Our Teachers

Director of Curriculum
8th Homeroom

7th-8th Reading
7th-8th Leadership Program
7th-8th Future Problem Solving/Thinking Skills
5th-8th Avid Readers Club
Mrs. Debelak's blog

Bio: As director of curriculum and co-founder of Birchwood School of Hawken, Helene Debelak worked with teachers to develop a curriculum in line with the school’s mission. She holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Valparaiso University and a Master of Education from Cleveland State University with a focus on the education of gifted students. She co-authored National History Standards K-4, published in Social Studies and the Young Learner, and authored “Literature for Building Character” (now a blog). Valparaiso awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2016. Service includes workshops for the Ohio Council for the Social Studies, Midwest Archives Conference, National History Day, and Ohio Future Problem Solving. She served on the state board of Future Problem Solving and the National History Standards project. Awards include The History Channel Teacher of the Year and Ohio History Day Teacher of the Year. She teaches reading to seventh and eighth grade students. Her students have earned state and national recognition, including Ohio Celebration of Poets Honor School recognition and Future Problem Solving team state finalists.

Kindergarten Aide

Bio: My name is Sarah Alicea and I am joining the kindergarten teaching staff at Birchwood School of Hawken. I completed my bachelor’s degree at The Ohio State University in early childhood education in 2005 and then went on to earn my master’s degree in education from John Carroll University in 2006. I started my teaching career at Birchwood School in 2006, where I was a reading teacher for grades 3-5. In 2008, I was a reading and social studies teacher, for grades 3-4. In 2009, my first son Nikolas was born and I taught part-time as a reading teacher for grades 3-4. In 2010, due to my husband’s job transfer, we moved to Columbus. I was disappointed to leave Birchwood, but always hoped that one day I’d be able to return. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching at Birchwood and came to cherish the students, parents, and faculty. While living in Columbus I was a stay-at-home mom and had a second son (Caleb) in 2011 and a daughter (Caralena) in 2013. In 2017, we decided to move back to Cleveland and I knew right away that I wanted my kids to attend Birchwood School of Hawken. This past year, I got to see a different side of Birchwood, from a parents perspective. It was almost surreal walking into the school, seven years later, as a parent rather than a teacher. So much has changed, yet the heart of Birchwood has remained the same. It felt like home! I am thrilled to return to Birchwood School of Hawken as a part-time kindergarten aide! 

3rd Homeroom

1st-4th Math

Bio: Hannah Bontje graduated from Birchwood School of Hawken in 2004, having attended since first grade. She went on to attend high school at Hawken and graduated cum laude in 2008. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University. Having received the Robert W. Cutler Scholarship, she spent her fourth year abroad in Florence and London prior to graduating cum laude in 2013 with a minor in landscape architecture. She spent three summers interning at Kaczmar Architects, Inc. before accepting the opportunity to teach at Birchwood. She is thrilled to take part in the shaping of children’s lives at this incredible school. 

2nd Homeroom

1st-4th Social Studies

Bio: Todd Boyer graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education and holds a reading endorsement (K-12).  He began his teaching career at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lakewood teaching a pre-K class. He then spent three years teaching pre-K in Fairview Park City Schools as well as teaching Title I as a reading tutor with kindergarten students. Todd has also directed several Camp Invention® STEM summer camps around the Greater Cleveland area geared toward K-6 students.  In addition, Todd is the proud parent of a sixth and seventh grade student here at Birchwood. Examining history and humanities have always been a leisure pursuit of Todd’s and he is eager for our students to find this same joy and satisfaction as they immerse themselves in social studies. 

Music Director

1st-5th General Music

Choir & Ensemble Director

Bio: Esther Chu's teaching career spans 24 years and extends from teaching preschool to college-age students. At the age of five she began formal training and by nine years old she was winning piano competitions. Three years later she was winning vocal competitions. After graduating from the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, she received her Master of Arts in piano pedagogy from California State University. In addition, she studied at music education at California State University and Cleveland State University, and computer music at Cleveland State and Oberlin College & Conservatory.

