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..

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.

4th Grade ELA

K-2 Intervention Specalist

7th Grade Intervention Teacher

3rd Grade Teacher

4th Grade Science/SS

Family and Engagement Coordinator

K-2 Academy Dean of Students
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K-2 Intervention

4th Grade Intervention Teacher

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. 

4th Grade 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. 

Subsitute Teacher

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 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.

7th/8th Grade 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.

Health and Movement

Music Teacher

Mr. McCall is the Music Teacher/ Music Director of Voice of DLA Choir, here at The Dayton Leadership Academy with over 25 years of experience in General Music Education, Choral Singing, Music History. He is a Native of Detroit ,MI., where he began his education. He received his B.A. in Vocal Performance from Wilberforce University.  He also has a Degree in  Audio Recording Engineering from International College of Broadcasting. McCall has done Graduate studies work at University of Dayton and is currently working on his Master’s in Education at Grand Canyon University. Mr. McCall  is an excellent singer who has appeared on 10 cd’s .McCall has Produced, Arranged , and Composed music for himself and Artist around the country. His latest song being The DLA school song completed .  

Mr. McCall has enjoyed developing the young minds of thousands of youth and young adults around Montgomery Country as they explore the journey into the never ending world of Music. McCall believes by teaching them music, it will make a lasting impression in the world. Last year Mr. McCall started the Voices Of DLA and they had great success.  The Choir consists of 25 Voices starting at 3rd - 5th Graders. They finished the year with four Performances.

 “Music is a Universal language that reaches all, starting from the heart”, (RMcCall).

Physical Education Teacher

Miss Phelps is a native of Dayton, Ohio and joined Dayton Leadership Academy in 2015. She is a graduate of Colonel White High School and Central State University where she received her Bachelor’s in Physical Education. She has been able to leave a mark in the education field for over ten years serving in the areas of administration, counselor, tutor, and educator. She enjoys basketball, something that secured her scholarship to Central State University, and she still plays today. She is currently Assistant Coach of the girls basketball and track teams at Dayton Leadership Academy.

The unique thing about DLA is everyone is integrated well and all want the best for each student. It truly is a team effort for the better good of the students and the staff. Becoming a part of the DLA staff was an easy decision once she realized how the school’s goals for student success aligned with her goals. She aspires to empower students with the belief that they can do anything if they set goals and work hard.

Art Teacher

Miss Maiya graduated high school in Yellow Springs Ohio and obtained a bachelors of science in Fine Art from Skidmore College in upstate NY in 2014. She had the privilege to study abroad in Florence Italy where she furthered her Art education at (SACI) Studio Arts College International.

She has over 7 + years of experience teaching Art with various techniques to ALL ages.

She loves that DLA is such a close-knit community and could not ask for a better working environment. She thinks the staff pushes her to be a better version of herself.