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Board Bios

Thom Jones
President

Thom Jones graduated in 1992 from Marietta College with a degree in Political Science. He also earned his Masters in Education Administration from Ashland University. Thom is currently the principal at Dublin Grizzell Middle School in Dublin, OH. He was principal at Dover Middle School and Garaway Middle School. He has a wife, Debbie, and three children; Ally, Jack, and Anne.

Eric Jurkovic
President Elect

Eric Jurkovic graduated from Muskingum College in 1995 with a degree in Elementary Education. He received his Masters in Administration from Ashland University in 2001. Eric has been with the Indian Valley Local Schools for 14 yrs. The last 6 yrs he has served as Middle School Principal. Eric and his wife Kimberly have two daughters Samantha and Allison.

Tom Burton
Past President

Tom Burton is the Director of Administrative Services at Cuyahoga Heights Schools. Prior his current position he served as the middle school principal at both Cuyahoga Heights Middle School from 2001-2010 and Willowick Middle School from 1998-2001. Before his role as a middle level principal he served as an assistant principal, taught and coached in Cleveland Heights at Monticello Middle School, and at Lake Erie College. He currently lives in Bainbridge with his wife Franca and three children.

Lorri Kubaszewski
Vice President

Lorrie has over 27 years experience as a middle level educator. Currently, she teaches 7th and 8th grade Language Arts and acts as the Department Head at Troy Junior High in Troy, Ohio.
Lorrie received her Bachelor's degree from Wright State University and her Master's degree in Technology in Education from the University of Dayton. In addition, she completed The Ohio Writing Project through Miami University and acted as the president of their Advisory Council for two years.
During her tenure she has coached Power of the Pen teams, worked with the student council as an advisor, and coached sports at the high school and middle school level. While working to deliver the best practices for middle level students, Lorrie has received recognition for her efforts. In 1996, Troy Area Chamber of Commerce recognized her as the Young Educator of the Year. Among other recognitions, she earned the Golden Apple Award from the Ashland Company and is a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar recipient. Lorrie has been recognized with awards nominated by students such as the Ray Kroc Award and Excellence in Education Award.
Lorrie has served several years on the OMLA Executive Board as the West Region Representative until she accepted her current role as Vice-President.

Shannon Federinko
Secretary

Shannon Federinko is the Associate Principal at Claggett Middle School in Medina, Ohio. She has taught Math and Science in the 6-8 grade levels and has been a middle level educator, primarily at Claggett Middle School for 15 years. She has served on the OMLA Board for 11 years and has served as Executive Board Secretary for 9 years. She has been recognized as a Jennings Scholar, and has received the Medina City Schools Excellence in Teaching Award, Claggett Middle School’s Golden Apple Award, and OMLA’s Educator of the Year Award. She has presented in various locations on Teaming, Recognition, and Student-Led Conferences.

Dona Klein
Executive Secretary

Joining the OMSA Executive Board in 1998 as a Southwest Regional Rep, Dona has served three terms as Vice-president and is currently the Executive Secretary. Her professional experiences include local, state, and national conference presentations, Principal of Nagel MS in the Cincinnati area, Vail MS Prinicpal, Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, and high school assistant principal in the Middletown City School District, and middle level science teacher in the Hamilton City School District.

Paul Destino
Treasurer

Paul Destino is currently the Principal at Mayfield Middle School. Prior to Mayfield, Paul served as an assistant principal at Wiley Middle School and a teacher at Monticello Middle School, both in the Cleveland Heights University Heights City School District. Paul is a true advocate for the middle level child and has spent the past 12 years in middle level education. Paul has been active with OMSA on both the regional and state level, most recently serving on the OMSA executive board.

Mark Doebrich
Southeast Region

Mark is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. Mark has been an educator for thirty years, having taught Science at the middle and high school levels in addition to having served as an administrator in the middle and high school levels. Mark resides in Marietta with his wife, Lynn. Mark’s three adult children attend college in his hometown of Cincinnati.

Robert Sehlhorst
Southwest Region

Bob Sehlhorst graduated from Miami University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Comprehensive Social Studies. He received his Masters Degree as a Reading Specialist from Xavier University in 1988 and later went on to earn certification in education administration from Xavier in 1990. Bob has been with the Oak Hills School District in Cincinnati, Ohio for 28 years. He served as a junior high social studies and reading teacher, coach, athletic director, social studies department head, assistant principal and principal at both the elementary and middle school levels. He currently serves as Director of Curriculum and Special Programs. In addition to his role with OMLA he currently serves on the Leadership Board for Ohio Schools To Watch.

