• Highly Qualified Staff

     

    Leadership Team

    Principal Shannon Tucker

    A native of Columbus, Ohio, Shannon Tucker is a product of Columbus City Schools. In her twenty-five years with Columbus City Schools, she has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, mathematics instructional coach, leadership intern, assistant principal, and principal. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Education with a mathematics focus from Ohio University and a Master's of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton.

    During her personal time, Principal Tucker enjoys spending time with her three daughters, reading, and listening to music. Having served in 2016 as the assistant principal for Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls (CCPSG), she is honored to return as the principal to CCPSG. Principal Tucker has a passion for helping young people grow socially, emotionally, and academically. She is dedicated to giving back and loves serving the students, teachers, and parents of Columbus City Schools.

     

    Leadership intern Kameelah Guthridge

    Kameelah Guthridge is a seasoned professional with a passion for servant-leadership and creating solutions for complex problems.

    Kameelah has an extensive academic background, she is graduate prepared in business administration and entrepreneurship and has training and certifications in many disciplines including, Lean Six Sigma, Design Thinking, Change Management, Performance Excellence, and Entrepreneurial Mindset.

    Kameelah dedicates herself to contributing to the community and creating positive change. Her diverse professional experiences have informed her career trajectory. Prior to pivoting into education, she served as a policy author for the largest state-operated insurance system in the United States, writing administrative policy and leading process improvement projects. She further applies her expertise through her service on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), where she helps to identify tax issues that are important to taxpayers and provide a taxpayer’s perspective to the IRS on key programs, products, and services. Additionally, she serves on a local non-profit board that exists to deliver quality support that improves employment, health, education, housing, and overall wellness in the community.

    As a BRIGHT Fellow/Leadership Intern, Kameelah is committed to wholeheartedly serving the principal, teachers, staff, and students of CCPSG. Her goal is to share innovative concepts that will create transformative possibilities that will be uplifting and offer dedicated support to each individual. In doing so, she aims to contribute to an environment where everyone can realize their utmost potential, while nurturing a flourishing school community.

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    Academic Team

    Elizabeth Braun-Remy

    Science

    Mrs. Braun-Remy has a Master’s Degree in middle childhood (Grades 4-9) from Ohio State. She has taught in CCS for 21 years.  This is her 12th year at CCPSG. Her mother is a retired teacher and she grew up not wanting to be a teacher because she saw how hard her mother worked! However, she soon realized that she loves working with kids and thus her journey began. She believes that learning starts with relationships and instilling confidence in students.  `

     

    Allison Brooks

    Instrumental Music

    Ms. Brooks has 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 has 20 years of experience teaching music. Ms. Brooks taught instrumental and vocal music at J.W. Fair Middle School in San Jose, California, elementary music at Horizon Science Academy, and this is her 12th year working in Columbus City Schools. She has taught at East High School, and this is her 11th year at CCPSG. Ms. 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.`        

     

    Megan Burke

    Mathematics

    Miss Burke has been a teacher for 28 years. She has spent 20 of those years working in Columbus City Schools. This is her second year here at CCPSG. Miss Burke teaches 6th grade Math and Science. 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! `

     

    Jasmine Bush

    Instructional Assistant 

    Mrs. Bush 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.

     

    Cheli Cappetta

    Vocal Teacher

    Mrs. Cappetta holds two degrees - a Bachelors 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 for 5 years and has returned to CCS. In addition, Mrs. Cappetta is a private voice teacher, is an active music director, director and performer for plays and musicals in various venues around the city. 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.

     

    Rachel Gardiner

    School Counselor

    Rachel Gardiner is a graduate with a MS in School Counseling from Capella University and a BA in English from The Ohio State University. Rachel has experience working in higher education as an admissions and financial aid counselor and in secondary education as a high school English teacher. This year will be her first year at CCS and at CCPSG. Rachel is passionate about serving students and helping to remove barriers to success. While she is not teaching, Rachel enjoys spending time outdoors with her 9-year-old son. 

     

    Erin Gutridge

    Mathematics

    Mrs. Gutridge is currently in her 20th year of teaching and her 13th year here at CCPSG. Mrs. Gutridge teaches 8th grade math.  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. `

     

    Adam Hohl

    ELA

    2023 is Mr. Hohl's fourth year at CCPSG, and his 17th year teaching. Mr. Hohl is teaching 7th and 8th grade ELA. He graduated with a BA in English from Xavier University and holds a Masters 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 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."

     

    Philip Schumacher

    Science

    This school year is my 17th year with CCS.  I earned my degree from Ohio University after leaving a career managing auto repair shops.  I enjoy working with middle-school-age kids and I love seeing the spark when they “get” a difficult concept.  I also enjoy seeing the students work on hands-on projects that challenge their expectations of what they think possible for themselves.  I’m excited about bringing this to my students at CCPSG!

     

    Rachael Seibert

    ELA

    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 15 years and 13 of those years have been at CCPSG. As a teacher, she wants all of her students to see books as endless adventures and she believes that all of her students can truly love reading; they just need the right book!

     

    Susie Stoff

    Physical Education

    Ms. Stoff teaches Physical Education and this is her first year at CCPSG. This is Ms. Stoff’s 25th year teaching in Columbus City Schools. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology from the University of Idaho. Ms. Stoff received her teaching certification from the University of Dayton. Ms. Stoff enjoys teaching middle schoolers Physical Education, Health and coaching various sports. Ms. Stoff has taught at the elementary and high school level throughout her teaching career.

    Ms. Stoff’s favorite things are spending time with her two dogs, her niece and nephew, traveling, cooking and trying out new recipes.

     

    Todd Vanmeter

    Career & Technical Education

    Mr. Vanmeter is a retired professional from the I.T. industry, having served as a private consultant for 25 years across global corporations, national corporations, and local businesses. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Management of Information Sciences (MIS) from The Ohio State University and will obtain his Master's Degree in Education from The Ohio State University in the spring of 2024. In addition, he holds an International Quality Assurance Manager's certification from ISTQB. This will be Mr. Vanmeter's 5th year teaching at CCPSG.

    Drawing upon his extensive real-world experience and profound knowledge, Mr. Vanmeter is dedicated to integrating practical insights into the classroom. His teaching approach emphasizes relevant and engaging content that equips students with the essential skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of Careers and Technology. Reflecting on his own educational journey, Mr. Vanmeter acknowledges the impact of teachers who seamlessly connected theoretical concepts with practical applications that resonated with real-life scenarios. He aspires to be that kind of educator, illustrating to students the direct correlation between their educational pursuits and their future success.

     

    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 who teaches Math in a resource room setting.  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 7th year teaching in Columbus City Schools and her 6th 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.