Our Teachers

Founder-in-Residence
Director of Curriculum
8th Homeroom

7th-8th Reading
7th-8th Future Problem Solving
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. After 40 years, Mrs. Debelak remains an integral part of everything Birchwood with the office of Founder-in-Residence.

4th Homeroom
3rd-4th Language Arts
3rd-4th Reading
3rd-4th Creative Communication

Bio: Sarah Alicea holds a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from The Ohio State University and graduated magna cum laude with a Master in Education from John Carroll University. Mrs. Alicea started her teaching career at Birchwood School of Hawken in 2006 as a reading teacher for grades 3-5. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching at Birchwood and came to cherish the students, parents, and faculty. In 2009 after the birth of her son and a move to Columbus, she decided to leave the classroom in order to raise her family. Mrs. Alicea continued her passion as an educator and was a private reading and math tutor for students in the Columbus area. In 2017, Mrs. Alicea moved back to Cleveland and a year later had the opportunity to return to Birchwood as a kindergarten aide. She says that after returning to Birchwood nine years later, much had changed, yet the heart of Birchwood remains the same. Mrs. Alicea is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach language arts, reading, and creative communication, and to instill a love for learning within each student! Mrs. Alicea and her husband, Jose, have three children who attend Birchwood School of Hawken. 

K-8th Computer

5th-6th Math

Bio: Ana Basmajian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in developmental psychology from Emmanuel College and a Master of Education in educational technology from the University of Hartford. Her passion is finding the unique combination of work and fun that facilitates student growth and success and she loves seeing students build confidence and thrive in class. Mrs. Basmajian loves being a part of the Birchwood School of Hawken family.

Kindergarten Aide

2nd Homeroom
1st-4th Science
1st-4th Creative Problem Solving
4th-6th Science Olympiad 

Bio: Rana Bottino holds a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University and Master of Science from New Jersey Institute of Technology. She worked as a scientist and project manager in environmental consulting before becoming an environmental educator at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. Over the next six years, she taught and developed a variety of science and environmental curriculum designed to educate and inspire students in pre-kindergarten through grade 6. In 2015 she completed the Intensive Pedagogical Training Institute through the Ohio Department of Education and received her certification in integrated science and earth science for grades K-12.

6th Homeroom
5th-8th Social Studies
6th-8th National History Day

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). Mr. Boyer is a member of the National Council for the Social Studies and National Council for History Education. Mr. Boyer partnered with the James A. Garfield National Heritage Site to help develop a middle school curriculum dedicated to teaching the remarkable story of our 20th U.S. President. Mr. Boyer has served as a parent, judge and coach for National History Day. Mr. Boyer believes the core of social studies is to foster a deeper comprehension of the world and our roles as individuals within it.

2nd Homeroom
1st-4th Social Studies

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Bio: Ester Chen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Asian studies from Case Western Reserve University and a Master of Education in early childhood from John Carroll University. She taught English at Kuei Shan School in Taipei, Taiwan and was integral in developing their bilingual program through enriching the reading, language arts, math, and science curriculum. She also developed and taught an engaging Mandarin Chinese curriculum to pre-kindergarten students at Hathaway Brown as well as their after school Chinese club. Mrs. Chen was honored to begin teaching kindergarten at Birchwood School of Hawken in 2012 and is a proud parent of a Birchwood alumna, eighth grader, sixth grader, and a kindergarten student. Her hope is to instill in her students a lifelong love of learning, discovery, and a passion about what they are doing. When students possess these skills, they are able to do anything they set their minds to; they are able to do the impossible. They are on their pathway of becoming. 

1st-5th General Music

5th-8th Choir
6th-8th Ensemble

Music Director

Bio: Esther Chu’s teaching career has spanned 30 years and extends from teaching preschool through college-age students. At the age of 5 she began formal training and by 9 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 came to the U.S. to study and earned her Master of Arts in piano pedagogy from California State University, Los Angeles. Additionally, she has studied music education at California State University and Cleveland State University. She also studies computer music at Cleveland State University and Oberlin College and Conservatory. Beginning in 2016 she has worked with a composer guild, coaching her students to perform originally composed music. Some of her students have been winners in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition and have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City between 2006-2021. Under her guidance a Birchwood School of Hawken quartet won best Bach & Brahms performance and classical and modern performance at the Great Composers Competition between 2017-20, and she worked with students who received first and second place honors in Cleveland’s The Stars of Summer International Vocal and Piano Competition in 2021.

