Sarah Haskins teaches Biology as well as Physics. Haskins went to The Ohio State for undergrad and then Baldwin Wallace. She “student taught at Upper Arlington for one year, and this is [her] first actual teaching job.”

Haskins always liked science and by teaching it she never stopped learning it and spread the importance and fascination of science for students. Haskins grew up in the Plain City area and appreciated the pride and professionalism of Alder, which is why she decided to teach here. 

“I don’t know that I can fill Doc’s shoes,” she says, “but I will try to contribute to the positive environment he left. I hope to have at least half of Doc’s wisdom someday.” 

Haskins thinks Jonathan Alder can be better by continuing to grow the array of programs we offer. She is the new advisor for quiz bowl, quick recall, and student council.

Nicole Linehan lives in Delaware with her husband and her son. She started working here at Alder because her brother, Mr. Snedeker, said she would be a good paraprofessional here so she decided to apply.

Before she took on that job however, she was working in the medical field for 10 years, working in women’s health. “I kind of wanted to get out of the field,” she says, “and I was talking to my brother, and he was like…Jonathan Alder’s a great school…” so she went and applied and got hired here at JA. 

“ It’s very chill.mEverybody is so nice and so welcoming. It’s great. Students are great.” she says  “The teachers are great. I mean, I haven’t really dealt with much of the community, just because I don’t live here as much, but everybody is just so welcoming and nice.” 

Yenixfer Perez is the new district bilingual specialist. She was born in Mexico, and moved to the United States when she was ten years old. She has been interpreting for around 10 years, though this is her first year at Alder.

Perez is our first bilingual specialist at Alder. “This is what I got hired for,” says Perez, “…being an interpreter and engaging with all of the [non-English speaking] families.”

In this new role, Perez will serve not just the high school, but all families in the district. In her letter to families at the beginning of the year, Perez wrote, “My role is designed to bridge any communication gaps and ensure that every family has access to the resources, information, and support they need.”

Her inspiration for going down this path was because “you get to be with families in their happiest moments and their saddest moments and it’s a way of helping.”

Perez is happily married with two children, and another one on the way. She has a passion for her work, and is very excited to continue working for Alder. As Perez says, “all I can say is that this district is one of the best districts that I have ever seen.”

James Raterman is the district’s new District Safety & Security Detail Coordinator. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio but has lived in Washington D.C., Georgia, and Michigan. Raterman is a retired federal agent; he worked for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for most of his career.

Before he came to Alder, he ran an consultant company. He came to Alder to help schools with the best practices regarding safety and security. “I’m here to help the students, I’m available to them anytime they want to talk to me,” he says. “That’s what it’s all about, the school revolves around the students.”

Raterman replaces the school resource officer that was in place last year. “The safety and security of our entire staff and student body is my highest priority,” stated Dr. James Miller, Jonathan Alder School District Superintendent in an email to the district after Raterman was hired. “Mr. Raterman adds an additional layer to all of our safety measures and protocols, bringing experience and background knowledge as an extension to the district’s administrative team.”

Randy Spain is a new instructional aide at the high school, working primarily with the science classes.  Spain is also the new head girls soccer coach, which is what first brought him to Alder. 

Spain hasn’t always coached and taught, though. 

“I went to Ohio Christian University, graduated with a Bachelor’s of religion with an emphasis in leadership and ministry,” he says.

His path from college to education wasn’t direct, as his next step was construction. 

“I was a roofing contractor for several years, many years,” he says. “Had my own business, and due to an injury, I had a change of profession.”

At his stop before Alder, he worked at Marysville High School for 20 years. At Alder, his goal is to help his students and student athletes be as successful as possible. 

“We work on more than just soccer things,” he says. “We work on life skills, things like that, things that are going to make them successful outside of Jonathan Alder schools.” 

Monica Taglione teaches honors geometry and algebra 2. 

She grew up in Delaware, Ohio playing basketball and soccer. Taglione says, “I am very family oriented, I enjoy board games, and cards.” 

Before teaching at Alder, Taglione was a substitute teacher, This is her first full year teaching job. “I like teaching here so far, It’s been really great, really fun.” she says. “All of the students are really kind and hard working, so it’s been a good time.” 

Sydney Bauerle is in the ninth grade and has Taglione for honors geometry. “She actually makes sure I understand the material before moving on,” Bauerle says. “She’s one of my favorite teachers.”