FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS

US Soccer Coach Genelle Castro, who is also the Middle and Upper School Health & Phys. Ed. Instructor, in January 2022 earned the EIS Sportsmanship Award for the 2021 season. Coaching peers and officials within the Central District (Divisions 1, 2 and 3) nominated and voted for her.

Dr. Emily Krichbaum, CSG’s Director for the Center for Girls’ and Young Women’s Leadership, had a chapter this past winter on Elizabeth Cady Stanton published by the University of Notre Dame Press. It was a busy year for Emily—she also:

• Was named Director of The Center for Girls’ and Young Women’s

Leadership, a CSG program designed to help girls and young women find their voice and know their power; and

• Was selected as a fellow for the National Endowment for the Humanities’ 2021 Summer Institute, “Women and

Colonization: Early Encounters in the American Colonies,” hosted by the New York Historical Society, Museum &

Library.

Annie Ruefle, Lower School Librarian at CSG, in October 2021 attended and presented at a conference held by the American Association of School Librarians in Salt Lake City, Utah. She led a session called “The Boldness of Collaboration: A Librarian’s Guide to Connections, Creativity, and Community.” This conference is held every two years in various parts of the country, and about 2,000 school librarians attend.

Leisan Smith, Chief Equity Officer at CSG, was selected to join the Class of 2022 at the African American Leadership Academy (AALA). The Academy is a community-based leadership development program that works to expand the number of African American leaders who excel in their professions and engage in community service in central Ohio.

Genelle Castro

Dr. Emily Krichbaum

Annie Ruefle

Leisan Smith A handful of incredible faculty members earned CSG’s 2022 Faculty Study/Travel Grants:

Julie Biswas will travel to Oregon and Washington to observe and collect data on gray whales and hike and collect data in various national parks. Leigh Kane will travel to Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park to enhance her teaching of the Form II “Our Changing Landscapes” curriculum. Bill Miller (whose proposal was approved in 2019 but whose trip was postponed due to COVID-19) will visit the convergent sites of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in Spain to study the eras in which these three religions have peacefully co-existed, thus serving as potential models of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the modern world.

Stephanie Nelson will travel to South Africa to conduct field work on the African Penguin population, survey the Blue Crane population, and tour important historical sites related to the country’s apartheid years.

Julie Biswas Leigh Kane Bill Miller Stephanie Nelson

CSG says farewell to three retirees

Over the past two years, we had to say goodbye to three faculty and staff members who each worked hard to better CSG. Library Assistant & Textbook Coordinator, Debbie Yoho and Administrative Assistant to College Counseling/Registrar, Kathleen (Kate) Newland retired in 2020, and Director of Libraries and Strategic Research, Dr. Linda Swarlis retired in 2021. We wish them well in their future endeavors and will miss them here at CSG!

Debbie Yoho Kate Newland Dr. Linda Swarlis

CSG welcomes new faculty and staff

This school year, we welcomed new faculty and staff members who join us with an exceptional depth and breadth of knowledge, from critical care nursing to computer science and beyond. Some of the roles they fill have existed for decades, while others are brand new (like Lower School Mandarin and Digital Media). Together, they are helping to enhance and expand the CSG experience both in the classroom and in the community.

Meet our new community members below:

Corey Baker | Director of Library Services Corey earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and education from Swarthmore College and completed his master’s degree in library and information sciences, with a dual concentration in reference and user services and archives, at the University of Denver. He brings almost ten years of experience as a middle school librarian at Keys School and an upper school librarian at Milton Academy. Corey has used his role as librarian to enhance academic programs and build curiosity, and he looks forward to continuing this work at CSG.

Beth Chaudry | US History Part-Time Beth spent her middle and upper school years attending the Kent Place School, an all-girls independent school in Summit, NJ. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University and completed her Master of Arts in Teaching, with a concentration in social studies, at Boston University. She brings five years of experience teaching Upper School social studies, as well as her most recent experience developing curriculum for an online educational platform. Beth’s personal, educational, and professional experience align with the goals and mission of CSG, and she is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the teaching staff.