4th Homeroom
3rd-4th Language Arts
3rd-4th Reading
3rd-4th Creative Communication

Bio: Vanessa Coppa graduated cum laude from Boston College with degrees in Education and Communications. After student teaching, she combined her degrees and began a career in children's book publishing, working for Scholastic Inc. and HarperCollins Publishers. During this time, she received her Master of Science in publishing from New York University. After almost 15 years in the publishing field, Mrs. Coppa returned to the classroom to pursue her passion for teaching and help children develop a love of literature.

Pre-K Aide

Bio: Sharon Dippel has been at Birchwood School of Hawken since 2014 and has progressively taken on more responsibilities throughout her tenure. She started on the maintenance team and in 2018 joined the lunch and recess team as an aide. She then took on duties as the lunch and recess coordinator while also working as an After School Care aide. Miss Sharon now works with Mrs. LaBar in the Pre-K classroom. She loves working with all the students at Birchwood School.

Sediah Erskine

8th Homeroom

5th-8th Reading
5th-8th Creative Communication

7th-8th Future Problem Solving

Bio: Rebecca Graham graduated magna cum laude from Hiram College with a Bachelor of Arts in French. She also holds a Master of Arts in French literature from the University of Virginia. Ms. Graham has taught English as a second language in Anglet, France as well as classes in American civilization at the Université Lumière in Lyon, France. At the University of Virginia, she taught many French language courses, oversaw American students studying in Lyon, France, and led cultural excursions to discover French cities. Her most recent teaching experience was at Hathaway Brown where she taught beginning level language to advanced level French and francophone literature classes in both the middle and upper schools. A love of reading and the discovery of new cultures is a common thread throughout her studies and teaching career. Ms. Graham is excited to embark upon new reading adventures in Birchwood’s grades 5-8 reading classes.

5th-6th Math
5th-6th Science

Bio: Joseph Hardin graduated magna cum laude from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education and holds a K-12 reading endorsement. During his time at Kent State, Mr. Hardin devoted three months of his free time to developing a program aimed at teaching Afghan refugees about healthy food habits. He honorably served for six years in the Ohio Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Sergeant and completing one deployment. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he coaches bowling at all levels and competes professionally in the sport. As he embarks on his first full-time teaching position in the 2024-2025 school year, he is excited and eager to be a part of the Birchwood community, with a goal of helping students become and thrive. 

1st-4th Language Arts
1st-4th Reading

Pre-K Lead Teacher

Bio: Lauren LaBar holds a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Cleveland State University. Before joining Birchwood, she spent the past six years teaching reading and math, as well as serving as a homeroom teacher, for 1st-3rd grade at a Cleveland charter school. Mrs. LaBar is certified in Fundations (Phonics) and has experience with various math and reading curricula. A passionate reader, she hopes to inspire a love of reading and learning in her preschool students. In her free time, she enjoys reading, golfing, gardening, and spending time with her dog, Bosco.

1st Homeroom

1st-2nd Language Arts

1st-2nd Reading
1st-2nd Spider & Cricket Magazine Contests

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, 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 enjoys being a member of the Birchwood family as a teacher and a parent alum.

2nd Homeroom
1st-4th Science
4th-6th Science Olympiad 

Bio: Lauren Miller graduated cum laude from The College of Wooster with a degree in biology. After graduating, she worked as a field technician, netting and banding grassland birds and performing population surveys. Mrs. Miller became an environmental educator, most recently at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for five years and in 2018, she joined Birchwood’s team, teaching science to 1st through 4th grade students. In 2020, Mrs. Miller was awarded the Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award given by the Garden Club of America for the work she and Mrs. Bottino did in helping students design and plant a pollinator garden at Birchwood and present testimony at the Ohio Statehouse in support of a bill to designate April as Ohio Native Plant Month. Mrs. Miller is also a part of the Educator Advisory Council at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and took part in a year-long ProtectCLE Professional Learning Community through the museum. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to help students discover their own passion for experiential science in the classroom each day at Birchwood School of Hawken.

Bio: Sam Miller graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville with bachelor’s degrees in Broad Field Science as well as Geography & History. He holds an Ohio Teacher’s License for Integrated Science, grades 7-12. Before coming to Birchwood, Mr. Miller taught science for eight years at Newbury Jr./Sr. High School and West Geauga High School. He also taught science at the middle school level for grades 6-8, introductory high school courses, such as Physical Science and Biology, as well as advanced high school courses, like Anatomy & Physiology and AP Biology. He coached volleyball and baseball at the middle school level, as well. Since starting at Birchwood in 2021, Mr. Miller taught K-8th physical education in addition to his science duties. He has been a member of the Science Olympiad coaching team. This is his second year working with the Science Department and 5th grade homeroom team. He is excited to begin a new role in teaching science full time at Birchwood.

