Meet the Staff
John Sheffield, Director
Mr. Sheffield is the Director of Elmwood Village Charter School. He is a highly accomplished and experienced educational leader who has served in the field of education for the past 26 years. He has worked with children in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 as a classroom teacher, school counselor, and school administrator. He is also a member of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Education at D’Youville College. Before coming to EVCS in 2006, Mr. Sheffield held positions as Assistant Director at South Buffalo Charter School and Principal of Our Lady of Sacred Heart Elementary School. In 2001, Mr. Sheffield developed and implemented an academic improvement plan that was adopted as a framework for other elementary and middle schools in the area. Mr. Sheffield has had several professional articles published in high-profile national magazines, and was recognized in 2002 for his contributions to the field of educational leadership by the Western New York Leadership Academy. Mr. Sheffield was the first non-public school administrator to receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Academy to engage in further research in the field of educational leadership. Mr. Sheffield earned a Master of Arts degree from St. Bonaventure University, a Master of Science in Education degree from Niagara University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wadhams Hall College. Mr. Sheffield is a long-time resident of the Westside of Buffalo, where he currently resides with his family. jsheffield@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Anne Wechsler, Program Coordinator
Anne Wechsler holds a Master of Arts degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. She is the academic program coordinator and one of the founders of the Elmwood Village Charter School. Ms. Wechsler is certified in elementary education from kindergarten through grade six. She has worked in charter school development and served as a teacher in charter schools in Brooklyn, Boston, and Buffalo. awechsler@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Anne Landrigan, Special Services Coordinator
Mrs. Landrigan holds a Master of Science in Education degree from SUNY College at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Science degree from Gannon University. She is certified in elementary and special education. Mrs. Landrigan came to EVCS in 2006 with thirteen years of experience as a classroom teacher, resource teacher, early intervention specialist, and director of special education. alandrigan@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Lea Gladysz, Administrative Assistant
Ms. Gladysz held a position as an office manager and accounts specialist in a medical office prior to coming to EVCS in 2006. lgladysz@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Dana Fauth, School Nurse
Ms. Fauth holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. Prior to coming to EVCS in 2006, she worked with healthcare organizations creating disease management programs. dfauth@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Jessica Gainey, Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Gainey holds a Master of Science degree in literacy from the University of New York at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and special education from Syracuse University, and is certified in both of these areas. Mrs. Gainey has been a member of the teaching team at EVCS since 2006. jgainey@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Ann Sullivan, First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Sullivan holds a Master of Science degree in elementary education from Medaille College, and is certified to teach first through sixth grade. Mrs. Sullivan came to EVCS as a long-term substitute in 2006, and became our first grade teacher in 2007. Prior to coming to EVCS, Mrs. Sullivan worked as a substitute teacher at South Buffalo Charter School for three years. asullivan@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Rachele Schneekloth, Second Grade Teacher
Ms. Schneekloth holds a Master of Education degree in elementary education from SUNY at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University. She is certified in elementary education for pre-kindergarten through grade six. She came to EVCS in 2006 with four years of experience as a multi-age classroom teacher, math coordinator, and ESL teacher. rschneekloth@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Theresa Jankowski, Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Jankowski was our first grade teacher in the 2006-2007, and then relocated to Philadelphia with her family for two years. Mrs. Jankowski returned to Buffalo and EVCS this school year. She has completed post-graduate work in the fields of educational psychology and special education, and she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She is certified in elementary education for first through sixth grade. Prior to coming to EVCS in 2006, Ms. Jankowski had three years of experience asan elementary school teacher, four years of experience as a pre-school teacher, and eleven yearsof experience working with developmentally disabled adults. tjankowski@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Josette Smith, Fourth Grade Teacher
Ms. Smith holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Medaille College and Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY College at Buffalo. She is certified in elementary education for first through sixth grade. Mrs. Smith came to EVCS in 2006 with three years of experience as a classroom teacher and seven years of experience in the field of social work and early prevention. jsmith@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Patricia Mietus, Fifth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Mietus holds a Master of Science degree from Canisius College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from LeMoyne College. She is certified in elementary education for grades kindergarten through six. Mrs. Mietus came to EVCS in 2007 after completing long-term substitute teaching position in kindergarten at Tapestry Charter School and fifth grade in the Williamsville School District. pmietus@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Robin Campbell, Sixth Grade Teacher
Mr. Campbell earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Houghton College, and has completed additional graduate credits at Canisius College. He is currently working on his Master of Science degree at St. Bonaventure University. Mr. Campbell joined our teaching team at EVCS in 2007 as a teaching assistant with Mrs. Smith in fourth grade, and became our sixth grade teacher in 2008. Mr. Campbell is a certified social studies teacher for grades five through twelve. Prior to coming to EVCS, Mr. Campbell taught for a semester in Nicaragua. He also studied through cultural exchange programs in Honduras and Russia. rcampbell@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Jessie Hammond, Special Education and Resource Teacher
Mrs. Hammond holds a Master of Science degree in literacy and reading from Walden University and a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and special education from St. Bonaventure University. She is certified to teach elementary and special education. She came to EVCS in 2006 with four years of teaching experience. jhammond@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Jacqueline Gonser, Special Education and Resource Teacher
Mrs. Gonser holds a Master of Science in Education degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in exceptional and elementary education from SUNY College at Buffalo, and she is certified to teach in both of these areas. Prior to coming to EVCS in 2007, Mrs. Gonser worked as a special education teacher at South Buffalo Charter School for three years. jgonser@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Jennifer Coniglio, Title I Reading and Math Lead Teacher
Ms. Coniglio holds a Master of Science degree in elementary education and literacy from Medaille College. Ms. Coniglio is certified in elementary education and literacy. Prior to joining the team at EVCS in 2006, Ms. Coniglio was employed for five years as a pre-school teacher. jconiglio@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Michele Weaver, Title I Reading and Math Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Weaver is a teacher at EVCS through our partnership with the AmeriCorps Recovery Program. She is completing her Master of Science degree in special education at SUNY College at Buffalo, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and literacy from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, and is certified to teach first through sixth grade. Mrs. Weaver joined our team at EVCS in 2009. mweaver@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
David Phillips, Physical Education and Health Teacher/Fifth Grade Teaching Assistant
Mr. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from St. Bonaventure University, and is certified to teach physical education to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Mr. Phillips came to EVCS in 2009. dphillips@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Elvi Jo Dougherty, Art Teacher
Ms. Dougherty holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, and is certified to teach art in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. Ms. Dougherty is also a teacher at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, and has had countless exhibitions of her own work since 1991.