Jacqueline DeMarco | Aquatics Director & Unicorn Sports Coordinator Jacque earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and religious studies from Colgate University and completed her master’s degree in sports management from the State University of New York at Cortland. She brings over ten years of experience coaching collegiate-level field hockey. Most recently, she has held the position of Head Field Hockey Coach at Kenyon College, where she was also the Title IX Coordinator and a Physical Education/Health Instructor. She sits on the NCAA Division III Sports Committee and has a long list of coaching accomplishments to date. Jacque excels at the challenge of planning and monitoring program success and looks forward to collaborating with her new colleagues to enhance the overall student experience at CSG.

Brittany Harrison | MS/US Counselor Brittany earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and her master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Akron. She brings five years of experience as an administrative assistant at Hathaway Brown School. During her time there, Brittany supported the integration of the Aspire Program and completed her Master’s Practicum, shadowing and assisting Hathaway Brown’s Middle School Counselor. She has also completed two six-month internships with Shaker Heights Middle School and Twinsburg High School.

Dr. Alicia Miklos | US Spanish Faculty Alicia earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Ohio University. She then completed her master’s degree in Spanish, Latin American and peninsular literatures, cultures, and linguistics, and her Ph.D. in contemporary Latin American literatures and cultures, with a minor in women, gender, and sexuality studies, both from the Ohio State University. She brings over five years of experience as an assistant professor of Spanish at Texas Tech University and served as a long-term Spanish substitute at CSG for the 2019-2020 school year. Alicia looks forward to the opportunity to engage in student-centered learning and mentor beginning to advanced Spanish students.

Grace Najmulski | LS Mandarin Part-Time Grace earned her bachelor’s with a double major in Chinese literature and language and Japanese studies from Middlebury College. She brings her experience as a beginning and intermediate level instructor and tutor for the Middlebury College Chinese Department. Grace has a passion for teaching the younger generation and instilling within them a belief that they can do anything they set their minds to.

Rocío Knotts | LS/MS Spanish Faculty Rocío earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages from the Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto in Argentina and completed her master’s degree in world language education, with a concentration in linguistics and Spanish, at West Virginia University. She brings over fifteen years of experience teaching English as a second language in addition to

Corey Baker

Beth Chaudry

Jacqueline DeMarco Brittany Harrison

Dr. Alicia Miklos

Grace Najmulski

Rocío Knotts

teaching Spanish. Rocío believes in the value of creating real-life situations for students to practice Spanish and looks forward to using this lesson plan strategy at CSG.

Emily Krichbaum | Director of the Center for Girls’ and Young Women’s Leadership Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Malone University. She went on to earn her master’s degree in American history and American women’s history and Doctor of Philosophy degree in American history, African-American history, and American Women’s history from Case Western Reserve University. For ten years, Emily taught at Ashland University, where she received both Female Faculty Member of the Year and multiple Mentor of the Year awards. At CSG, Emily has also served as History Department Chair since October of 2019.

Jennifer Price, RN, BSN | School Nurse Jennifer earned her Associate Degree of Nursing from the Central Ohio Technical College and completed her Bachelor of Science in nursing at the Chamberlain College of Nursing. She brings over fifteen years of experience as a registered nurse. Most recently she served as a clinical team lead RN, developing and leading school nursing services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She has previously worked in both New Albany and Licking Heights Local Schools, and served as a substitute school nurse at CSG from 2013-2015. Jennifer is excited for the opportunity to bring her knowledge and passion for school nursing to work at CSG.

Casey Pritchard | LS Faculty Casey earned her bachelor’s degree in adolescent young adult education and creative writing from Miami University. She brings almost five years of experience in student teaching and assistant teaching. She also taught Form V social studies at CSG for the 2020-21 academic year. Casey believes that the integration of historical and 21st-century content sparks thoughtful classroom conversations about inequality, justice, and progress, and she is excited to continue these conversations at CSG.

