• Highly Qualified Staff

    Leadership Team

    Principal Shannon Tucker

    Shannon Tucker, a dedicated educator from Columbus, Ohio, has devoted twenty-nine years to Columbus City Schools. Her extensive career spans roles as an
    • Principal
    • Assistant principal
    • Leadership intern
    • Mathematics instructional coach
    • Middle school teacher
    • Elementary school teacher

    She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a focus on mathematics from Ohio University and a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton.

    Outside of her professional life, Principal Tucker treasures her time with her three daughters and granddaughter. She also enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching sports. Having previously served as the assistant principal at Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls (CCPSG) in 2016, she is excited to return to serve the young ladies and their families. Principal Tucker is deeply committed to nurturing the social, emotional, and academic growth of her students and remains passionate about giving back to the Columbus City Schools community as a proud CCS alumnus.

     

    Academic Team

    Jasmine Allen

    Instructional Assistant 

    Mrs. Allen has been with Columbus City Schools since  Aug 2015, started out in the kindergarten room as an Instructional Assistant . In 2016, she was promoted to a peak teacher; now she supports administration at CCPSG. She graduated in 2007 with her Associates degree from Bradford College.

     

    Elizabeth Braun-Remy

    Science / Social Studies

    Mrs. Braun-Remy has a Master’s Degree in middle childhood (Grades 4-9) from The Ohio State University. This is her 23rd year in CCS and her 14th year at CCPSG. She loves incorporating music and movement into learning and believes that learning starts with relationships and instilling confidence in students.  She is looking forward to this being the best year yet!

     

    Allison Brooks

    Instrumental Music

    Dr. Brooks holds a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Marshall University and a Master’s of music degree in music performance from The Ohio State University. She recently obtained an Ed.D. degree from Franklin University.  She has 21 years of experience teaching music. Dr. Brooks taught instrumental and vocal music at J.W. Fair Middle School in San Jose, California, and elementary music at Horizon Science Academy, and this is her 14th year working for Columbus City Schools (her 13th year at CCPSG). Dr. Brooks believes that music can be used as a vehicle to enable students to achieve success. Music education enhances a student's overall learning and can take them to new heights. Being able to provide those opportunities is a great joy for her as an educator.

     

    Najah Brown

    Math / Science

    This is Ms. Brown's third year teaching at Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls. She brings over 20 years of experience as an educator, having taught in both Columbus and Pickerington City Schools. Najah earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Bowling Green State University. In addition to her classroom work, she served as a School Liaison at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she partnered with families, schools, and medical teams to support the academic and emotional needs of students facing health challenges. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and academically engaging classroom where students feel valued and encouraged to reach their highest potential.
     
     

    Megan Burke

    Math / Social Studies

    Miss Burke has been a teacher for 30 years. She has spent 22 of those years working in Columbus City Schools. This is her fourth year here at CCPSG. Miss Burke teaches 6th grade Math and Social Studies. She especially loves working with 6th graders. She holds two degrees. First, her bachelor's degree in education from Ohio Dominican College. Her second, a Master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University. Miss Burke enjoys camping, the beach, spending time with her family and friends and visiting the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as much as possible! She has a passion for animals and hopes to be a docent at the zoo once she retires. She grew up in Columbus and is an avid Buckeye fan! 

     

    Cheli Cappetta

    Vocal Teacher

    Mrs. Cappetta holds two degrees - a Bachelor's in Music Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a Louisa Moats Literacy Concentration. She has also completed 39 of her 45 hours toward a Master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy, is an active performer and Singer-Songwriter. Mrs. Cappetta began her teaching career many years ago in CCS at the elementary level, worked in Worthington Schools, and has been at CCPSG since 2010.  Mrs. Cappetta firmly believes music and drama are disciplines that teach skills essential for success in life. Helping students discover their voice is her greatest challenge and accomplishment as an educator.

     

    Jill Dowery

    School Social Worker

    Ms. Dowery is a licensed School Social Worker with a strong commitment to student well-being and success. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and a Master’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University. Now in her fourth year with the district and serving with CCPSG, Jill is dedicated to supporting students and families by addressing non-academic barriers that impact learning. Her work focuses on creating equitable access to resources, fostering resilience, and building strong school-community partnerships.

     

    Donnell Ervin

    School Substitute Teacher

    Hello, my name is Donnell Ervin. I am a native of Columbus, Ohio. As a youth I was featured in the Columbus Dispatch because the late Aminah Robinson thought my drawings I created as an eighth grade student were good and the greater Columbus, community should be aware of this young visual artist. I am a graduate of The Ohio State University where I earned a Bachelor of Art Education and a minor in Elementary Education (Central State University). I have worked with youth at various capacities. Some of my outstanding moments were: Lead Teacher 6th grade general education with in the District of Columbia. Defensive coordinator freshmen football at Westerville Central we won the OCC and a Youth specialist at C.O.W.I.C were we employed 1,500 youth for summer employment.  As an Instructor / Counselor,  I plan to engage our students with fun, educational and cognitive activities. I hope to promote Algebraic literacy before the end of the 8 week program.
     