Kindergarten Aide

Bio: Lee Mincer graduated from Cleveland State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She spent 19 years working and managing in retail. In 2013, Ms. Mincer took time off from her career to raise her family. During this time she volunteered with several children’s groups and found that she enjoyed working with children of all ages. Ms. Mincer is delighted to serve as a kindergarten aide at Birchwood School of Hawken where her son is currently a student. 

Emily Mitchell

Bio: Emily Mitchell earned her Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University in English Language and Literature with a minor in Jewish Studies. While at KSU, she completed an internship at Cleveland’s Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood. After graduation she attended Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, where she completed a master's degree in English Language and Literature. Ms. Mitchell taught College Writing classes at Kent State University as her first foray into teaching. While raising and homeschooling her four children in Northern Ontario, she was a stay-at-home mom for many years. She attended hundreds of her kids' hockey games. She also enjoys being outside with her kids and her golden retriever, Penny. Her favorite activity is writing poetry and talking about books and stories with her kids and anyone else who loves the written word. She is so excited to be a part of the learning community at Birchwood!

Preschool Lead Teacher

Bio: Maggie Mulloy joined Birchwood School of Hawken in 2017 as an aide for the After School Care, lunch, and recess programs in grades 1-8. Over the next few years, she rediscovered her passion for working with preschool aged children when, under the guidance of the Early Childhood teachers, she began caring for 3-5 year olds in preschool After School Care, and as an on call substitute during the school day. Mrs. Mulloy is happiest when she is working with young children. It was this passion which led her to study under Monica Bassett, a leading expert in education for professional nannies, at Nannies of Cleveland. Upon graduating at the top of her class, Mrs. Mulloy continued her studies at Cuyahoga Community College, where she was also inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. For nearly 15 years, Mrs. Mulloy worked with young children in their homes, helping them discover their world through learning and play. Mrs. Mulloy enjoys being a part of Birchwood’s Early Childhood team, and working, collaborating, and sharing with them as they prepare children for their academic journey at Birchwood.

Preschool-4th Spanish

Bio: Maritza Niebla holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing and a master's in E-Commerce from Tecnológico de Monterrey. Señora Niebla taught various marketing subjects for five years at her alma mater, later expanding her teaching experience at Universidad La Salle. She has also run her own marketing consulting firm for more than 23 years. Sra. Niebla started teaching Spanish to young children while her son was in pre-K, which reignited her passion for teaching. In addition to her classroom experience, she has been involved in educational initiatives designed to enhance students' learning opportunities. “I have volunteered at Birchwood for many years and this year I am excited to join the teaching team and bring my commitment to education to this wonderful community.”

8th Homeroom

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

7th-8th Leadership

6th Homeroom

5th-8th Social Studies
6th-8th National History Day

Bio: A Birchwood alum, Joe Parrino graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and Asian studies. Fascination with Eastern societies led him to a school in Taiwan where he started a bilingual program. During those years, he served as the program’s head teacher while also writing curriculum for reading, language arts, math, and science. When the time came to repatriate, Mr. Parrino attended the University of Illinois where he completed a Master of Science degree in journalism. He wrote for several newspapers and then decided the teaching profession offered more opportunities. He earned a Master in Teaching from Austin Peay State University. From there, he taught history and geography for five years at a public high school in Kentucky. Finally, he moved his family back to the Cleveland area and joined the Birchwood School of Hawken faculty. Mr. Parrino is a National Geographic certified educator and a member of both the National Council for the Social Studies and National Council for History Education. 

8th Homeroom
5th-8th Math

K-8th Spanish

7th-8th National Spanish Exam 

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 Señora Rodriguez moved to the U.S., she trained with the Berlitz School of Languages and began tutoring children and adults in Spanish. In 2002 she started teaching Spanish at Birchwood. After several years she was asked to organize the school's kindergarten program before returning her full-time focus to Spanish. Known affectionately as "Señora" amongst students and staff, she also served for many years as the coordinator of Birchwood's After School Enrichment program.

