April received her BA in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa, her MA in special education from Walden University, and PK-12 Principal/Supervisor of Special Education certification from Viterbo University. She has spent eight years in special education, and served as the administrative designee for Harlan Elementary in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. April and her husband, Dylan, have two children. Dylan is an EMT/Firefighter. They also have three dogs, and they love going on family walks, visiting the Florida beaches, and enjoying the outdoors. Outside of her career, April’s passion is in health and fitness.
Larisa has been a part of Summit in some fashion since it began in 1998. She graduated from Luther College in 1993 with a degree in Elementary Education. She has had a multitude of roles at Summit!
Kathleen is thrilled to be part of the Summit team. As a Summit parent and former Board President, she is passionate about all things Summit! She brings many years of child-centered managerial experience to Summit, most recently as Assistant Director of St. Matthew Preschool.
Chris attended Mount Mercy University where she received her BS in Elementary Education with a reading endorsement. She also received her Early Childhood Endorsement from Teikyo Marycrest. Her favorite part of teaching is learning along with her PreK students. “Every day is different. I like to make school fun and interactive with materials, props, and ideas that encourage language and learning.”
Erin graduated from Kirkwood with her degree in Early Childhood Education. She spent the beginning of her career as an assistant preschool teacher at College Community’s ECC. She then took a job nannying two young boys. Erin spent time volunteering at Summit while the youngest of the boys attended preschool at Summit. As they aged out of preschool, Erin joined the Summit team.
Nikki grew up in Marion and went on to receive a degree in elementary education and special education from the University of Northern Iowa. In 2016 she moved to Arizona to begin her career where she taught 1st grade and kindergarten for 6 years. Since moving back to Iowa, she has served as the director of a daycare center, as well as a K-4 special education teacher. She is married to her husband Will, a physical therapist, and they have 3 young kids and 2 dogs. In her freetime she enjoys all things outdoors, camping, hiking, and going on family walks.
Jackie graduated from Mount Mercy University in 2017 with reading and special education endorsements, and earned her master’s degree in reading and special education from MMU in 2023. Jackie previously served as a special education teacher at Clear Creek Amana. When she’s not working, Jackie enjoys designing and creating costumes for Young Footliters Youth Theatre in Coralville and spending time with her family.
Leigha grew up in Iowa City and graduated from the University of Iowa in 2022. She received her BA in elementary education with an endorsement in K-8 reading, a teacher leader certificate, and a minor in educational psychology. Leigha’s passion for education started early on as she worked in multiple childcare and early learning settings. When Leigha is not teaching, she enjoys being outside, doing yoga, and spending time with her family and friends.
Shelby graduated from Coe College in 2018 where she received her BA in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Reading and Social Studies. While attending Coe, Shelby taught English to Burmese refugees in Thailand one summer and then studied abroad and taught English in Ghana, Africa. Upon graduating, she served as a long-term substitute teacher at Roosevelt Middle School in Cedar Rapids. Shelby previously held a Teach For America position teaching 6th grade science in Boston. In her free time, Shelby enjoys being outside, working out, traveling, crafting, and being around friends and family.
Brendan O’Sullivan graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in history. In 2019, he served as a counselor at The Gow School in Buffalo, NY, a school dedicated to helping students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. The summer program welcomes students and counselors from all over the world, and was a tremendous experience for Brendan, who is also dyslexic and had difficulties in school. Brendan spent the last two years teaching fourth grade in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
Brendan enjoys spending time with friends, being active outdoors, working on/riding his motorcycle, and helping people. He is a volunteer firefighter for the Coralville Fire Department.
Angie received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary/Middle Level Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2003. She earned her Master Educator Teaching License while teaching Special Education at Tanager Place in Cedar Rapids, later working as a consultant with Grant Wood AEA. She is the proud parent of a Summit alum, and in her spare time she loves reading, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, and spending time with family and friends
Sydney grew up in Indiana and graduated from Indiana University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a license addition in middle school math. Sydney has wanted to be a teacher since she was young and spent her teenage years working with children, teaching dance and gymnastics. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and playing board games.
