HOOSIER COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY - Key Persons
Aaron Baugh is a CTE instructor and has taught at HCCA since 2019. He has a BS in history from Purdue University. He has five years of experience teaching technical education and social studies in middle school and high school.
Adam Ross has taught PE for 14 years in Indiana. He graduated from Ball State University and had coached basketball, baseball, and golf at the high school level. Adam is passionate about building motivation for students to live a healthier lifestyle. He believes improving daily habits in middle and high school students can help set them up for success in the future.
Fun Facts: Adam is a lifelong IU basketball fan and an avid golfer.
Alivia is excited to join HCCA as the new school counselor! She has a bachelor's degree in Telecommunications from Ball State University and a Master's degree in School Counseling from IUPUI. She began her counseling career in 2015 at the elementary level, working with grades KG-5. Alivia is married and has two children. Fun fact: I enjoy playing sports and traveling to new places.
Amanda Kramer has a BA degree from Purdue University in Visual Communication Design. She has experience in the graphic design industry where she has worked at both an advertising agency and done freelance design. Mrs. Kramer also worked for a year at the Logansport State Mental Hospital where she provided recreational therapy to patients with BiPolar, Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder. She has been a CTE graphic design and photography teacher for the past 18 years teaching at both North Putnam Community Schools and Logansport Community Schools. Mrs. Kramer is married, and she has two teenage boys. She stays busy going to sporting events and football is a big part of their lives.
Amanda Moor received her first degree in Political Science, with minors in International Studies and Journalism, with a plan to immediately pursue teaching her favorite topic - Social Studies. Her passion was put on hold for careers as a newspaper reporter, and then in college athletics, before ultimately returning to teach. Now, she shares her passion for Social Studies with her students.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Annie Wickersham has been a high school special education teacher and the department lead at HCCA since 2012. She holds a BS in education-special education, mild interventions. Before coming to HCCA, she taught for six years at Options Charter School in Noblesville, Indiana.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vice President of the Board
Job Titles:
- Middle School Science Teacher
Ashlee Deal graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in 2011. She has 11 years of experience teaching Science. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a science endorsement. Science has always been her favorite subject!
Brad Kill has been in teaching for 6 years now. He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and minor Psychology along with a Master of Science in Business and Organizational Leadership from Defiance College. Before coming into teaching Brad worked with youth and adolescents in the community and homebased settings. Brad has a passion for helping students achieve their goals. Brad enjoys spending time with family and friends along with helping out on his family farm.
Job Titles:
- Middle School Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Jones is starting his 34 th year as an educator (his 3 rd at HCCA). He graduated from IUPUI and Butler. Outside of school he enjoys spending time with his family and fishing. His favorite hobby is cooking.
Job Titles:
- High School Social Studies Teacher
Brian Nash had been a high school social studies teacher at HCCA since 2011. He has a degree in undergraduate social studies education.
Brooke is in her first full year as a school counselor at HCCA, joining the team in March 2023. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Indiana University and a Master of Education in School Counseling from the University of Saint Francis. She has worked in higher education for over 15 years as an advisor and admissions counselor.
FUN FACTS: Brooke has been married for 16 years and has 3 daughters. She loves seafood, Taco Tuesdays, and ice cream. Brooke has a knack for music trivia and hopes to one day be a contestant on a game show.
Job Titles:
- High School Science Teacher
Brooke Richardson graduated from Arizona State in 2008. She has 14 years of experience teaching Science. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education with two science endorsements, biology being her favorite.
Job Titles:
- CTE Instructor
- Education Instructor
Carla Gehlhausen has been HCCA's CTE computer education instructor since 2019. She holds a BS in accounting from Brescia University and an MA in education from Oakland City University. She taught in brick-and-mortar schools for seven years before joining HCCA. Prior to that she worked as an accountant for 30 years.
Job Titles:
- Counselor
- Student Counselor
Carley is a first year school counselor at HCCA. She has a bachelors degree in Psychology from IUPUI and a masters in school counseling/ counseling education. She has 6 years of experience working with youth one on one, teaching social emotional skills and developing different after school programs around Indianapolis.
