organized and accessible to children. Teachers closely observe children to see what they understand and then pose additional challenges to inspire them.
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Jim Ashworth J & J Ashworth and Sons We farm because it is in our blood; we believe self-sufficiency and sustainability are a must for the future and for the whole family’s wellness.
We saw the opportunity to partner with the school in developing a dynamic, hands-on science program utilizing an existing greenhouse and organic garden. Nothing fits Montessori education like a farm or greenhouse experience and we believe nothing teaches a child more than “hands-on.” We think it fits a child’s mindset. |
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Michele Craft I have 30 years of experience working with children with disabilities and have been a part of the development of unique programs within the public school system. In addition, I have a supervisory license and was a special education administrator for I believe that every child has gifts and abilities that are a contribution to our community. It is our job to find those strengths and gifts and enhance them as well as support the areas of less ability. Not every child learns in the same way, and not every child fits into a specific mold for their best educational path. Our children have a right to educational options to fit their unique path. |
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Gary Eaton I love history and examining the various and colorful ways in which people express their humanity across the years and around the globe. I have taught at international schools in Tunisia, Zambia, Cameroon, Morocco and Saudi Arabia as well as private schools in Connecticut and upstate New York. More locally, I have taught middle school social studies for six years at Columbus Academy.
Welsh Hills School’s extraordinary emphasis upon treating each student as an individual is one reason I enjoy teaching here. I strongly believe in the Montessori concept of Erdkinder, in which students are routinely involved with real-world, hands-on learning. It provides an invaluable compass when working with middle-schoolers. |
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Heather Eaton I have lived in five countries and taught in four. This experience exposed me to many different educational practices. I am very excited to now be a part of the Welsh Hills family where learning is truly a community event! I also have a background in dance and theater and will be incorporating these into the reading program.
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Jessica Kreager I became a teacher because I had very positive elementary teachers that left me with the desire and passion to help future children find excitement and success in the life-long learning process. I completed my student teaching in Canton, Ohio at Canton Country Day School. In their 3rd grade class, I fell in love with the unique and effective atmosphere of private school. I enjoy working with a diverse school of students who are passionate about learning. I have a strong background in movement and music, which I acquired from having an appreciation of music, playing the clarinet and teaching music as a daily subject. In addition to music, I integrate movement in all of my daily lessons and find joy and fun in both activities. |
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Heather Lange I became a teacher because I have always had a love for children. As I grew older and completed my college education in Arizona, I took a break from teaching. When I moved back to Ohio I looked for a job in the career I always dreamed of. I heard of an open position at Welsh Hills. I researched their philosophy and learned that the school’s mission aligned with my own teaching philosophies. I am a true believer in the Montessori Method and am so glad to be a part of it at Welsh Hills. |
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Alejandra Leon I believe that language is the window to a culture and if you understand this you have the potential to open your eyes to many ways of viewing the world. I teach at Welsh Hills because the school community is the perfect environment for teachers to work in a student-centered manner with attention to the individual student. Students acquire an enthusiasm for learning, and become well-rounded people who are ready to enter and thrive in a global society. The Montessori philosophy is focused on all aspects of an individual and the different intelligences that students possess. I believe in a learning experience that is holistic and meaningful regardless of age and enhanced by the background that each individual brings to the classroom. |
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Michelle Lerner Art and the creative process have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Since I also love working with children, it seemed a natural fit for me to become an art teacher. Twenty years, and several segues into different aspects of education later, I still find being a teacher profoundly rewarding. My philosophy of teaching art is a simple one: I believe that all children are inherently creative, and what they need from me is encouragement and direction to foster their ability to express themselves visually. Providing children with an understanding of the core elements of art — color, line, shape, pattern, texture, and art history — along with the technical skills and techniques to employ these tools, is key to ensuring that this valuable aspect of education is integrated into a student’s experiences. Through art education, children learn to explore and face challenges creatively — essential skills in today’s world. |
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Mary Lucas-Miller I enjoy working with children as they develop their understanding of the world around them. Toddlers are especially fascinating to work with because almost everything is a new experience for them and the Montessori Method allows for great exploration. |
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John Meiser From a very early age, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I began being a camp counselor in the summers during high school. I was the only person I knew at the time that didn’t feel like I had a summer job. It was very natural to lead, inspire and motivate children. We all are placed on this Earth for a reason. Mine is to be around children each and every day. Welsh Hills represents a learning environment that does not only focus on academic success, but understands and embraces the child for who they are. This mutual respect between teacher and student is what makes WHS so special. I am honored and humbled to lead a group of educators that truly cares about the “whole child.” My understanding of Montessori began while I was working for a foundation in South Bend that gave scholarships to low-income students. Three of the schools we worked with were Montessori based. The healthy buzz of learning was evident as soon as you walked into the front door. What I experienced that year moved me so much that I began learning more about this philosophy. The more I learned, the more I became intrigued. I began my training the summer of 2009 and haven’t looked back. Experiencing a meaningful curriculum that engages students on multiple levels is the only way to learn. I just wish I had this type of education as a child. |
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Julie Meiser I have known for most of my life that I wanted to be an educator. Even my earliest jobs led me in the direction of working with children. I find it tremendously rewarding to ignite a passion for learning. I enjoy challenging students to reach their highest potential. I was drawn to the Montessori Method of education when I discovered how much the philosophy supported the development of the whole child. It is exciting to observe the “love of learning” that develops in children in a Montessori environment. I have witnessed this first hand with my own children. |
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MaryAnn Reeb I love teaching the Montessori curriculum. The courses are thorough and challenging, and the Montessori Method promotes discovery learning and decision-making for students. The Welsh Hills philosophy is the same as Montessori’s vision: child-centered, with high expectations and based on mutual respect. Welsh Hills is a wonderful place to teach, where faculty are valued by staff and parents — our ideas and input matter. This is a great learning environment for kids and a great teaching environment for faculty. |
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Cathy Skeens In 2006, I enrolled my daughters Rachel and Abby in the toddler and children’s house programs. When I saw how wonderful the school was I did not want to leave — literally. I enthusiastically filled an open teaching position in Children’s House when it became available. Working with 3 to 6-year-olds is wonderful — they are excited by school and by learning new things. They are in the beginning stages of becoming themselves and it is a true honor to be a part of this process. |
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Michelle Swartz I originally came to the Welsh Hills School in 2006 as a parent of a child enrolled in the school’s first Toddler class. Over the next few years, I saw my children develop a love of learning and an appreciation of their physical environment; form true and lasting friendships; and settle into a quiet self-confidence. Welsh Hills School became part of the fabric of our family, and when the opportunity to become a member of the staff became available, I was thrilled to have a chance to give back to the place that has given our family so much. |