Nicole Gregory 

Casey Hallett 

7th-8th Latin & Ancient Greek

7th-8th Math
5th Language Arts

Bio: Dr. Catherine Haskins holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Massachusetts, as well as a Master of Social Work from Boston University. She graduated from Harvard University in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in Russian. In high school, Dr. Haskins was very fond of Latin and Greek. She earned a perfect score on the SAT Latin Subject Test and completed two Latin AP classes with top marks. She has served as a Latin, Greek, math, SAT, and ACT tutor; she remains a scholar of foreign languages such as French and Korean. She enjoys introducing Birchwood students to the study of Latin and Greek with their rich vocabulary and elaborate but logical grammars.

1st Reading Literacy Support
Preschool Support 

Bio: Sally Ann Higginbotham graduated cum laude from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education. She then earned a master’s degree in education focused on reading and literacy instruction. She has taught third grade, first grade, and with Head Start. Mrs. Higginbotham’s educational philosophy emphasizes hands-on learning, and the importance of play-based learning, and of making and being a friend. 

Preschool Assistant Teacher

Bio: Becky Hoelter is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in education, with a focus in special education. She has worked with students of all abilities in preschool through eighth grade in a variety of settings. She joined our staff in 2012 and has served as an early childhood after care teacher and preschool aide. She enjoys working in a collaborative environment and being a part of children's initial school experiences.

Preschool Lead Teacher

Bio: Working with young children is not only my joy but also my passion. After over 20 years of working in early education classrooms I still find the uniqueness of each child and aid them in forming a love of learning and school for the foundation of their academic future. I nurture young minds and hearts through patience and compassion in my everyday interactions with each child. Using my hands-on experience and education

Before and After School Coordinator

Bio: Nancy Isherwood holds a Bachelor of Arts in French from Cleveland State University and she completed post graduate studies at the Alliance Francais in Paris, France. She has worked as a substitute teacher and for a Montessori preschool. Her son is a graduate of both Birchwood and Hawken Upper School.

Kindergarten Support Teacher

Bio: Amy Kohut is a Birchwood parent alum. Her son ​is a​​​​ high school student ​at Lake Ridge Academy. She spent many years volunteering within the Birchwood community,​ both as treasurer of the Parent Committee and as a homeroom parent.​ She was ​excited to join the Birchwood staff as a Before and After School​ ​Care aide for Early Childhood in 2015. She holds a Master of Arts in sociology from Cleveland State University and previously worked at Cleveland State as a teaching research assistant.​

Kindergarten Support Teacher

Bio: Shelley Kokitka graduated from the University of Toledo in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. While in college she worked as a lead preschool teacher. Upon graduation she served as a lead preschool teacher at Horizon Activity Center before joining the staff of SS. Cyril & Methodius School as a sixth through eighth grade reading, science, and computer teacher where she developed a biology curriculum which and established a middle school science fair. She has also served as a substitute teacher in the Olmsted Falls City Schools. In 2015, Mrs. Kokitka joined the Birchwood staff as a kindergarten aide and she couldn’t be more thrilled. 

4th Homeroom

3rd-4th Language Arts

Bio: Step into Karen Kufahl’s classroom. It is a realm that fosters great writing and a love of history. Mrs. Kufahl expects her students to write daily and coaches them toward clarity of expression. She also appreciates the sacrifices of the men and women who have given so much to establish our nation and strives to nurture that sense of dedication and service to others in her social studies classes. Through her teaching it is no wonder that her students become exceptional writers who together celebrate each other’s success and mini-historians who grow up to make impressive contributions to society. Prior to completing her degree at Baldwin Wallace University, she was an involved mom to Birchwood students.

7th Homeroom

5th Reading

5th-8th Language Arts

Bio: After serving as a sonar technician in the US Navy, Richard Kurtz earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and philosophy, with a GPA of 4.0, from East Carolina University. He was a member of the Golden Key and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies, and went on to earn a Master of Arts in English with a concentration in literature with a 4.0 GPA. He was assistant editor of the North Carolina Literary Review while in graduate school and was chosen as East Carolina’s 1998 graduate school student commencement speaker. Mr. Kurtz has taught English in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Spain, and Taiwan, where he was school director for a language academy for 15 years. He has published opinion articles on the web, over two dozen poems in renowned literary journals, had his poem “He Weighs the World at Four” selected as poem of the year in Pif Magazine, and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2010 for the poem, “Star Sapphire.” 