Job Titles:
- Community Engagement Specialist
Christina Ingram has served as community engagement specialist since 2016. She has a master's degree in education and a teaching degree in English and journalism, grades 5-12. She also has 20 plus years teaching experience and two years experience as an academic advisor.
Colt Kanaley began his career in the special education field after graduating with a BA in Psychological Studies and an MA in Special Education Teaching. He graduated first from Ball State University, and again from the University of Saint Francis after finding his path in teaching. Outside of teaching and research, Mr. Kanaley enjoys spending time with his family and dog, gaming, and going on trips with his friends.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Colt Kanaley began his career in the special education field after graduating with a BA in Psychological Studies and an MA in Special Education Teaching. He graduated first from Ball State University, and again from the University of Saint Francis after finding his path in teaching. Outside of teaching and research, Mr. Kanaley enjoys spending time with his family and dog, gaming, and going on trips with his friends.
Job Titles:
- Accountability Coordinator
- Assessment and Accountability Coordinator
Crystal Goldsmith is the assessment and accountability coordinator for Hoosier College and Career Academy (HCCA). She started her professional career in the Indiana Department of Corrections where she became a supervisor for 7 years prior to transitioning into teaching. She comes from another Stride school where she taught the Criminal Justice CTE classes beginning in 2019. She enjoys training and teaching staff and students new skills.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Administrator, 504 Coordinator
Deb Fisher is our newest Special Education Administrator, however, she has been working in that role since 2009. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Special Education and has been a special education teacher for grades K-12, Diagnostician, Compliance Monitor, District Administrator and Case Conference Coordinator.
Ms. Cole has a BS in Animal Science from Purdue University, and a Master's in Education from Valparaiso University. Biology has always been a strong passion in her life from working with and caring for animals to working in the healthcare industry. Ms. Cole is excited to share her love of Biology with students and to bring her healthcare experience to the classroom!
Emily Rose Thiesing was a school psychologist intern for the 2022-2023 school year per the Ed.S. School Psychology program at Indiana State University. Emily earned an undergraduate B.A.S. degree in Equine Training and Instruction from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. Emily has previously worked in Youth Development for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. Emily enjoys horseback riding, road trips, and learning new things.
Job Titles:
- Middle School English Teacher
I love teaching because I love helping kids see their own potential. I have a degree in education from Michigan State University and a degree in English and history from the University of Illinois. My teaching experience is mostly at the middle school level, but I have also taught high school English. Middle school kids are my favorite age group! My son Joel is a freshman at IU. I hope I'm better able to relate to both students and their learning coaches because of my experiences with my son and his education.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Representative
- Case Conference Coordinator / Public Agency Rep
Erica Stephens has served as case conference coordinator and public agency representative since 2013. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree and has been a teacher for grades K-6, and 7-8 non-departmentalized; special education teacher for grades K-12, MIMD; school administrator for grades K-12; director of special education; a teacher for grades 1 and 3, and special education for nine years; principal for five years; and has been in her current position for more than six years.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Treasurer of the Board
Gena Franklin | Registrar
Gena Franklin has served as the registrar at HCCA since 2019.
She has more than 30 years of higher education.
Phone: 463.900.5321 | Email: gfranklin@hoosieracademy.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Ms. Joly has been teaching Special Education for the past 3 years. She graduated with her bachelor's degree at Indiana University Southeast and is currently finishing her master's degree at University of Indianapolis. She loves to coach and play volleyball during her free time. She also loves spending time with family and friends, going boating, traveling, and going on walks with her dogs.
Job Titles:
- High School English Teacher
Heather Baumann has been a high school English teacher at HCCA since 2019. She has a degree in secondary English language arts with a minor in literature. She has been helping students achieve success in the classroom for six years.
Holli Beckett was born, raised, and lives in Warren County, Indiana. She has been a teacher since 2003. She is licensed to teach English and ELL K-12, AP Literature and Language, and Dual Credit courses. She has taught English to all ages and types of learners and is passionate about building a love of learning.
