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 24 years. He has worked with children in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 as a classroom teacher, school counselor, and school administrator. Before coming to EVCS Mr. Sheffield’s most recent positions were that of Assistant Director at South Buffalo Charter School and Principal of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 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, advanced certificates in education and school administration 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.
Anne Wechsler, Curriculum Coordinator
Anne Wechsler is the curriculum coordinator and one of the founders of the Elmwood Village Charter School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Stanford University and a Master of Arts degree in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is certified in elementary education from kindergarten through grade six. She has worked in charter school development and as a teacher in charter schools in Brooklyn, Boston, and Buffalo.
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.
Dana Fauth, RN; School Nurse
Ms. Fauth holds a BSN degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. Her experience includes working in family practice and schools.
Anne Landrigan, Fifth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Landrigan holds a Master of Science degree in special education and a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She is certified in special education for kindergarten through grade twelve, and in elementary education for kindergarten through grade six. Mrs. Landrigan has nearly fifteen years of experience as a classroom teacher, resource teacher, early intervention specialist, and director of special education.
Josette Smith, Fourth Grade Teacher
Ms. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and social work and a Master of Science degree in elementary education and literacy. She is certified in elementary education for first through sixth grade. Mrs. Smith has four years of experience as a classroom teacher, and seven years of experience in the field of social work and early prevention.
Tara Czamara, Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Czamara has ten years of experience as a teacher, and is certified in elementary education and special education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from John Carroll University and a Master of Science degree from Canisius College.
Rachele Schneekloth, Second Grade Teacher
Ms. Schneekloth holds a Master of Education degree in elementary education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies and liberal arts. She is certified in elementary education for pre-kindergarten through grade six. She came to EVCS with four years of experience as a multi-age classroom teacher, math coordinator, and ESL teacher.
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 the building substitute in 2006, after three years of working as a substitute teacher at South Buffalo Charter School.
Patricia Mietus, Kindergarten
Mrs. Mietus holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from LeMoyne College and a Master of Science degree from Canisius College. She is certified in elementary education and is qualified to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. Prior to coming to Elmwood Village Charter School, Mrs. Mietus held a long-term substitute teaching position in kindergarten at Tapestry Charter School.
Jessie Hammond, Special Education and Resource Teacher
Mrs. Hammond holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and special education, and is certified to teach in both of these areas. Ms. Hammond recently began working on her Master of Science degree in reading and literacy. She has four years of experience teaching kindergarten as a classroom teacher and special education teacher. Ms. Hammond has also received extensive specialized training in Asperger’s Disorder.
Jessica Mahle, Special Education and Resource Teacher
Ms. Mahle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and special education from Syracuse University, and is certified in both of these areas. Ms. Mahle is completing her Master of Science degree at the University of Buffalo.
Jennifer Coniglio, Title I Reading and Math Teacher
Ms. Coniglio holds a Master of Science degree in elementary education and literacy. Ms. Coniglio is certified in elementary education, literacy, and special education. Prior to joining the team at EVCS, Ms. Coniglio was employed for five years as a pre-school teacher.
Robert Gainey, Physical Education and Health Teacher
Mr. Gainey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and health, and is certified to teach in both of these areas. Mr. Gainey is a full-time member of our faculty. When he is not teaching physical education and health classes, he works as a support teacher in fifth grade. Mr. Gainey is completing his Master of Science degree at Canisius College.
Becky McQuillan, Kindergarten Teaching Assistant
Ms. 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.
Ebony McMillan, Second Grade Teaching Assistant
Ms. McMillan holds an Associate degree from Erie Community College, worked for four years as an assistant in a Montessori program, and was owner and director of a Montessori daycare center for one year.
Rob Campbell, Fourth Grade Teaching Assistant
Mr. Campbell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Houghton College, and is a certified social studies teacher. He is serving at EVCS through our partnership with AmeriCorps.
Da’Nia Evans, Third Grade Teaching Assistant
Ms. Evans holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Niagara University, and recently began working toward her Master of Science degree. She is serving at EVCS through our partnership with AmeriCorps.
Stephanie Gilliam, First Grade Teaching Assistant
Ms. Gilliam is completing her Bachelor of Science degree at the SUNY Buffalo. She is serving at EVCS through our partnership with AmeriCorps.
Cathy Skora, Dance Instructor
Cathy Skora has been a teaching artist for over 16 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 holds a holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Buffalo and 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, and is a teaching artist with Young Audiences of WNY, as well as a member of Coalition of Arts Providers for Children.
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-k 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 Bachelor of Music degree from Ithaca College, and a Master’s degree in music therapy. Ms. Unger is a certified music therapist and holds a Kindermusik Educator International License.
Lilliangina Quinones, Spanish Teacher
Mrs. Quinones holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Empire State College, and has attended Niagara University and Clayton College of Natural Health.
Judith Slawinski, Library/Media Specialist and Technology Teacher
Mrs. Slawinski is a certified school librarian, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Houghton College and a Master of Library Science degree from SUNY Buffalo.
Eryn Shumway
Ms. Shumway is an MSW intern from the University of Buffalo. Ms. Shumway holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and chemical dependency. This internship is Ms. Shumay’s final internship before receiving her MSW degree. She is supervised by Bonnie Collins, MSW.
John Grabovski, Building Engineer
Mr. Grabovski is the custodial engineer at EVCS. He has worked for 26 years as a custodial supervisor for a maintenance company that has contracts with many area private and public schools.