Administration:
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Shanna Smith moved to St. Louis with her family in 2010. Shanna has a Master of Arts in Leadership and Teaching from Notre Dame of Maryland University. She has worked in special education for over 15 years at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She is certified to teach in Missouri in both elementary education, 1-8 and Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical, K-12.
Tamara has over 27 years of teaching experience in a variety of special education settings, including self-contained, resource support, and co-teaching. She has a Master of Special Education and is certified in ED/BD Elementary, 1-6; and Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical, K-12.
Kim has been working at The Lead School since 2019 and has over twelve years experience working with children of all ages, including 4 years as an administrative assistant. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood and is bilingual. Kim is also a certified med aide.
Teachers:
Kristin Stellhorn
Lower Elementary
Kstellhorn@theleadschool.com
Will Cox
Science
wcox@theleadschool.com
Will has 7 years of teaching experience in a variety of special education settings, including 3 years at The Lead School as a paraprofessional. Will has a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Lindenwood University. Will is currently enrolled in an approved D.E.S.E. teacher certification program.
Heather Dattilo
Upper Elementary
hdattilo@theleadschool.com
Heather has spent seventeen years in education. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Webster University and her Master's Degree in Reading from Fontbonne University. Her experience encompasses both the general education setting as well as the special education setting. She was most recently a reading specialist in one of the school districts in St. Louis and is excited to be a part of the Lead School.
Marci has over 15 years of teaching experience in a variety of school settings. She has certifications in Elementary Education, 1-6; Middle School Math, 5-9; and Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical, K-12. Marci is completing her Master of Education Learning and Technology degree.
Brad Peach
Social Studies
bpeach@theleadschool.com
Brad has been in education for 11 years and is in his eighth year of teaching. Brad graduated from Webster University with his bachelors degree in secondary education. Brad is certified in High School Social Studies.
Shannon Privott Walter
English
sprivottwalter@theleadschool.com
Shannon graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri with a Masters in Secondary Education and Inquiry emphasis in English Language Arts. For 11 years Shannon taught in multiple districts in the St. Louis and St. Charles areas and taught multiple levels in the high school setting. For the last 9 years Shannon has worked in child welfare and is now returning to education at The Lead School.
Support Staff:
Teonna Mitchell
Lead Behavior Specialist
tmitchell@theleadschool.com
Teonna has been with The Lead School for five years. She has been working in this field for a total of 21 years. Teonna is currently working on her associate degree in early childhood education. She is also a certified CNA, Medical assistant and a Medical technician-2.
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Rudy Mitchell
Lead Behavior Interventionist
rmitchell@theleadschool.com
Rudy has been at The Lead School for the past nine years and comes to us with many years experience working with students and in education.
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Chris Gilchrist
Lead Behavior Interventionist
cgilchrist@theleadschool.com;
Chris has been at The Lead School for a year, but comes to us with 18 years experience working in special education. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Theology. His personal belief in education is that "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Chris's desire to see students change, inspired and impacted, so that they can fulfill their dreams.
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