     

    Rachel Gardiner

    School Counselor

    Ms. Gardiner is entering her third year as a school counselor at CCPSG. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a BA in English Pre-Education and Creative Writing. Ms. Gardiner has experience as a high school English teacher, as well as experience working in higher education at The Ohio State University in admissions and financial aid. Her experience in both secondary and higher education helped her discover her passion for helping students overcome barriers to success, which then inspired her to pursue a graduate degree in school counseling from Capella University. 
     
    Ms. Gardiner is a parent of a CCS student entering middle school and is invested in supporting both students and parents as they navigate the challenges and changes of middle school. Ms. Gardiner believes in a student's ability to achieve and overcome adversity if they are given the support they need at home and at school. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her middle school son, reading, and listening to music. 

     

    Erin Gutridge

    Math / Social Studies

    Mrs. Gutridge is currently in her 22nd  year of teaching and her 15th year here at CCPSG. Mrs. Gutridge teaches 8th grade math and social studies.  She holds two degrees. First, her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bowling Green State University. Her second, a Master’s degree from Ohio Dominican University. Her goal is to assist the girls at CCPSG to becoming confident young ladies while striving to reach a higher goal and their full potential. While she is not teaching, Mrs. Gutridge enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys.  She savors every moment taking on the role of a sports mom. 

     

    Adam Hohl

    ELA

    Mr. Hohl joined CCPSG in 2020 and teaches 8th grade ELA.  He graduated with a BA in English from Xavier University and holds a Master’s degree in Literacy and Second Language Studies from the University of Cincinnati. He enjoys getting to know his students and finding reading material that is interesting and challenging to them. When he is not teaching, Mr. Hohl enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, reading, camping, and building things.  

     

    Yolanda Johnson

    Social Studies / Humanities

    Mrs. Johnson has been with the program since its founding in 2010, teaching both Literature & Composition and Social Studies. She is responsible for drafting the pledge that is recited daily by the ladies of CCPSG. Mrs. Johnson is a proud product of Columbus City Schools, graduating from Mifflin High School in 1995. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education from The Ohio State University in 1999 as well as a Masters of Teaching degree with a concentration in Middle Childhood (grades 4-9) Literature and Social Studies from Otterbein College in 2003. Mrs. Johnson has spent more than 20 years in the district teaching and inspiring students with her philosophy in mind, "I believe that each student is unique and comes with their own individual needs. It is my job as an educator to help students meet their full potential by providing a safe environment and the tools to get them there."

     

    Maya Marlowe

    ELA / Humanities / Science

    Ms. Maya Marlowe has dedicated over 30 years to education as a teacher, coach, and instructional leader. She currently teaches 7th grade ELA, Humanities, and Science at Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls, where she is passionate about creating culturally responsive classrooms and empowering students to grow both academically and personally.

     

    Rachael Seibert

    ELA / Science

    Mrs. Seibert first fell in love with language arts when she was a young child in elementary school. She remembers devouring Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell in the 4th grade, and from that book on she was hooked on reading! She decided to pursue her love of literature when she attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where she graduated with a degree in Middle Childhood Education. Her specializations for her Bachelor’s degree are language arts and social studies with a Generalist degree in math and science. She decided to pursue her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction after only 2 years of teaching in Columbus City Schools. She graduated with her degree from the American College of Education within 15 months of starting the program. She has been teaching in Columbus City Schools for 17 years and 15 of those years have been at CCPSG. As a teacher, she wants all of her students to see books as endless adventures! She believes that all of her students can truly love reading; they just need the right book!

     

    Todd Vanmeter

    Career & Technical Education (CTE)

    With over 25 years as a private IT consultant for national and international corporations, Mr. Vanmeter brings rare, real-world expertise to CCPSG. A summa cum laude graduate of The Ohio State University Master’s in Education program and a Bachelor’s in Management of Information Sciences from The Ohio State University, he also holds two elite certifications in International Quality Assurance Coding and Testing. His career spans database architecture, software development, and enterprise systems design for Fortune 500 companies, alongside mastery of Microsoft Office, Artificial Intelligence, and emerging technologies. Now in his seventh year of teaching at CCPSG, Mr. Vanmeter fuses industry-level skill with a passion for education—delivering engaging, future-ready learning that challenges students to think critically, work with integrity, and excel beyond the classroom. 

     

    Nina Young

    Art

    Nina Young teaches visual art for all grades at CCPSG. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Ohio State University.  She has worked for Columbus City Schools in the past as a substitute and has taught art in various private and summer arts settings. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, knitting, reading and birdwatching. She also shows and sells her personal artwork from time to time! Mrs. Young is passionate about the arts and teaching. She is excited to work alongside students as they learn visual arts, investigate their creative selves, and grow into responsible and empowered young women!

     

    Jennifer Zalewski

    Math Intervention Specialist

    Mrs. Zalewski is an Intervention Specialist.  She earned her Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Otterbein University with a Middle School Math/Science license, as well as earning her Intervention Specialist license through Miami University.  This is her 9th year teaching in Columbus City Schools and her 7th year at CCPSG. Mrs. Zalewski believes all students can learn and be successful as long as they have the right support in place to help them reach their full potential.