Before and After School Care Coordinator

Lunch & Recess Coordinator

Bio: Tamara Runyon comes to Birchwood School ready to share her 23 years of experience in leading, organizing, and coordinating child care programs. Two programs she has organized and led are Cub Scout Day Camps and the before and after school program at Berea City School District’s Grindstone Elementary School. During her work with these organizations she was responsible for planning continued learning opportunities through crafts, homework, sports, and projects that enhanced traditional classroom lessons. Mrs. Runyon has completed training in child and adult CPR with AED, first aid, communicable disease recognition, child abuse prevention, advanced leadership, and staff management training, as well as holding a license as a paraprofessional. 

 

Jennifer Seward

7th Homeroom
5th-6th Language Arts
8th Language Arts
6th Future Problem Solving
8th Power of the Pen 
8th Scholastic Writing Awards

3rd Homeroom

1st-4th Math
2nd-4th Continental Mathematics League
2nd-4th Noetic Learning Math Contest 
Mr. Sprau’s website

Bio: Michael Sprau is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. He and his wife, Birchwood teacher Rhonda Sprau, are the parents of two Birchwood alumni. 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 regularly earn top distinctions in national math competitions, such as the Noetic Learning and Continental Mathematics League contests. He also holds weekly after school math clubs 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.   

5th-8th Math 

Bio: Melissa Stalnaker grew up in Boulder, Colorado where she received her undergraduate degree in mathematics. She worked in Boulder as a commercial property manager until she and her husband moved to Oberlin, Ohio. Melissa decided she wanted to work in a school environment when her youngest child started kindergarten. After several years as a substitute teacher in Oberlin, she decided to go back to school herself. She received a Master of Library and Information Science as well as a master's in educational technology from Kent State University. After working as a school librarian for a year she joined the Birchwood family as a grades 5-8 math subject specialist. Ms. Stalnaker is delighted to be at Birchwood teaching extraordinary students and working with a phenomenal staff.

7th Homeroom
6th-8th Language Arts
6th Future Problem Solving
7th-8th Power of the Pen

7th-8th Scholastic Writing Awards

Bio: Lorraine Tzeng began teaching when Birchwood opened its doors in 1984. After a stint off to raise her four 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 early writing pioneers and continues to evolve as she learns from other professionals and her students, many of whom have distinguished themselves in local, state, and national writing levels. Birchwood students consistently place as award winners in Power of the Pen, the Scholastic Writing Awards, and Future Problem Solving Scenario Writing, and other programs. The Future Problem Solving Junior Team she co-teaches has represented Ohio in the international competition numerous times. 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. She is also a veteran judge for all levels of Power of the Pen and the Ohio Future Problem Solving program. 

Bio: Marianne Uechi graduated from Cleveland State University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. In the process of finishing the engineering program at Cleveland State, Mrs. Uechi realized that her passion was actually for math. She has helped teach fifth and sixth grade math at Birchwood School of Hawken and is thrilled to be working with the first through fourth grade math team.

Bio: Thomas Vinci, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design from the Cleveland Institute of Art, brings passion and creativity to K-8 classrooms. With extensive experience through art school and working for companies like Little Tikes, John Deere, and Case Western Reserve University, Thomas has honed both his creative and technical skills, providing students with a unique perspective on artistic expression. Thomas fosters a love for art and design, encouraging students to express themselves through various mediums. With a focus on nurturing individual creativity and instilling a lifelong appreciation for the arts, Thomas Vinci seeks to inspire the next generation of creative minds.

2nd Homeroom 
1st-4th Social Studies 
1st-4th Creative Problem Solving
After School Enrichment Coordinator

Bio: Megan Vlach grew up in Aurora, Ohio before attending Bowling Green State University. In 2020 she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in inclusive early childhood education. She takes pride in being an alumna of the Falcon Marching Band during her four years at Bowling Green as well as being a returning member at her high school’s band camp to help teach during the summers. After graduating, she went back to her hometown to begin substituting at all grade levels. For the majority of the 2020-21 school year, she filled in for the elementary music teacher. She was dedicated to creating lessons and activities for the students to grow as musicians; despite her only background in music being in marching band. After that, she filled in for various teachers at the elementary level and was repeatedly requested by many teachers across the district to substitute based on her professionalism. This past summer, Miss Vlach took classes online to obtain her fourth and fifth grade endorsement in all subject levels. She is growing a love for photography and crafting; loves baking, reading, exploring new places, and being with her family. She hopes to help guide her students in understanding the work of those who have come before, and how to shape a story of their own for the future.