REACH Academy Charter School

Meet Our Staff

Administration

Linda Marszalek

Head of Schools

E-mail: lmarszalek@reachacademycharter.org

Mrs. Marszalek is an educator who brings more than 29 years of experience. She has extensive experience in leadership roles, including posts as a Chief Academic Officer and Head of School, Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean, Teacher and Speech Language Pathologist. Mrs. Marszalek is well known as a champion of instruction that is based on student achievement, culture building for teachers and staff, academic intervention services and responsible financial stewardship. She received her C.A.S. in Educational Administration and her M.S.in Education from the State University of New York College at Buffalo.

Michael Olsen

Director of Technology

Director of Facilities

E-mail: molsen@reachacademycharter.org

Mr. Olsen has been an educator for 16 years, 13 of which were in the City of Buffalo, working in both public and charter schools. Mr. Olsen brings experience in charter school operations, procurement practices, school data networking and facility management. He has also served as a Chief Information Officer, Director of Facilities, Instructional Technology Coach and Technology Education Teacher in Buffalo area schools. He obtained both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Technology Education from the State University College of New York at Buffalo.

Lisa Rogers

Dean of Students - DASA Liaison

Family Service Coordinator

E-mail: lrogers@reachacademycharter.org

Ms. Rogers holds an M.S. in Ed from Buffalo State College and a C.A.S. in Educational Administration and Supervision. She also has certifications in School and District Administration and Special Education K-12. She has served as an administrator and teacher in Buffalo area schools for 17 years, with extensive experience in the implementation of a school-wide Positive Behavior Intervention System, Coordination of After School Programs, and the Development of Classroom Management and Response to Intervention Strategies.

Amie Caster

Director of Operations

Director of Student Services

E-Mail: acaster@reachacademycharter.org

Mrs. Caster holds a BA in the Arts as well as a MA in Special Education from Daemen College. She also has a SDL in Educational Leadership from Canisius College. She has served as a special education classroom teacher and an administrator within the charter school setting for 15 years and has experience with the implementation of Response to Intervention, data analysis, and curriculum development.

Robin Nellis

Chief Information Officer- Student Intake Coordinator

E-mail: rnellis@reachacademycharter.org

Ms. Nellis has earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in English from the State University of New York College at Geneseo. Ms. Nellis will serve as CIO, In-Take Coordinator and Board Clerk for REACH Academy CS where she will oversee the student management system, in-take coordination of new students, district billing and student enrollment/attendance.

Anna Chiavaroli

ELA/ Math Instructional Coach

E-mail: achiavaroli@reachacademycharter.org

Mrs. Chiavaroli has been an educator for 8 years and holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Canisius College. She is dually certified in Birth-6th Grade General Education and Special Education. She is currently completing classes to obtain an additional Master's in Educational Leadership and Supervision with a School District Leader license. She is making the transition from Kindergarten Teacher at REACH to Instructional Coach for ELA where she will be assisting various grade levels with curriculum development, assessments and data collection.

Amy Damasiewicz

ELA/ Math Instructional Coach

E-mail: adamasiewicz@reachacademycharter.org

Ms. Damasiewicz brings over 10 years of experience in education to REACH Academy. Ms. Damasiewicz holds both a B.S. and M.S.Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo. She is professionally certified in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Literacy. Ms. Damasiewicz will be supporting classroom teachers in various grade levels with curriculum development, assessments, and data analysis.

Lee Pierce

Interim Dean of Students - DASA Liaison

Family Service Coordinator

E-mail: lpierce@reachacademycharter.org

Mr. Pierce has been in public education for 18 years. Mr. Pierce's experience includes a grade 5 city school teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal at the Middle School level, 11 years as an Elementary School Principal, and an Adjunct Professor at the College level. He holds a Master’s of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in School District Administration.

His educational beliefs state that:

The building of relationships is the key to overall school success. In order to build strong and lasting relationships all parties must be held to the same, high standard of academic and behavioral expectations. Students/Children have the ability to be anything they choose to be if they are respectful and responsible citizens. School expectations should be no different than that of home expectations.

Pamela Sharp

Math Instructional Coach

E-mail: psharp@reachacademycharter.org

Ms. Sharp brings over 15 years of experience in education to REACH Academy CS. Ms. Sharp holds a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics and a M.S in Education from SUNY College at Buffalo. Ms. Sharp will serve as an Instructional Coach for Mathematics where she will be assisting various grade levels with curriculum development, assessments and data collection.