Jamie attended Kirkwood and then Central College where he received a degree in health and physical education. He believes that kids who move and enjoy physical activity make more effective learners. Jamie taught gymnastics while going through school which shaped his positive teaching style and the importance of having a growth mindset. In his free time he practices Olympic weightlifting, tends a garden, plays chess and likes to read.
Amber graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a specialized emphasis in Art Education. She has dedicated herself to providing a quality education to students. Amber’s expertise extends beyond the classroom, as she also assumes the responsibility of directing Summit’s Summer Camp program. She fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect, encouraging students to express themselves and take pride in their artistic achievements. Amber’s teaching philosophy is one of fostering creativity, self-expression, and cultural appreciation. She strives to create a nurturing and inclusive learning environment where students can explore various art media and techniques. By incorporating interdisciplinary activities, she encourages students to think critically and connect art concepts with their broader academic studies.
Jenna received her BS in Music Education from Olivet Nazarene University. She taught K-5 music and high school choir in Jacksonville, North Carolina where her husband was stationed with the Marine Corps. She and her husband relocated back to their hometown of Tiffin, Iowa, and Jenna joined the Summit team. Jenna is passionate about music education and the many benefits music can bring to students not only in the music classroom, but in their academics, home life, socially, and emotionally.
Rachel’s family was introduced to Summit Schools through summer camp in 2009. Rachel has volunteered for classroom activities, filled in at the main desk, subbed as an associate, served lunches and is now our Kitchen Manager. She lovingly cooks each school meal from scratch with only the healthiest ingredients, often incorporating produce from Summit’s own garden!
Abbie attended Mount Mercy University and received a BA in elementary education with endorsements in K-8 special education and K-8 reading with certificates in Orton Gillingham and LETRS 1-8. She later attended Western Governors University where she obtained her MA in English language learning with an endorsement in ELL teaching. She has spent the last 5 years of her educational career teaching ELL and special education at rural and urban districts in the surrounding area. In her free time, Abbie enjoys working out, being outside and spending time with her husband and children.
Tonya grew up in Cedar Rapids and received her communications/journalism degree from Augustana College. She was an associate editor at Soap Opera Weekly magazine in New York City and the public relations associate at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. She enjoys working with Summit staff and students in this part-time position.
Ken is a graduate of Boston College with a BS degree in accounting and marketing, and a graduate of the University of Connecticut with an MBA in Finance. Ken has over 35 years of experience in accounting and investments working with large financial institutions. Ken moved to Cedar Rapids from Connecticut to be with his children and grandchildren.
David has worked in the maintenance and custodial engineering management for several years as well as warehouse management. He has been a member in four country music bands over the years. When not at work he enjoys fishing and weekend trips with his wife.
Sue received her BA in elementary/special education from the University of Northern Iowa, her MA in Elementary Education with a Reading Emphasis from Mount Mercy University, and her Associate and Certified Levels of Achievement from the Orton-Gillingham Academy. She has coached Summit teachers in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Sue previously spent three years teaching at Summit in the first and second grade classrooms, and fourteen years at another private school in various elementary grade classrooms. She has also supported parents at the Marion Home School Assistance Program, and continues to tutor students with the Orton-Gillingham approach. Sue and her husband, Roger are passionate about their faith, family, and traveling.
As a licensed teacher, Jill is passionate about the multisensory Orton-Gillingham reading method. She loves watching students with dyslexia (as well as other learning challenges) flourish, thrive, and apply their skills to learn. Jill has been a teacher in the Marion Independent School District for 16 years. With three grown children and two busy grandchildren, Jill always looks forward to their next adventure, card game, or laughter around the campfire. She is a professional photographer, loves to cook, and enjoys traveling.