Leadership & staff

A virtual school is still run by people - and at GOVS, there are a lot of them. Meet the team behind the school: the leaders, teachers, coaches, and counselors working every day to help students graduate.

GOVS serving students across Ohio

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The team leading GOVS

GOVS is led by a team responsible for the direction of the school and the success of every student. Get to know the people guiding the work.

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Kelsey Baker-Straus
Kelsey Baker-Straus
Academic Coach
kelsey.bakerstraus@mygovs.com
Kelsey Baker-Straus
Kelsey Baker-Straus
Academic Coach
kelsey.bakerstraus@mygovs.com

This is my fourth year as an Academic Coach. I came to GOVS after working in Wraparound for Montgomery County.

Prior to that, I graduated Cum Laude from Cal State Dominguez Hills with a BA in Sociology.

As an Academic Coach, I feel it is crucial to break down barriers and identify strengths when trying to formulate a plan for every student to be successful at GOVS, and beyond.

Fun fact: I am originally from Redondo Beach, CA, and have two pups named DIXON (california husky) and MITZI (ohio mutt rescue).

Melanie Barnes
Melanie Barnes
Tutor & Intervention Specialist (Full-Time)
melanie.barnes@mygovs.com
Melanie Barnes
Melanie Barnes
Tutor & Intervention Specialist (Full-Time)
melanie.barnes@mygovs.com
Shelley Bogaert
Shelley Bogaert
Academic Coach
shelley.bogaert@mygovs.com
Shelley Bogaert
Shelley Bogaert
Academic Coach
shelley.bogaert@mygovs.com

My name is Shelley Bogaert and I am a graduate of Bowling Green State University (Elementary Education) and the University of Cincinnati (School Administration).

My adventures in the field of education span 30+ years and include middle school teacher, Math/Science Instructional Coach and Middle School Administrator. My husband, Chris, and I live in Lebanon and are the proud parents of two adult daughters, Breanna who works for the Columbus BlueJackets and Hannah who is an attorney at Cincinnati Legal Aid. I love football (Go Buck and Bengals!), music (my latest concert was Post Malone and Jelly Roll), and food (anything Italian and I am all in)

I am looking forward to my next adventure in the field of education and am excited to learn and work with everyone at GOVS.

Laura Clark
Laura Clark
Academic Coach
laura.clark@mygovs.com
Laura Clark
Laura Clark
Academic Coach
laura.clark@mygovs.com

Laura Clark is a committed Academic Coach who is currently in her second year at Greater Ohio Virtual School (GOVS).  

Laura has a Bachelor of Secondary Education from Northern Kentucky University with a concentration in English, Reading and History, Laura has experience as a classroom teacher and curriculum developer in districts like Little Miami, Mason, Kings, and Lebanon. With a strong desire to assist students in realizing their potential, she develops individualized success plans by removing obstacles and utilizing assets. Laura makes sure every school year has an impact by thriving on building connections with students and their families.  

When Laura is not at GOVS she likes to spend time with her family, travel, and snuggle her three dogs.

Cheryl Czulewicz
Cheryl Czulewicz
Psychologist
cheryl.czulewiczm@mygovs.com
Cheryl Czulewicz
Cheryl Czulewicz
Psychologist
cheryl.czulewiczm@mygovs.com
Greg Finke
Greg Finke
Testing Coordinator & Graduation Pathways
greg.finke@mygovs.com
Greg Finke
Greg Finke
Testing Coordinator & Graduation Pathways
greg.finke@mygovs.com
Sam Garner
Sam Garner
Student Center Safety Specialist
sam.garner@mygovs.com
Sam Garner
Sam Garner
Student Center Safety Specialist
sam.garner@mygovs.com
Sharin Green
Sharin Green
Principal
sharin.green@mygovs.com
Sharin Green
Sharin Green
Principal
sharin.green@mygovs.com

My name is Sharin Green, and I am the Student Services Director. I began my career in education as a school psychologist and served in that role for eleven years before transitioning to special education administration in 2016. I earned my M.A., M.S., Ed.S, and superintendent licensure from Miami University and principal licensure from Mt. St. Joseph University.

When not involved with family activities, I spend my spare time reading, exercising, and am passionate about animal rescue. I reside in Butler County with my husband and two children.

