4th Grade Math

My name is Shirmaine Vaughn, 4th grade Math teacher. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Major in Speech and Theater Art at Philippine Normal University - National Center  for Teacher Education. This is my 7th year teaching. I taught 2nd grade in the Philippines for 2 years, preschool in Japan for 2 years, and 3rd grade here in the United States for 2 years as well. I love how DLA invests and supports their teachers to make sure students get the best education and be successful in everything they do..

4th Grade ELA

Ms. Taylor Willoughby is a 4th grade English Language Arts teacher who is passionate about fostering positive, engaging relationships with her students and their families. She believes that education is the foundation for lifelong success and meaningful change. Ms. Willoughby earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Western Governors University and is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive classroom where all students can thrive.

Fran Alvis was born in Covington, Kentucky and moved to Wilmington, Ohio when she was 9 years old. She remembers loving school, so being asked to join the Dayton Leadership Academies team in 2016 as the Director of Operations was a most welcome career change. Prior to DLA she worked in the non-profit sector for most of her career. Her most memorable experiences include housing and neighborhood development in Dayton, directing a healthcare for the homeless clinic and an HIV/AIDS service center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and coordinating services for elderly and disabled adults in Lexington, Kentucky. Mrs. Alvis earned her Bachelor’s degree in horticulture and business from the University of Kentucky and her Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Wright State University. She and her husband have 4 children and 5 grandchildren, and she enjoys cooking and gardening.

6th Grade Math

5th Grade ELA

K-2 Intervention Specalist

8th Grade Intervention Specalist

3rd Grade Teacher

4th Grade Science/SS

K-2 Intervention

Dean of Students
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K-2 Intervention

3-4th Grade Intervention Specialist

Mrs. Herron was born and raised in Dayton,OH. She has her Associates Degree, and is currently attending Central State University to finish her Degree in Education. Mrs. Herron has six years of experience in Education; three of those years were spent with DPS. She has two children that inspire her everyday to be a better educator. 

4-6 Reading Intervention

Mrs. Kisker grew up in the Detroit area of MI. She earned a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Wheaton College in IL; a Master's of Fine Arts degree from Brandeis University in MA; and a Certificate of Shakespeare performance from the London Academy of Performing Arts in the UK. She created her one-woman cabaret show of Shakespeare songs, sonnets, and speeches and performed it in various cities from New York to San Francisco. She was a founding member of Gads Hill Theater Company in NYC. She has taught middle school drama, Kindermusik, and preaching to MDiv students for a total of 20 years. Twelve years ago, Mrs. Kisker and her husband moved from Washington, D.C. to Dayton, OH with their five children. Mrs. Kisker loves being a Reading Interventionist at DLA and now holds training certificates in Wilson Phonics and The Writing Revolution. She enjoys collaborating with her colleagues and loves their rich sense of humor. Mrs. Kisker believes that each student has genius and must find their way to love being a reader and writer through joyful, daily discipline. 

5th-6th Grade Intervention Specialist

Mrs. Kraft has her Masters in Middle School Teaching.  This is her second year at DLA. She loves the DLA model and how invested the school is in helping students be successful. 

Intervention Specialist 4-5th Grade

Mr. Lewis attended Sinclair Community College and received his Associates Degree in Liberal Arts.  He also has a B.A. in Organizational Leadership. He has served as a mentor in the inner city group for 17 years, been a youth Pastor and a youth specialist at Omega Baptist Church and Fort McKinley Church.  He loves the flexibility, resources and loving atmosphere of DLA.

Intervention Coordinator

Ms. Mitchell has her Masters in Educational Leadership.  She has been a teacher for 17 years! She enjoys collaborating with the DLA staff and learning new information to assist student learning experiences.

Reading Intervention 2-3rd Grade

Ms. Stanley has her Bachelors in  Early Childhood Education, from Lourdes University. She has been teaching for 4 years as a 3rd grade teacher and, 5 years in preschool. She  loves that the DLA community feels like a family.

JA Intervention Specialist

Mr. Weimer received his BS in Secondary Education from Indiana University. He is currently attending the University of Dayton in pursuit of a Graduate Degree. He is married, has three grown children, and also has a five month old grandson. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and listening to music.

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