“We are so excited to welcome our newest #MinervaPride family members! 🦁❤️
Welcome to Lion Country—My Heart, My Home!
#MinervaPride
❤️ MINERVA LOCAL SCHOOLS
Convocation Day 2025
There is no place I’d rather be!
#MinervaPride • My Heart, My Home!
A Great Morning Celebrating the Start of the 2025-2026 School!
Go Lions! 🦁
Introducing two of our newest staff members at Minerva Local!! Please join us in welcoming Tania Monk and Shirley Pitts, who will be kicking off the school year as a bus aides in the transportation department!
Read on to learn a bit about these ladies:
Name: Tania Monk
Position: Bus Aide
Previous Experience: Mrs. Monk comes to us from Stark State College’s office of Student Support where she has worked for the last six years. Prior to that she worked for Ameridial here in Minerva.
Hobbies: Tania enjoys reading, swimming, traveling, spending time with her family and watching the Cincinnati Bengals. Who Dey!
Favorite School Memory: Mrs. Monk’s favorite school memories are Mr A always reminding them to have love in our hearts, her amazing teachers, the friendships and bonds that were made, and of course Friday night football games!
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Tania is looking forward to working for her home district with an amazing team and getting to know the awesome students.
Name: Shirley Pitts
Position: Bus Aide
Previous Experience: Mrs. Pitts has experience in both retail as well as factory machine operation, but is new to the bus aide world.
Hobbies: Shirley enjoys riding her bike and being involved in activities at her church.
Favorite School Memory: Mrs. Pitts favorite school memory was spending time with the people around her as it always seemed to put a smile on her face.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Shirley is looking forward to seeing and meeting new children. Learning how they enjoyed summer break.
Please give Tania and Shirley a big MinervaPride welcome!
Read on to learn a bit about these ladies:
Name: Tania Monk
Position: Bus Aide
Previous Experience: Mrs. Monk comes to us from Stark State College’s office of Student Support where she has worked for the last six years. Prior to that she worked for Ameridial here in Minerva.
Hobbies: Tania enjoys reading, swimming, traveling, spending time with her family and watching the Cincinnati Bengals. Who Dey!
Favorite School Memory: Mrs. Monk’s favorite school memories are Mr A always reminding them to have love in our hearts, her amazing teachers, the friendships and bonds that were made, and of course Friday night football games!
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Tania is looking forward to working for her home district with an amazing team and getting to know the awesome students.
Name: Shirley Pitts
Position: Bus Aide
Previous Experience: Mrs. Pitts has experience in both retail as well as factory machine operation, but is new to the bus aide world.
Hobbies: Shirley enjoys riding her bike and being involved in activities at her church.
Favorite School Memory: Mrs. Pitts favorite school memory was spending time with the people around her as it always seemed to put a smile on her face.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Shirley is looking forward to seeing and meeting new children. Learning how they enjoyed summer break.
Please give Tania and Shirley a big MinervaPride welcome!
Teachers and staff have the building looking good and ready to go!!!! We are ready for kids.
Come check out class lists and room assignments tomorrow (Friday) after 4 p.m. at door A.
#Back to School # Go Lions.
#MinervaPride New Teacher Orientation! We are very excited to welcome talented staff members to Minerva Local!! Go Lions! 🦁
Get Ready for Kindergarten was filled with smiles, laughs, recess, and lunch. We even snuck in a quick trip to practice our rules for riding the bus!!!!
Way to go class of 2038. We can't wait to see you at meet the teacher night on Monday!
MES welcomed the class of 2038 today. Our staff and students kicked off the "Get Ready for Kindergarten" program today. We are excited to get busy helping each other while we learn and grow!
#MinervaPride — There’s No Place I’d Rather Be! 🦁✨
The Minerva Local Administrative Team had a fantastic day of professional learning at the Stark County Educational Service Center! We were inspired by a powerful message on perseverance from New York Times bestselling author Damon West, and it was an honor to hear from former Minerva Superintendent Mike Gallina as well.
Go Lions!🦁
🦁 Drive with Pride! 🦁
WE ARE HIRING!
Minerva Local Schools is seeking School Bus Drivers for the 2025-2026 school year.
