Leadership Team

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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Nikki Doughty

Head of School
“Our scholars bring energy into the building everyday. Regardless of what they may have faced before walking ...
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Brian Gross

Chief Financial Officer
Brian came to City Academy in 2019 from North Side Community School where he served as ...
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Jeff Horwitz

Interim Principal
“I value education of the whole child, including but not limited to physical, musical, artistic and logical intelligence ...
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Steffani Lautenschlager

Chief Development Officer
“City Academy scholars impress me with their thirst for knowledge and how they challenge themselves to be ...
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Educational Leadership

Donna Hynes

Interim Early Childhood Director
“I am inspired when children have that 'aha moment' … that time when their eyes light ...
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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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Tanysha Turner

3- & 4-Year-Old Teacher
“Give them something great to imitate” Tanysha came to us in 2020 as 3-year-old teacher. She ...
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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 Math & STEAM Teacher
“City Academy is an amazing journey of discovery within a landscape of ideas that ...
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Celest Keys

Kindergarten Language Arts Teacher
“My passion is truly teaching and learning. I get excited to think that I'm helping to ...
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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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Jessie Bean

1st Grade Language Arts Teacher
Jessie Bean came to City Academy from Premier Charter School after teaching for 9 years; ...
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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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Melanie Gunn

2nd Grade Language Arts Teacher
“City Academy has made me feel right at home. All the students and staff are ...
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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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Kendell Sparks

Early Childhood Physical Education Teacher
Kendell came to City Academy from St. Louis Catholic Academy where he taught PE. Kendell ...
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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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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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Upper School Faculty

Erin McDonough

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

4th Grade Language Arts Teacher
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for ...
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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 Science Teacher
“You just have to start early and give kids a foundation. Kids live up, ...
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Ray Speed

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

6th Grade Language Arts Teacher
“It is my desire, as an educator, to help students develop and meet their fullest ...
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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 Administrator
“City Academy students have a passion to explore. I want to promote ...
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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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KJ Hubbard

Upper School Physical Education Assistant KJ joined the City Academy team in 2020 as the Upper School Physical Education Assistant ...
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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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Ann Lazaroff

Early Childhood Learning Specialist
“I love what I do because I laugh with my students everyday. Teaching allows me to ...
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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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Gretchen Griffin

Food Service Staff

ggriffin@cityacademyschool.org

Lucy Kiarie Kamau

School Nurse
lkiariekamau@cityacademyschool.org ...
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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

Adrian Sharp-Parker

Food Service Staff

asharpparker@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