Laura Gregory
Laura Gregory
Intervention Specialist (Full-Time)
laura.gregory@mygovs.com
Laura Gregory
Laura Gregory
Intervention Specialist (Full-Time)
laura.gregory@mygovs.com

Additional Staff

Bill Harris
Bill Harris
Social Studies
bill.harris@mygovs.com
Bill Harris
Bill Harris
Social Studies
bill.harris@mygovs.com
Leah Hellemann
Leah Hellemann
Science
leah.hellemann@mygovs.com
Leah Hellemann
Leah Hellemann
Science
leah.hellemann@mygovs.com
Jim Helsinger
Jim Helsinger
Social Studies
jim.helsinger@mygovs.com
Jim Helsinger
Jim Helsinger
Social Studies
jim.helsinger@mygovs.com
Pam Helsinger
Pam Helsinger
Social Studies & Tutor
pam.helsinger@mygovs.com
Pam Helsinger
Pam Helsinger
Social Studies & Tutor
pam.helsinger@mygovs.com
Vince Henley
Vince Henley
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
vince.henley@mygovs.com
Vince Henley
Vince Henley
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
vince.henley@mygovs.com
Joe Howard
Joe Howard
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
joe.howard@mygovs.com
Joe Howard
Joe Howard
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
joe.howard@mygovs.com
Louise Jordan
Louise Jordan
Math
louise.jordan@mygovs.com
Louise Jordan
Louise Jordan
Math
louise.jordan@mygovs.com
Jamie Kruithoff
Jamie Kruithoff
Health
jamie.kruithoff@mygovs.com
Jamie Kruithoff
Jamie Kruithoff
Health
jamie.kruithoff@mygovs.com
Ren Lawwell
Ren Lawwell
Tutor
ren.lawwell@mygovs.com
Ren Lawwell
Ren Lawwell
Tutor
ren.lawwell@mygovs.com
Linda Little
Linda Little
Language Arts
linda.little@mygovs.com
Linda Little
Linda Little
Language Arts
linda.little@mygovs.com
Wendy Luers
Wendy Luers
Tutor
wendy.luers@mygovs.com
Wendy Luers
Wendy Luers
Tutor
wendy.luers@mygovs.com
Lorie Mitter
Lorie Mitter
Business
lorie.mitter@mygovs.com
Lorie Mitter
Lorie Mitter
Business
lorie.mitter@mygovs.com
Ben Mocahbee
Ben Mocahbee
Math
ben.mocahbee@mygovs.com
Ben Mocahbee
Ben Mocahbee
Math
ben.mocahbee@mygovs.com
Kate Monson
Kate Monson
Language Arts
kate.monson@mygovs.com
Kate Monson
Kate Monson
Language Arts
kate.monson@mygovs.com
Elaine Nichols
Elaine Nichols
Tutor
elaine.nichols@mygovs.com
Elaine Nichols
Elaine Nichols
Tutor
elaine.nichols@mygovs.com
Tiffany Pease
Tiffany Pease
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
tiffany.pease@mygovs.com
Tiffany Pease
Tiffany Pease
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
tiffany.pease@mygovs.com
Dave Peterson
Dave Peterson
Tutor
dave.peterson@mygovs.com
Dave Peterson
Dave Peterson
Tutor
dave.peterson@mygovs.com
Katie Rogers
Katie Rogers
Family and Consumer Science
katie.rogers@mygovs.com
Katie Rogers
Katie Rogers
Family and Consumer Science
katie.rogers@mygovs.com
Trina Saylor
Trina Saylor
Language Arts
trina.saylor@mygovs.com
Trina Saylor
Trina Saylor
Language Arts
trina.saylor@mygovs.com
Steve Schlager
Steve Schlager
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
steve.schlager@mygovs.com
Steve Schlager
Steve Schlager
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
steve.schlager@mygovs.com
Susan Seitz
Susan Seitz
Technology & Science
susan.seitz@mygovs.com
Susan Seitz
Susan Seitz
Technology & Science
susan.seitz@mygovs.com
Tracy Showalter
Tracy Showalter
Language Arts
tracy.showalter@mygovs.com
Tracy Showalter
Tracy Showalter
Language Arts
tracy.showalter@mygovs.com
Christina Sidaras
Christina Sidaras
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
christina.sidaras@mygovs.com
Christina Sidaras
Christina Sidaras
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
christina.sidaras@mygovs.com
Heather Smith
Heather Smith
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
heather.smith@mygovs.com
Heather Smith
Heather Smith
Intervention Specialist (Part Time)
heather.smith@mygovs.com

The people behind every part of the school

Behind the scenes, GOVS runs much like any school - with full departments dedicated to teaching, support, and student success:

Teachers

Teachers

We have certified instructors for every course, ensuring you receive the best guidance and support throughout your learning journey.

Academic coaches

Academic coaches

Each student's assigned guide for goals and progress is essential for tracking their achievements.

Counselors

Counselors

College, career, and personal support are essential pillars for success. They provide the guidance and resources needed.

Student services

Student services

special education, 504, mental health, and English Learner support

Testing, attendance, and technology

Testing, attendance, and technology

the teams that keep everything running

Real GOVS students and families featured in testimonial photos

Real faces, one consistent standard

Need to reach a specific staff member?

Need to reach a specific staff member?

Have questions about how GOVS works? Our full FAQ covers everything from enrollment and credits to testing, graduation, and day-to-day life.