Ready to get behind the wheel for our students?
Apply Today: https://www.mlsd.sparcc.org/o/mlsd/page/employment
#MinervaPride
WE ARE HIRING!
Minerva Local Schools is seeking School Bus Drivers for the 2025-2026 school year.
Ready to get behind the wheel for our students?
Apply Today: https://www.mlsd.sparcc.org/o/mlsd/page/employment
#MinervaPride
If your family would benefit from school supplies, please reach out to Ms. Monica at idem@minerva.sparcc.org #MinervaPride
🦁 Wrapping up an amazing final day of activities and fun at Minerva Elementary Summer Learning!
⭐️ Gold Star to staff and students for making it a summer to remember! 🌞📚👏 #MinervaPride
Introducing one of our newest staff members at Minerva Local!! Please join us in welcoming Avery Macesich, who will be kicking off the school year as a speech-language pathologist at Minerva Elementary and the Minerva Area Christian School!
Read on to learn a bit about Avery:
Name: Avery Macesich
Position: Speech-Language Pathologist via the Stark ESC
Previous Experience: Miss Macesich recently completed her graduate program at Ohio University with her externship experience split between Tuslaw, Northwest, and Fairless.
Hobbies: Avery loves spending time with her friends, family, and cat named Murphy! Recently, she has started collecting plants and has even dedicated a whole room in her house to them. In her free time, she loves going for walks and listening to music.
Favorite School Memory: Miss Macesich’s favorite school memory was working at the recreation center at her school. She got the opportunity to meet so many people and make lasting friendships!
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Miss Macesich is most looking forward to getting to meet all of the amazing students, families, and staff at Minerva that she will be working with this year!
Please give Avery a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Read on to learn a bit about Avery:
Name: Avery Macesich
Position: Speech-Language Pathologist via the Stark ESC
Previous Experience: Miss Macesich recently completed her graduate program at Ohio University with her externship experience split between Tuslaw, Northwest, and Fairless.
Hobbies: Avery loves spending time with her friends, family, and cat named Murphy! Recently, she has started collecting plants and has even dedicated a whole room in her house to them. In her free time, she loves going for walks and listening to music.
Favorite School Memory: Miss Macesich’s favorite school memory was working at the recreation center at her school. She got the opportunity to meet so many people and make lasting friendships!
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Miss Macesich is most looking forward to getting to meet all of the amazing students, families, and staff at Minerva that she will be working with this year!
Please give Avery a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Introducing one of our newest staff members at Minerva Local!! Please join us in welcoming Julie Walker, who will be kicking off the school year in the kitchen at Minerva Middle School!
Read on to learn a bit about Julie:
Name: Julie Walker
Position: Nutrition Staff
Previous Experience: Up until its closing in the spring, Julie was a very familiar face offering a helpful hand at Rite Aid as a supervisor. She also began subbing in our cafeterias last year.
Hobbies: Julie enjoys reading and gardening in her free time.
Favorite School Memory: Mrs. Walker’s fondest memories of school originated out of art class with Mr. Butterworth.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Julie is most looking forward to working with the kind and caring people of Minerva Middle School.
Please give Julie a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Read on to learn a bit about Julie:
Name: Julie Walker
Position: Nutrition Staff
Previous Experience: Up until its closing in the spring, Julie was a very familiar face offering a helpful hand at Rite Aid as a supervisor. She also began subbing in our cafeterias last year.
Hobbies: Julie enjoys reading and gardening in her free time.
Favorite School Memory: Mrs. Walker’s fondest memories of school originated out of art class with Mr. Butterworth.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Julie is most looking forward to working with the kind and caring people of Minerva Middle School.
Please give Julie a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Introducing one of our newest staff members at Minerva Local!! Please join us in welcoming Wendy Kocher, who will be kicking off the school year in the kitchen at Minerva Elementary School!
Read on to learn a bit about Wendy:
Name: Wendy Kocher
Position: Nutrition Staff
Previous Experience: Mrs. Kocher is likely a familiar face to many as she is a hair stylist in town.
Hobbies: Wendy enjoys running and spending time with her family.
