Leadership Team

Janice Bailey

Chief Development Officer
“Growing up with both parents being teachers, education was instrumental in my life. Being able to play ...
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Don Danforth

President & Co-Founder
“Young children can always tell you what they want to be when they grow up—just ask any ...
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Brian Gross

Chief Financial Officer
"Observing the impact an amazing education can have on the trajectory of someone's life is both a ...
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Jeff Horwitz

Interim Head of School
“I value education of the whole child, including but not limited to physical, musical, artistic and ...
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Educational Leadership

Donna Hynes

Early Childhood Director
“I am inspired when children have that 'aha moment' … that time when their eyes light up ...
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Erica Venne

Upper School Director
“I am living proof of the transformative power of education, and I want to share these same ...
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Early Childhood Center Faculty

Alison Slama

3- & 4-Year-Old Teacher
“It is my hope that I will create an environment in my classroom where my students ...
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Michelle Williams

3 & 4 Year Old Assistant Teacher
Michelle has worked in the Kid’s Club at Gold’s Gym for many years, ...
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Tayler Stagge

Junior Kindergarten Language Arts Teacher
“I love coming to work every day and being alongside a great group of children ...
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Evelyn Rosario

Junior Kindergarten STEAM Teacher
“City Academy is an amazing journey of discovery within a landscape of ideas that enrich students ...
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Michele Lemee

Kindergarten Language Arts Teacher
"I am excited about the privilege to expand my passion for teaching the scholars here at ...
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Lisa McKenna

Kindergarten Math & STEAM Teacher
“Each day I am amazed by the students at City Academy. Their passion for knowledge ...
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Celest Keys

1st Grade Language Arts Teacher
“My passion is truly teaching and learning. I get excited to think that I'm helping ...
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Noah Hollenkamp

1st Grade Math & STEAM Teacher
“City Academy students are sad to leave and thrilled to return. Their thirst for ...
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Laura Johnson

2nd Grade Language Arts Teacher
Laura Johnson joined the 2nd Grade team in 2021 as the Language Arts Teacher. Prior ...
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Monette DeSimone

2nd Grade Math & STEAM Teacher
“I love teaching. I love learning and continuously improving the quality of my teaching ...
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Trice Capleton

Early Childhood Assistant
"No child is the same, even if they do come from the same family. All children are ...
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Mya McLemore

Early Childhood Assistant
Mya McLemore was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. She joined City Academy in 2020. Her ...
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KJ Hubbard

Early Childhood Physical Education Teacher
KJ joined the City Academy team in 2020 as the Upper School Physical Education Assistant, ...
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Esmeralda Torres

Early Childhood Spanish Teacher
“Young children can always tell you what they want to be when they grow up—just ask ...
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Upper School Faculty

Erin McDonough

3rd Grade Humanities Teacher
"The dynamic and passion found at City Academy is unlike any other. The way the teachers, ...
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Melissa Jonff

4th Grade Humanities Teacher
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it ...
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Liesl Schnuck

3rd & 4th Grade Math Teacher
“It is my goal to work on a team that sets exceptionally high expectations ...
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Ann Luciani

3rd & 4th Grade STEAM Teacher
“You just have to start early and give kids a foundation. Kids live up, ...
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Ray Speed

5th Grade Humanities Teacher
“It’s a great feeling to wake up and look forward to going to work every day ...
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Shalawn Fennoy

6th Grade Humanities Teacher
“It is my desire, as an educator, to help students develop and meet their fullest potential ...
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Stephanie Oteng

5th & 6th Grade Math Teacher
“I've been around young people as long as I can remember. It’s important for ...
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Erik Taylor

5th & 6th Grade Science Teacher STEAM Program Administrator
“City Academy students have a passion to explore. I want to ...
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Chanell Beverly

Upper School Assistant

Chanell joined City Academy in 2020 as a Classroom Monitor, and stayed on as a Teaching Assistant ...
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Julie Bugnitz

3rd-6th Grade Art Teacher
“My passion for teaching comes from the wonder I experience in the world… the beauty and ...
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Laren Loveless

3rd-6th Grade Music Teacher
“Every day at City academy is a chance to see the future. Through creating music and ...
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Leon Powell

3rd-6th Grade Physical Education Teacher
“I came to City Academy because I felt it was the best fit for me ...
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Elizabeth Rivera

3rd-6th Grade Spanish Teacher
“I believe every student is a unique being with qualities and attitudes that makes them special ...
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Specialist Faculty

Martha Altvater

Education Specialist
An educator for forty years, Martha has taught middle school language arts and social studies in St. Louis ...
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Joan Bates

Counselor
“I am inspired daily by the level of commitment from our scholars and their families. City Academy students strive ...
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Emily Hauge

Upper School Learning Specialist
“As a reading specialist, my passion for education concentrates on literacy and the lasting power that ...
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Marybeth Huff

Librarian & Technology Integration Coordinator
“The library is a space where kids can learn about the world around them and ...
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Russ Jaffe

Speech and Language Pathologist
Russ came to City Academy in 2021 to serve the Early Childhood student’s speech language needs ...
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Ann Lazaroff

Director of Student Support & Early Childhood Learning Specialist
“I love what I do because I laugh with my students ...
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Laura Reycraft

Violin Teacher
“I want to share my love of music with City Academy students because it has been a positive ...
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Martha Schott

Math Specialist
"At City Academy, the expectations are set high for everyone: students, parents, teachers, and staff. We, as a ...
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School Staff

Stephanie Dooley

Director of Enrollment Management & Placement
“I believe in City Academy because I live by the words of Nelson Mandela, ...
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Kendra Gilbert

Food Service Technician
Kendra Gilbert joined the City Academy family first as a parent to Kimberly, and now as the ...
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Jen Glassmeyer

Director of Alumni Services & Community Partnerships
Jen Glassmeyer has an M.Ed. in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor ...
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Kim Lowery

Administrative Assistant
Kim Lowery is the first person you will meet when you call or visit City Academy! Before she ...
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Bill Pullum

Spotless ...
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Larry Reese

Facilities Manager

lreese@cityacademyschool.org

Kimberli Wilson

Extended Day & Summer Programs Coordinator
“Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.”
Kimberli J. Wilson is a ...
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Business & Development Staff