K-8th Physical Education

7th-8th Exercise Program

7th Math

Main Office Assistant

Bio: Tim LaBar holds a Bachelor of Science in sport studies, coaching and conditioning and a Master of Science in athletic administration from The University of Akron. He played baseball in college and currently serves as the pitching coach and assistant athletic director for Lakewood High School. He is a member of the Lakewood Community Baseball Association board, and a lead instructor at Ohio baseball camps and clinics. He organizes Birchwood’s annual 5k run. His passion for helping children understand the importance of fitness, health, and wellness, helps students’ reach their fitness goals and prepare for team sports.

5th-6th Reading
Mrs. Little's Website

Bio: Judith Little graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in education, and elementary and music certifications, from Baldwin Wallace University. During her tenyear, she has contributed to curriculum development and program enhancement for reading and social studies, directed the poetry show, created a speech contest, developed Birchwood's initial music curriculum, and created a student fine arts night. She has also enjoyed coaching students in competitions, including the Creative Communications Poetry Competition, and her students have won state, national, and international recognition. 

1st Homeroom

1st-2nd Reading/Language Arts

Bio: Laura Mamone graduated cum laude from Bowling Green State University with a double major in history and sociology. After raising her children, she earned her teaching license and master of education degree, along with a K-12 reading endorsement, from Baldwin Wallace University. From 2010-14, Ms. Mamone taught at Madison Community Elementary School, working with kindergarten through third grade students as a math and reading Title I teacher. She was excited to become a member of the Birchwood family as not only a parent but also a teacher.

 

6th Homeroom

6th-8th Social Studies

National History Day

Bio: Connie Miller joined the Birchwood community in 1993 when her oldest son entered first grade. From the beginning she was involved: helping to form the Birchwood Parent Committee and assisting in planning the first few International Festival and Auctions. Her first year teaching seventh and eighth grade social studies also marked her first year of taking students to the national level of National History Day. Birchwood students continue to qualify each year and have won many awards. For her work she has received the Ohio Historical Society's Ohio History Day Teacher of Merit, the David Van Tassel Award for outstanding contributions, and the Ohio Humanities Council District 3 Teacher of Merit. Mrs. Miller enjoys taking students through the process of historical research and helping them present their findings in diverse ways. 

2nd Homeroom

1st-4th Science

Bio: Lauren Miller graduated cum laude from The College of Wooster with a degree in biology. After graduating, she worked as a field technician in Pennsylvania, netting and banding grassland birds and performing population surveys, but she had always had a heart for teaching. Mrs. Miller found a way to combine her love of science and teaching by becoming an environmental educator. She has taught environmental and outdoor education at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Stratford Ecological Center, Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, and, most recently, at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for the last five years. Mrs. Miller is thrilled to be joining the staff at Birchwood and is excited to bring her passion for experiential science into the classroom. 

2nd Homeroom

1st-4th Social Studies

Bio: Jessica Moore graduated cum laude from Cleveland State University with a degree in early childhood education. Prior to Birchwood, she taught first grade at Stepstone Academy in Cleveland. Mrs. Moore has enjoyed her many roles at Birchwood, including teaching science and social studies. In college, she enjoyed being a cheerleader as well as coaching high school cheerleading in Parma.

4th Grade Aide

Recess/Lunch Aide

Bio: Krystyna Moreno holds a Bachelor of Science from Cleveland State University in business administration. Prior to joining the staff at Birchwood she worked for UPS and is now a proud alumni and current Birchwood parent. She enjoys being outside on the playground and indoors in the lunchroom with the students each day. Mrs. Moreno has enjoyed traveling the world and has spent time in France, Japan, Spain, Poland, Greece, Colombia, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Holland, England, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico.

8th Homeroom

5th-8th Reading
7th-8th Future Problem Solving

7th-8th Leadership

6th Homeroom

4th-7th Social Studies

Bio: A Birchwood alum, Joe Parrino graduated from Case Western Reserve University, summa cum laude, with dual degrees in history and Asian studies. Fascination with Eastern societies led him to a school in Taiwan to start a bilingual program that included developing reading, language arts, math, and science curriculum. Following a promotion to head teacher, Mr. Parrino returned to the US to earn a master's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois. After writing for several newspapers, he returned to teaching and earned a master's in teaching from Austin Peay State University. After teaching in Kentucky for five years, he moved home to Cleveland and Birchwood. 