Favorite School Memory: Spending time with her friends during school and in different activities are Wendy’s favorite school memories.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Wendy is most looking forward to getting to know the students and staff at MES!
Please give Wendy a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Read on to learn a bit about Wendy:
Name: Wendy Kocher
Position: Nutrition Staff
Previous Experience: Mrs. Kocher is likely a familiar face to many as she is a hair stylist in town.
Hobbies: Wendy enjoys running and spending time with her family.
Favorite School Memory: Spending time with her friends during school and in different activities are Wendy’s favorite school memories.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Wendy is most looking forward to getting to know the students and staff at MES!
Please give Wendy a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Introducing one of our newest staff members at Minerva Local!! Please join us in welcoming Jacob Cruz-Perez, who will be kicking off the school year as a Social Studies teacher at Minerva Middle School!
Read on to learn a bit about Jacob:
Name: Jacob Cruz-Perez
Position: Social Studies Teacher
Previous Experience: Jacob is a recent Walsh University graduate who completed his student teaching experience at Marlington High School where he taught World History and Government.
Hobbies: Jacob’s hobbies include participating in activities with family and friends as well as coaching!
Favorite School Memory: Mr. Perez’s favorite school memories revolve around being blessed with friends and family who have guided him and pushed me to become the person he is today.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Jacob is most looking forward to developing into an outstanding teacher and creating core memories with all of his students!
Please give Jacob a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Read on to learn a bit about Jacob:
Name: Jacob Cruz-Perez
Position: Social Studies Teacher
Previous Experience: Jacob is a recent Walsh University graduate who completed his student teaching experience at Marlington High School where he taught World History and Government.
Hobbies: Jacob’s hobbies include participating in activities with family and friends as well as coaching!
Favorite School Memory: Mr. Perez’s favorite school memories revolve around being blessed with friends and family who have guided him and pushed me to become the person he is today.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Jacob is most looking forward to developing into an outstanding teacher and creating core memories with all of his students!
Please give Jacob a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Introducing one of our newest staff members at Minerva Local!! Please join us in welcoming Lily Jones, who will be kicking off the school year as a title tutor at Minerva Elementary School!
Read on to learn a bit about Lily:
Name: Lily Jones
Position: Title Tutor
Previous Experience: Lily spent last year supporting the young students at Louisville. She student taught at the kindergarten level last fall and then came back to support that grade level for two long-term coverages in the spring.
Hobbies: Lily’s hobbies include hiking, fishing, traveling, going to Cleveland Guardians baseball games, and shopping!
Favorite School Memory: Miss Jones’ favorite school memory was playing for her high school lacrosse team, where she got to make a lot of life-long friends.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Miss Jones is looking forward to making learning fun and getting to know her students and their favorite things.
Please give Lily a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Read on to learn a bit about Lily:
Name: Lily Jones
Position: Title Tutor
Previous Experience: Lily spent last year supporting the young students at Louisville. She student taught at the kindergarten level last fall and then came back to support that grade level for two long-term coverages in the spring.
Hobbies: Lily’s hobbies include hiking, fishing, traveling, going to Cleveland Guardians baseball games, and shopping!
Favorite School Memory: Miss Jones’ favorite school memory was playing for her high school lacrosse team, where she got to make a lot of life-long friends.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Miss Jones is looking forward to making learning fun and getting to know her students and their favorite things.
Please give Lily a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Introducing one of our newest staff members at Minerva Local!! Please join us in welcoming Natalie Hinkle, who will be kicking off the school year as an art teacher at Minerva Middle School!
Read on to learn a bit about Natalie:
Name: Natalie Hinkle
Position: Art Teacher
Previous Experience: Natalie is a recent graduate of the University of Mount Union, having just completed her student teaching with the Dukes of Marlington, where she was able to teach two levels of art class as well as a drawing and sculpture class!
Hobbies: Natalie’s hobbies include painting, drawing, and spending time outside and with friends and family.
Favorite School Memory: “In high school, I was part of a small Pre-Med career and technical education class that quickly became one of my favorite classes. I absolutely loved both my teacher and classmates. Despite our differences, we spent so much time together that we became like a little family. Each day in that class was genuinely exciting, we were constantly learning new things through hands-on activities that made everything feel engaging and meaningful. While I didn’t end up pursuing a career in Pre-Med, the sense of community and the learning environment left a lasting impression and remains one of my favorite high school memories.”