Abigail Unger, Music Teacher
Ms. Unger holds a Master of Music Therapy degree and Bachelor of Music degree from Ithaca College. Ms. Unger is a certified music therapist and holds a Kindermusik Educator International License. abmunger@msn.com.
Cathy Skora, Dance Instructor
Ms. Skora has been a teaching artist for over 17 years and is the founder and director of Folkloric Productions Dance Co., Inc. Folkloric Productions is a not-for-profit cultural organization with the mission to bring international dance and music to the public. Ms. Skora a holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY at Buffalo and is completing her Master of Arts degree in Creative Studies at SUNY College at Buffalo. She has done extensive studies in a variety of international dance forms, including modern, African, ballet, and theatrical dance. Her studies and affiliations with various dance organizations have led to much international travel. Ms. Skora has received several Arts in Education grants for programs she developed and presented at various schools. She is also a teaching artist with Young Audiences of WNY and a member of Coalition of Arts Providers for Folkloric@aol.com.
Diane Huzl, Spanish Teacher
Ms. Huzl holds a K-12 TESOL Certification (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and a certification in English. She earned her Master of Education degree and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Spanish from SUNY at Buffalo. She taught K-8 Spanish at St. Edmund’s School for five years. Prior that that placement, she was an ESL teacher in Amherst and Niagara Falls. dhuzl@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Judith Slawinski, Library/Media Specialist
Mrs. Slawinski earned a Master of Library Science degree from SUNY at Buffalo and her Bachelor of Science degree from Houghton College, and she is a certified school library/Media Specialist. Mrs. Slawinski came to EVCS in 2007. jslawinski@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Ebony McMillan, Kindergarten Teaching Assistant
Ms. McMillan holds an Associate degree from Erie Community College. She joined our team at EVCS in 2006 after working for four years as an assistant in a Montessori program. Ms. McMillan was also the owner and director of a Montessori daycare center for one year. emcmillan@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Chiara Noetzel, First Grade Assistant
Ms. Noetzel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and International Studies from the University of New York at Buffalo, where she is completing her Master of Arts degree in Childhood Education. Ms. Noetzel is serving at EVCS through our partnership with AmeriCorps. cnoetzel@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Shawn Nicole Warnes, Second Grade Assistant Teacher
Ms. Warnes earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Medaille College, and holds a pre-kindergarten through grade six teaching certification. Ms. Warnes served as a Title I Math Teacher at Community Charter School before coming to EVCS. Ms. Warnes joined our team at EVCS in 2008. swarnes@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Melissa Nicholas, Third Grade Teaching Assistant
Ms. Nicholas earned her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from Niagara University. She is certified to teach birth through sixth grade and is a certified literacy specialist. She is currently completing her certification in special education. mnicholas@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Becky McQuillan, Fourth Grade Teaching Assistant
Ms. McQuillan originally joined our team at EVCS in 2006 as the teaching assistant in kindergarten. In 2008, she accepted a position as a lead teacher in a pre-school, and returned to EVCS in 2009. Mrs. McQuillan has extensive experience as a Title I and special education assistant. Ms. McQuillan holds a NYS Certification as a teacher assistant, and is qualified to deliver instruction. bmcquillan@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Christine Northrop, Sixth Grade Assistant
Ms. Northrop earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism from St. Bonaventure University, and is currently completing a Master of Science degree in Education at Canisius College. Ms. Northrop is serving at EVCS through our partnership with AmeriCorps. cnorthrup@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
John Grabovski, Building Engineer
Mr. Grabovski is the custodial engineer at EVCS. Prior to coming to EVCS in 2006, he worked for over 27 years as a custodial supervisor for a maintenance company that had contracts with many area private and public schools. jgrabovski@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Jack Seitz, Food Service Coordinator
Mr. Seitz is a retiree who spent the better part of his life coaching sports teams for his sons and now his grandson. He is a long-time member of the Cardinal O’Hara Boosters, an organization that raises money to fund athletic programs. jseitz@elmwoodvillageschool.org.