Timothy J. Spinner
Southwest Region

Tim graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree in the year 2000. Following graduation, he taught Language Arts at Lebanon High School in the Lebanon City School District for 6 years. After earning his Master of Education Degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2003, Tim served as a High School Assistant Principal at Edgewood High School for 2 years and as Principal of Edgewood Middle School for 2 years in the Edgewood City School District. In the fall of 2010, he moved into his current role as Principal of Kings Junior High School in the Kings Local School District. Kings Junior High School was designated an Ohio School to Watch/National Forum School to Watch in 2012. Tim is presently attending Xavier University in pursuit of his Superintendent’s License and Education Doctorate. He resides in Lebanon with his wife Victoria and daughters Daly Jane and Cecilia James.

Nicki Bertke
West Region

Nicki is a 2003 graduate from the University of Dayton in Middle Childhood Education with concentrations in math and science. She also received her Master’s Degree from Marygrove College. Nicki is a 7th grade math teacher at Troy Junior High School and is also a team leader.

Jenness Sigman
West Region

“Jenness earned her undergraduate degree in secondary education from Miami University and then a Masters in Education Administration from the University of Dayton. She has been the principal of Bellbrook Middle School since 1997 and is also the Director of Technology for Bellbrook Sugarcreek Schools. She has served as a high school math teacher, district athletic director, and middle school assistant principal in the same school district. Bellbrook MS is a National School To Watch and an Ohio School To Watch. Jenness was recently inducted into the Greene County Women’s Hall of Fame and has twice been given the Howard Post Excellence in Education Award by Greene County. She lives in Sugarcreek Township with her husband, Mark, and two children, Shelby and Payne.”

Kathy McKinniss
Central Region

Kathy McKinniss serves as principal of Bunsold Middle School in Marysville, Ohio. A life-long educator of middle level students she has previously served as a 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher, a middle school guidance counselor, an assistant middle school principal and athletic director.

Beth Nicol
Central Region

Beth Nicol is a School Counselor at Grant Middle School in Marion. Prior to counseling, she taught several years as a Middle School Family and Consumer Science Teacher. Beth serves on the Building Leadership Team, LPDC, and the Data Management Team. She has her masters degree in Administration and School Counseling.

Craig Vroom
Central Region

Craig Vroom received his undergraduate degree from Heidelberg University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Elementary Education. While teaching 4th grade for Hilliard City Schools he earned his masters degree in administration from The Ohio State University. After completing two years of teaching middle school, he became the principal of Beacon Elementary for seven years, also within Hilliard, and now serves as principal of Weaver Middle School, again, part of the Hilliard City School District. Craig currently lives in Hilliard with his wife and four children

Amanda Gardinsky
East Region

Mandy Gardinsky received her Bachelor's degree from the Ohio State University and Masters Degrees in Curriculum & Development and Administration from Ashland University. Mandy has been a Special Education/Gifted Director and Assistant Principal for Riverview Local Schools, classroom teacher and Gifted Director for South Western City Schools and currently is the Principal at Pfeiffer Middle School in Perry Local Schools. She resides in Millersburg with her husband, Michael, daughter, Olivia, and dog, Sammy.

Tiffany Shaw
East Region

Tiffany Shaw graduated from Muskingum College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. She earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Administration from Muskingum College as well. Tiffany is currently the 8th grade reading teacher and team leader at Indian Valley Middle School in Tuscarawas, OH. She also has led student and adult groups through international travel bringing classroom lessons to life. She has been awarded the WTUV Teachers Are Tops Award, and is a Class Coordinator for Financial Peace University, where she has taught both staff and community members. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an educational women’s honorary organization, currently serving as the nominations chair. She and her husband, Matt, have two children; Olivia and Sophia.

Tammy Darrow
Northwest Region

Tammy earned her undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace College and a Masters degree in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University. Teaching Health, Physical Education, and Business classes from 1995 - 2001, she became Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Hicksville Middle School/High School and served in this role for 7 years. Currently, Tammy serves at the Curriculum Director for Bryan City Schools and has served on the Board since 2008.

Jay Clark
Northwest Region

Jay Clark serves as Principal of Van Buren Middle School in the Van Buren Local School District in Hancock County. Prior to his current position, Jay taught instrumental music for four years and was a middle school assistant principal for two. He earned a Bachelor's of Music Education and Master's in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University. In addition to his commitment to OMLA, Jay also sits on the Ohio Association for Secondary School Administrators' Middle Level committee and is a member of the University of Findlay College of Education Advisory Council. Jay lives in Findlay with his wife Crystal and four children.

Lee Stockhaus
Northwest Region

Lee received his undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University in 1984 and his master’s degree in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University in 2001. Lee has spent his entire career at Lima West (which has transformed from Jr. High to a Middle School) teaching 8-9, 8th and 7th grade mathematics, coaching two sports (football and softball) and serving as a Team Leader. He then became a district data coach part-time and is now serving full time as the School Improvement Coach at West. Lee and his wife, Doris, live in Lima with dog, Bodi, and have two sons in college: Christopher studying Middle Grades Education and Matthew majoring in History.