K-8th Spanish

After School Coordinator

Bio: Noemi Rodriguez began her career as a kindergarten teacher in Argentina and quickly gained the attention of the administration with her innovative approach to early childhood education, synthesizing the methods of Maria Montessori and the theory of Jean Piaget. She was asked to develop kindergarten curriculum for the Buenos Aires public school system. When she moved to the US she trained with the Berlitz School of Languages and began tutoring children and adults in Spanish. In 2004 she started teaching Spanish at Birchwood. After several years she was asked to organize the school's kindergarten program. She recently returned her full-time focus to Spanish as well as serving as the coordinator of after school program.

3rd Homeroom

1st-4th Math
Mr. Sprau's website

Bio: Michael Sprau is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and a Birchwood alumni parent. He began teaching at Birchwood in 2003 after four years experience in public and private schools. He piloted the primary mathematics classroom, in which he is a full-time math teacher for students in grades 1-4. His dedication and hard work have made the program a success. His students earn top distinctions in math competitions, such as the Noetic Learning and Continental Mathematics League contests. He also holds weekly after school math club for students who wish to improve their problem solving skills and prepare for math competitions. Although he acknowledges that math can be hard work, he believes that when given the appropriate tools all students can succeed. 

1st Homeroom

1st-2nd Reading/Language Arts

1st-4th Avid Readers Club
Mrs. Sprau's website

Bio: Rhonda Sprau holds a Bachelor of Arts from Case Western Reserve University and is a Birchwood alumni parent. Her classroom exudes her love of reading with a library of more than 2,000 books, a listening center, and multiple learning activities. She is certified by the Junior Great Books Foundation as a great books basic leader and a member of the International Literacy Association. Mrs. Sprau created the blog mrstreasures.edublogs.org which helps parents choose quality books for their children. She is also belongs to the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Westside Kid’s Writers’ Group. Her students have had work published in Spider magazine and have won local and national awards in the PBS Young Authors and Illustrators Contest.

7th Homeroom

6th-8th Language Arts

6th Future Problem Solving/Thinking Skills

7th Reading

Bio: Lorraine Tzeng began teaching language arts when Birchwood opened its doors in 1984. After taking time off to raise her children, all of whom are Birchwood alumni, she returned in 2004 to continue to develop Birchwood’s writing program. She has incorporated the pedagogy of writing pioneers like Peter Elbow, Donald Graves, Donald Murray, and Lucille Payne, and continues to evolve as she learns from her students. Many of her pupils have distinguished themselves in local, state, and national writing contests where they have been awarded honors in competitions like Letters About Literature and the Scholastic Writing Awards. Mrs. Tzeng earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Case Western Reserve University and is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, and a judge for Power of the Pen and Ohio Future Problem Solving.

Preschool Aide

5th-6th Math

Bio: Marianne Uechi graduated from Cleveland State University with a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering. In going through the engineering program at Cleveland State, she realized that her passion was actually for math.  After graduating, she along with her husband, Guy Uechi, spent five years as house parents to college students attending Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and Cleveland State University. Marianne has spent the last 13 years in her home creating a loving, caring, and learning environment for her four children as well as many other children from infants through 12 year olds.  She loves interacting and playing with kids and watching them grow and learn. She is excited to be joining the Birchwood School of Hawken staff and is looking forward to working with the preschool program as well as the fifth and sixth grade math team.

K-8th Computer/Programming

Director of Technology
Mrs's Waldal's website

Bio: Emily Waldal is a proud Birchwood graduate who has brought her expertise in technology and understanding of the Birchwood ethos our school. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in information systems from Cleveland State University. Kindergarteners and grades 5-8 students learn computer/technology skills in Mrs. Waldal’s classroom, while first through fourth grade grade students benefit from her supervision. She finds it exciting when students discover how technology can enrich and support their life and learning, and has developed waldal.com to provide students with safe and engaging online learning tools.

4th Homeroom

3rd-4th Reading/Language Arts

7th-8th Future Problem Solving

7th-8th Exercise Program

Bio: Joanna West graduated cum laude from Otterbein College with a degree in early childhood education and a reading endorsement (K-12). She began her career teaching at Fit by Five and then the Goddard School. When the opportunity arose to return to her alma mater, she was ecstatic and began by assisting in kindergarten and teaching third and fourth grade reading. Ms. West has gone on to teach third and fourth grade social studies, Future Problem Solving, physical education and exercise, and turbo kick after school. Ms. West’s passion for literature makes her an ideal person to bring reading and language arts to our young students.