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Miss Hinkle is most excited about getting to know her students and becoming part of the school community. She is also really looking forward to learning alongside them and growing as both a teacher and a person.
Please give Natalie a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Introducing one of our newest staff members at Minerva Local!! Please join us in welcoming Kamryn Bondoni, who will be kicking off the school year as a Spanish teacher at Minerva High School!
Read on to learn a bit about Kamryn:
Name: Kamryn Bondoni
Position: Spanish Teacher
Previous Experience: Kamryn is a Mount Union graduate having just completed her student teaching this spring at Tallmadge City Schools.
Hobbies: Kamryn’s hobbies include traveling, hiking, reading, spending time with family, and caring for her two cats; Geronimo and Linguini.
Favorite School Memory: Her favorite school memory was when her students at Tallmadge Middle School threw a huge fiesta to say goodbye on her last day of student teaching this past semester.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Miss Bondoni is most looking forward to beginning her first official job as a teacher. She can’t wait to meet her students this fall and start to build relationships with them! If you are in her class, get excited because good things are coming :)
Please give Miss Bondoni a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Read on to learn a bit about Kamryn:
Name: Kamryn Bondoni
Position: Spanish Teacher
Previous Experience: Kamryn is a Mount Union graduate having just completed her student teaching this spring at Tallmadge City Schools.
Hobbies: Kamryn’s hobbies include traveling, hiking, reading, spending time with family, and caring for her two cats; Geronimo and Linguini.
Favorite School Memory: Her favorite school memory was when her students at Tallmadge Middle School threw a huge fiesta to say goodbye on her last day of student teaching this past semester.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Miss Bondoni is most looking forward to beginning her first official job as a teacher. She can’t wait to meet her students this fall and start to build relationships with them! If you are in her class, get excited because good things are coming :)
Please give Miss Bondoni a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Introducing one of our newest staff members joining us via the Stark County ESC!! Please join us in welcoming Brickell Fry, who will be kicking off the school year as an educational aide at Minerva Preschool!
Read on to learn a bit about Brickell:
Name: Brickell Fry
Position: Educational Aide
Previous Experience: Brickell is a Kent State graduate with a degree in early childhood education. She has worked as an educational aide and has been a regular substitute for area schools.
Hobbies: Brickell’s hobbies include watching her children’s sporting events, attending concerts, and making memories with friends and family.
Favorite School Memory: Her favorite school memory is making friends that have lasted into adulthood.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Brickell is most looking forward to witnessing children foster a love of learning and working with the outstanding preschool staff at MES!
Please give Mrs. Fry a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Read on to learn a bit about Brickell:
Name: Brickell Fry
Position: Educational Aide
Previous Experience: Brickell is a Kent State graduate with a degree in early childhood education. She has worked as an educational aide and has been a regular substitute for area schools.
Hobbies: Brickell’s hobbies include watching her children’s sporting events, attending concerts, and making memories with friends and family.
Favorite School Memory: Her favorite school memory is making friends that have lasted into adulthood.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Brickell is most looking forward to witnessing children foster a love of learning and working with the outstanding preschool staff at MES!
Please give Mrs. Fry a big MinervaPride welcome!
#Minervapride
Introducing one of our newest staff members at Minerva Local!! Please join us in welcoming back Mason Middleton, who will be kicking off the school year as a math teacher at Minerva High School!
Read on to learn a bit about Mason:
Name: Mason Middleton
Position: Math Teacher
Previous Experience: Mason is a returning Lion, having previously taught at Minerva Middle School. After a brief stint at a neighboring District, he is happy to be coming back!
Hobbies: Mason’s hobbies include playing a round of golf and he is known to dominate a video game or two.
Favorite School Memory: His favorite school memory was the seventh grade class trip to Baltimore.
Most Looking Forward To This Year: Mr. Middleton is most looking forward to the opportunity to teach college credit plus courses this year at Minerva High School.
Please give Mason a big MinervaPride welcome back!
#Minervapride