Jerome Davis
North Central Region

Jerome M. Davis currently works for the Clearview Local Schools. He received is Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University and his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and Administration from Ashland University. He has been working in education since 1993. He began his teaching career with the Lorain City Schools where he taught English in grades 7-12. In 2000, he served as the Building Manager and Faculty Manager for Lorain Middle School. In 2001, Jerome became the Assistant Principal for Clearview Jr./Sr. High School. Upon completion of the OSFC project, he became the assistant principal at Durling Middle School for one year. Jerome has been serving as the principal of Durling Middle school since 2005.

Kerry Steffanni
North Central Region

Kerry Steffanni received her undergraduate degree from Ashland University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She received her Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Bowling Green State University. She currently teaches 5th grade Science and Language Arts at Main Street Intermediate in Norwalk, Ohio. She has been teaching for 8 years for Norwalk City Schools. Kerry resides in Norwalk with her husband Sean and their 5 daughters.

Kelli Cogan
North Central Region

Kelli Cogan graduated in 1993 from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She received her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from John Carroll University. Kelli is currently the Principal at Troy Intermediate School in Avon Lake, Ohio. Prior to Avon Lake, Kelli was Principal of Wiley Middle School in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District. She has been an administrator for the last 9 years and was a classroom teacher for 8 years prior to her administrative roles. She was recognized as a Jennings Scholar, has served on various district and local committees and presented at both local and state conferences. Kelli Currently resides in Rocky River with her husband Chris and their two children.

Carol Yost
Northeast Region

Carol Yost has been the Principal of Visintainer Middle School in Brunswick since 2001. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University and her Masters degree in Educational Administration from the University of Akron. With over 17 years of experience of working in the middle schools Carol is a true advocate for middle level education and has served on the OMLA Executive Board since 2008. She currently resides in Medina with her husband, Greg, and their two children, Parish and Baylor.

Kirk Pavelich
Northeast Region

Kirk Pavelich graduated in 1994 from Bowling Green with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Education and received his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Kent State. Kirk is currently the Principal at North Royalton Middle School. Prior to North Royalton, Kirk was principal at Main Street Intermediate in Norwalk, OH for five years and assistant principal at Norwalk High School for four years. His buildings have been recognized several times by the OMLA for Teaming and Student/Staff Recognition. Kirk has served on various district and local committees and presented at both the OMLA and NMSA conferences. He resides in Norwalk with his wife Julie and their three children.

Rebecca Reese
Northeast Region

Rebecca has been teaching since 1992. She taught 6th grade science from 1992 and is currently teaching 8th grade science at Hudson Middle School. She has served on the Ohio Middle Level Association board since 1996 and is currently a NE Associate Representative.

Jeffrey Cicerchi
Northeast Region

Jeffrey Cicerchi is currently an assistant principal at North Royalton Middle School. Prior to serving as an assistant principal, he taught sixth grade for three years at NRMS and one year in the Riverside Local Schools. He is a 2005 graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College with a degree in middle childhood education and a 2009 graduate of Ursuline College with a master’s degree in educational administration. He currently lives in Broadview Heights.

Jim Wilson
Website Coordinator

Jim is currently the Superintendent/Principal of the Zanesville Community School. He is a graduate of Marietta College and the University of Cincinnati. He has served on the OMLA Executive Board since 2006 and has been an administrator since 1999. Prior to administration he was a science and math teacher for 12 years. Currently he resides in Cambridge, Ohio with his wife Nanette.

Colin Veatch
Collegiate Liaison

Colin is originally from Columbus and currently attends Bowling Green State University. He is majoring in Middle Childhood Education, with concentrations in science and social studies. Colin is also a member of and involved with the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity on BGSU's campus, as the corresponding secretary.

Regina Rees
University Liaison

Information will be updated soon.

Jim Harbuck
Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators Liaison

Jim Harbuck is currently the Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA). He began his career in education as an English teacher and wrestling coach in the Cleveland City School District in 1969. He later moved to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District where he spent 26 years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal, all at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School. During those years, he served as a member of the OASSA Board of Directors and became president-elect of the organization in 1995. After serving as OASSA President, Jim retired in 1997 to join OASSA as its Associate Executive Director and became Executive Director in 2008. He currently lives in Westerville with his wife Beverlee; they have two grown daughters, Rebecca and Sarah, and three grandsons.

Jessica Granger
Journal Liaison

Information will be updated soon.

Shantelle Hill
Ohio Department of Education Liaison

Shantelle graduated in 2002 with a degree in Secondary English Education from Georgia Southern University. From there she also received a Master's in English and a Specialist in Educational Leadership. She has worked as a high school Language Arts teacher for nine and a half years where she served as a level chair, teacher support specialist, mentor teacher, and coach. Shantelle is currently settling into her new role as an English/Language Arts consultant for the Ohio Department of Education. She currently lives in Westerville with her husband Andre and an overprotective Yorkshire Terrier, Deuce.