Fun Fact: Holli lives on a farm with her husband and six children. She has a one-acre garden, chickens, and dogs. She loves making jams and jellies or canning in her free time.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- President of the Board
Jennifer has been working in education since 2009 when she started as a school counselor. She did transition to teaching junior high and high school students in business related areas for ten years and is now very excited to be back in the counseling role. Jennifer has three children, four dogs, and a cat.
Jennifer Fatool is beginning her 12 th year of teaching and is excited to join HCCA as a Credit Recovery instructor. She previously taught middle school science and high school Biology. Before teaching she was a real life scientist. She loves spending time with her husband and 3 young children. Her favorite hobbies are cooking fancy meals, walking, and renovating her old house.
Job Titles:
- High School Mathematics Teacher
John Casey has taught high school mathematics for 3 years. He is passionate about the subject because math is all around us! John tries to make that apparent in his lessons by using real-world examples. He believes that all students can learn. He also believes that perseverance and discipline are two keys to being successful.
Job Titles:
- Business CTE Instructor
- CTE Instructor
John Schellenberg has been the business CTE instructor at HCCA since 2017. He holds a BS in business administration and a teaching license. This is his 20th year teaching.
Job Titles:
- High School Science Teacher
John Osborn teaches math and science at HCCA. He as a bachelor's degree in physics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a master's degree in physics from the University of Arkansas. He has been teaching high school and middle school for eight years, and has been an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech Community College since 2007. Before he was a teacher, he was a computer engineer, so you can ask him about unix commands. He is a strong science technology engineering and math (STEM) advocate.
Fun fact: "My lifelong teaching goal is that one of my students will go to Rose-Hulman to help build the future."
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Katelyn Gehlhausen is HCCA's new middle school special education teacher. She has 5 years experience working in special education in the brick-and-mortar schools. She studied education and the German language at Purdue University. She holds a MS in education - special education and a BA in German language and literature. Katelyn is an avid runner and dog lover; adventures with her three boxer dogs are her favorite
Job Titles:
- High School English Teacher
Lindsay Free has been a high school English teacher at HCCA since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English education.
Lois Love has been with Hoosier Academy Network of Schools since 2018 ,with the exception of an eight- month absence in 2022. She has held several positions in her tenure at the school. She holds a bachelor's degree in business management as well as two master's degrees in Higher Education. She is an advocate for education and regards learning as fun.
Mallory Kindig is the English Interventionist & MTSS Coordinator. She went to Purdue University and has been with Hoosier since 2012. Previous to switching to Intervention, she had taught English grades 7-9 throughout her Hoosier years.
Maya Losnedahl holds a BA in English from the University of Iowa. She has experience teaching English to elementary, middle, and high school students in an online setting. She is passionate about sharing her love of reading, writing, and literary analysis.
Fun fact: I have three cats, but I only adopted one from a shelter. I found the other two outside!
Job Titles:
- Dropout Prevention Specialist
Mrs. Mullins has been with Hoosier Academy since 2016, and has a Master's Degree in Education. She has worked in education for 15 years both in and outside the classroom.
Job Titles:
- Middle School & High School Principal
Melissa Medinger was born and raised in Muncie, IN. She attended San Diego State University on a volleyball scholarship and received her Bachelor's in Political Science and French. Upon her return to Indiana, she completed a Biotechnology certification and Biology Master's program. She taught Biology in urban schools for the next several years after getting her MAT before transitioning into administration. She received her admin license through Marian University and has since added on an EL and High Ability license. She was the Assistant Principal at Paramount Englewood for three years prior to coming to HCCA.
Natalie Berry is a Credit Recovery teacher that started her career in education in 2011. She graduated with an M.Ed. from Valparaiso University and holds a B.A. in Sociology from Indiana University Northwest. Her passion for student success has led her to work as a university and K-12 school advisor, special education teacher, and ELL instructional assistant.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Nikki Lynch has been a special education teacher at HCCA since 2014. She holds a special education certificate of completion, K-6 general education license, and a K-12 special education license. She was a developmental preschool teacher from 2008 to 2014.