Kelly Privette ’16 | Digital Media Coordinator Kelly is a CSG graduate from the class of 2016 and earned her bachelor’s degree in new media & digital design, economics, and creative writing from Fordham University at Lincoln Center. She brings two years of experience as Fordham University’s Digital Manager for Branding, where she created branded informational materials and merchandise for prospective students. Kelly is excited to be back and to help share CSG’s best stories on social media to embrace and expand the CSG community.

William Sierzputowski | US Computer Science Will is a graduate of the Wellington School and earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering education from Ohio Northern University. He brings two years of experience as a college math tutor and STEM curriculum developer for ONU. As a curriculum developer, Will created lesson plans for high school- and college-level courses that focused on integrating engineering content and design processes into standard mathematics curricula. Will is heavily invested in the future of STEM education. In particular, he is interested in leading after-school activities such as robotics, esports, and theater tech, and cannot think of a better way to connect with students and help shape them into confident women.

Ben Simon | Director of Marketing and Communications Ben earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio Dominican University. Prior to joining CSG, Ben worked in both the photography and business industries. He served as a design and photography director and also managed his own photography business. He also served as an operations manager for over eight years. Ben joined CSG in November of 2016 as Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, and served as Director of Marketing and Communications in an interim capacity from June to December of 2021.

Elise Skaggs | Executive Assistant to the Head of School Elise earned her bachelor’s degree in strategic communications as well as a bachelor’s degree in viola performance from Miami University. She also earned a master’s degree in viola performance and violin/viola pedagogy. Prior to coming to CSG, Elise served as Lead Copywriter at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus. She joined CSG in August of 2019 as Administrative Assistant to Middle School and became Executive Assistant to the Head of School in January of this year.

Dr. Emily Krichbaum

Jennifer Price

Casey Pritchard Will Sierzputowski

Ben Simon

Elise Skaggs

Leisan Smith | Chief Equity Officer Leisan has a B.S. in Communication from the University of Cincinnati and an MEd. in Educational Foundations and Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies, University of Cincinnati. She has fifteen years of experience as a school administrator in both K-12 and university communities. She most recently served as Director of Student and Community Engagement at Bexley City Schools and was tasked with ensuring that the academic programs of the Bexley schools were culturally responsive and student-centered. Prior to that, Leisan served as the inaugural Director of the LGBTQ Center at the University of Cincinnati, where she oversaw the Center’s day-to-day operations. Sarah Sole | Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Sarah is a graduate of Youngstown State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in professional writing and editing with a concentration in journalism. She has several years of experience in local community news reporting as well as magazine writing and editing. She’s also served in a marketing and communications capacity in various industries. Sarah looks forward to building on her writing experience and is excited to work for an institution whose mission is empowering girls and young women. Jennifer Sugerik | Choral Director/ General Music Teacher Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a Choral Emphasis from Bowling Green State University. She brings 30 years of experience in public and private vocal music education, and 35 years as a professional performer and teacher of piano and organ. Many of her former students are professionals in the music industry from opera and Broadway to talent management and technicians. Jennifer believes that students need to enjoy lessons, love learning, and know how to successfully practice, and that her job is to inspire and instill knowledge in a way that each individual learns and gains confidence. Kristin Tremper | US History Faculty Kristin earned her bachelor’s degree in history from George Mason University and completed her master’s degree in history from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently working towards her Ph.D. in history from Lehigh University. Kristin brings over ten years of experience in the field of education, working as a teaching and research assistant, teaching fellow,

and college level history instructor. In the time she has spent in independent schools, Kristin has gained an immense appreciation for how they are able to create academically rigorous and nurturing learning environments, which align with her own values as an educator. Jessi Wright | Campaign Development Associate Leisan Smith Jessi earned her bachelor’s degree in English language and literature with a focus in professional writing, literature, and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies from Miami University and completed her master’s degree in digital rhetoric and professional writing from Michigan State University. She brings previous experience in communications management, social media, and document design skills. In her free time, she has also volunteered directing symposia for the purpose of engaging community members in social justice and gender equality work.

Sarah Sole

Jennifer Sugerik

Kristin Tremper Jessi Wright