Meet some of the extraordinary people that teach and lead in our schools and find out why they work at Lighthouse Academies.

Michelle Clayborn
Family Coordinator, Bronzeville Lighthouse, Chicago, IL
Date Joined LHA: May 2006
Undergraduate School and Degree: BA in Liberal Arts from Columbia College
Graduate School and Degree: MA in Education Leadership from National Louis University
Previous jobs held & places worked prior to LHA: I taught with the Archdiocese of Chicago for many years and as a Director of a Early Childhood Center.
What do you love about your job? I love the fact that I have been here since the beginning and have established a strong sense of community amongst our families.
"I teach and lead at Lighthouse Academies because...I am able to make a difference and be apart of a successful learning environment."

Megan Kimpton
Director of Instruction Lower Academy, Bronx Lighthouse, Bronx, NY
Date Joined LHA: July 1, 2009
Undergraduate School and Degree:University of Michigan, B.A. Elementary Education
Graduate School and Degree:Northern Illinois University, B.S. Educational Administration
Previous jobs held & places worked prior to LHA: Learning Specialist, New York; 2nd Grade Teacher/5th Grade Teacher, Chicago; 4th Grade Teacher, Minneapolis
What do you love about your job? I love working with an incredibly passionate and committed group of people.
"I teach and lead at Lighthouse Academies because...I believe every child can succeed in school."

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Amanda Koth
Director of Instruction for Lower Academy, Indianapolis Lighthouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date Joined LHA:  July 8, 2008
Undergraduate School and Degree:  Ball State University, BS in Elementary Education
Graduate School and Degree:  Currently pursuing an Administrative Master's degree at Ball State University
Previous jobs held & places worked prior to LHA:  Taught for four years in Indianapolis Public Schools, 3rd grade and 4th grade. 
What do you love about your job?  I love having the opportunity to work with teachers on how to implement best practices in the classroom.  I love when I see their "lightbulbs" go off and learn something new about becoming a master teacher.
“I teach and lead at Lighthouse Academies because...I believe in creating an environment in which all students receive a quality education, and because I believe that I can make a difference in many of our students lives."

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Evan McGrew
Teacher Leader Fellow, 5th/6th Grade Science, Jacksonville Lighthouse, Jacksonville, AR
Date Joined LHA: July 2009
Undergraduate School and Degree: Henderson State University (Arkadelphia, AR), BSE Physical Education
Graduate School and Degree: Henderson State University, MS Sports Administration, MS Building Level Administration
Previous jobs held & places worked prior to LHA: Magnet Cove School District (Malvern, AR), 7th & 8th Science/High School Baseball Coach
What do you love about your job? I truly enjoy watching middle school aged children develop and grow into responsible and successful young adults. I love being able to share with each student my passion for the Science discipline.
"I teach and lead at Lighthouse Academies because...I feel that LHA is a perfect example of what the future of education holds within our nation's public school systems."

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Kim Sherk
Teacher Leader Fellow, 3rd Grade, Potomac Lighthouse, Washington, D.C.
Date Joined LHA: July 2009
Undergraduate School and Degree: BS in Elementary Education - Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL MA Reading Instruction and Remediation, Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois
Graduate School and Degree: MA Reading Instruction and Remediation, Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois
Previous jobs held & places worked prior to LHA: Williams Renaissance Academy, Chicago, IL; Chicago International Charter Schools, Writewood Campus; Highland Elementary School, 3rd grade
What do you love about your job? I love that my students love learning, and that all of my students try their best. I also love that I am able to share my experience with other teachers.
“I teach and lead at Lighthouse Academies because... I feel that this is a place where I actually make a difference in the lives of children every day. I also love that people appreciate the work that I do on a daily basis."

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Kristie Sweeney
Regional Director, Indianapolis, IN
Date Joined LHA:  January 2008
Undergraduate School and Degree:  Franklin College
Graduate School and Degree:  Indiana Wesleyan, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction; Indiana Wesleyan, Administrative Licensure, Walden University: Currently working on ED.D in Administrative Leadership
Previous jobs held & places worked prior to LHA: Principal, Indianapolis Public Schools; Title I Coordinator, Indianapolis Public Schools; Teacher, Indianapolis Public Schools
What do you love about your job?  The ability to collaborate and work with others to implement systemic change and growth in leaders, teachers, and students.
“I teach and lead at Lighthouse Academies because...I want to change the face of education in Indianapolis."

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Regional Director
Indianapolis, IN

Principals

Directors of Instruction
Bronx, NY
Indianapolis, IN

Family Coordinators
Chicago, IL

Teacher Leader Fellows
Science Grades 5/6: Jacksonville, AR
Grade 3: Washington, D.C.