Job Titles:
- Special Projects & Grants Coordinator
Penny Lee was a school counselor for 12 years before transitioning to central office roles and has MEd degrees in School Counseling and Educational Psychology. She also worked at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis before transitioning to school counseling.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Board Secretary / Approved School Budgets
Mrs. Kaminski is the testing and school improvement coordinator. She graduated from Purdue University Northwest with a bachelors degree in Behavioral sciences. She later went back to school at Purdue and obtained my teaching license in Sociology. Collectively, she has been a teacher, academic interventionist, graduation coach, and an RTI coordinator over her years in education.
Job Titles:
- SEL Coordinator
- Social Emotional Learning ( SEL ) Coordinator
Sabrina Scroggin is the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator at HCCA. She has a Bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Science Education and a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Purdue University. She has worked as a FACS teacher, a Natural Helpers sponsor, a therapist, an internship director, a director of student learning and development for international students, and a graduation coach.
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- CRE and Credit Recovery Principal
Samantha Goldsmith is the academic administrator for Hoosier College and Career Academy (HCCA). She comes to Insight from another Stride school, where she had been an administrator since 2018. She enjoys building data culture and helping teachers be the best teachers that they can be.
Job Titles:
- Middle School Mathematics Teacher
Scott Eckert graduated from University of Toledo in 2002. He has 15 years experience as a classroom teacher in a variety of settings. Mr. Eckert is dual-certified in Mathematics and Special Education. He is aslo an entrepreneur in petroleum production and petrochemical manufacturing industries. He enjoys problem-solving, making real-world connections to Mathematics, and serving students and families across the spectrum.
Mr. Eckert is a passionate researcher of new and upcoming Quantum Computing/Financial Systems.
Job Titles:
- CTE Healthcare Occupations Instructor
Sherrie Shackelford is a CTE Healthcare Occupations instructor. She worked in healthcare for 17 years before becoming a teacher. She graduated from Western Governors University with a B.A. in Life Science education in 2013. This is her 10 th year teaching.
Job Titles:
- Instructor
- CTE Instructor
Susan Kuckie has been a CTE instructor at HCCA since fall 2020. She educational background includes family and consumer science education, business, and CTE. She has taught grades 7-12 throughout her 20-year teaching career. Her mission is to educate, inspire, and motivate young minds to build positive relationships, pursue their passions, and embrace happiness as a direction not a destination.
Fun fact: "My family and I love to travel, camp, and spend time in nature exploring. My personal hobbies include, reading, sewing/quilting, crafting, and cooking."
Tim Kasper graduated from Ball State University in 2000 with a BS in mathematics education. This will be his 22nd year in education. He has been a classroom teacher for 12 years and a director of eLearning for two years. For four years he was a teacher and an assistant administrator at a private school.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Mrs. York is a graduate of both Ball State University and University of Phoenix. She has been teaching for 26 1/2 years in both middle school and high school. Her degree is in elementary education (grades 1-6) and mild disabilities (k-12). This is her first experience with online school and she is excited for this new chapter! Mrs. York has been married for 30 years and have 3 boys. They are 28, 25 and 4 years old. She has two granddaughters and one grandson. She enjoys camping, reading and vacationing with her family!
Job Titles:
- Office Manager
- Safety Specialist
Tracy Thatcher serves as HCCA's office manager, school safety specialist, board liason, and facilities manager
Job Titles:
- Student Support Coordinator
- Support Coordinator for Hoosier College
Veronica Roberts is the new Student Support Coordinator for Hoosier College and Career Academy (HCCA). She attended Indiana University Bloomington and received her BS in Health Management and Policy. She also holds an MSW from Aurora University. She has almost a decade of experience in trauma-informed care, working with children on the Autism Spectrum, and working within various communities in Indianapolis. Veronica shares a home with her husband and their one-year-old son Tariq.