Our Mission

Franklinton High School will prepare graduates to be successful in their careers and will help them mature into capable adults who can make good decisions for themselves.

ABOUT US

PREPARATION FOR LIFE

“all students, regardless of differences, can learn at high levels and graduate from high school”

As we designed our school, substantial research confirmed that students like Franklinton students will thrive into their futures if they have strong relationships with friends, with teachers and school personnel, with mentors and academic advisors, and with those from the community who will be working with FHS students. Positive relationships are the glue that keeps students in school, showing up every day to focus on their learning, earning their high school diploma, and heading toward a successful career and life.

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Meet our Staff

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Marty Griffith

Founder

Marty Griffith earned degrees from Kent State University and the Ohio State University College of Law. As an attorney, Marty worked with young men and women involved in the criminal and civil court systems of Franklin County and helped people launch businesses. In 2000, Marty returned to OSU, acquired a teaching license and embraced the fledgling charter school movement in Columbus. Since then, Marty served on the founding faculty of the Graham School, the A+ Arts Academy and launched a development and advancement department at the Arts & College Preparatory Academy before opening Franklinton High School.

Marty loves everything about FHS but mostly the kids who attend it. Marty serves on several local Boards, consults on school development, leadership and fundraising, loves to ski and lives in Bexley with his wife Jennifer and their two high school aged children.

Email Mr. Griffith

Franklinton High School

Jennifer Griffith

Principal

Jennifer Griffith serves as Principal at Franklinton High School. “LadyJ”, as she is affectionately known, has been with FHS for the past 3 years. She spent 16 years as a K-8 Music Specialist with Columbus City Schools and, prior to that, 8 years as the Vocal Music Director for Grandview Heights High School and Middle School. LadyJ attended Kent State University and received her Bachelor of Music Education cum laude. She earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Muskingum University.

LadyJ is passionate about working with young people and teachers to help them become their best selves. She enjoys reading, playing piano, travel, and being with her family.

Email Mrs. Griffith.

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Anne Hyland, PhD

Superintendent; Compliance Officer

Dr. Anne Hyland is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo with majors in Curriculum, Instructional Supervision, and Testing and Measurement. She is also a School Improvement Specialist certified by North Central Association – Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Dr. Hyland believes that FHS is a rare opportunity for students to attend a small high school, where everyone knows your name, and cares about you. At FHS the teachers focus on the learning needed to earn an Ohio high school diploma, and do so while also helping students learn to make good decisions for themselves, help students find their own learning strengths and use those strengths in productive ways into their own futures. She is very pleased to be part of this student learning experience.

Email Dr. Hyland.

Franklinton High School

Noah Campagna

Intervention Specialist Teacher

Prior to becoming a Special Education Teacher, Mr. Campagna attended Ohio State where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. Mr. Campagna is looking forward to bringing all his past knowledge to Franklinton High School.

Mr. C is entering his 7th year in special education and looks forward to being a part of this wonderful community.

Email Mr. Campagna

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Jason Craig

Social Studies Teacher
Jason Craig's undergraduate work focused on Philosophy, Political Science, and Islamic Studies. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Otterbein University. Jason has a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Georgia State University and a Master of Arts in Reading from Montclair State University. At the University of Virginia, he studied and taught Philosophy and Composition.
 
Jason has extensive teaching experience at multiple levels of education. He has taught Bioethics and Ethics for CTY Johns Hopkins at Lafayette, Haverford, and Carlisle colleges in Pennsylvania, assisted in a self-contained special education classroom in Oklahoma City, taught high school Social Studies in Newark, New Jersey, and middle school History and English Language Arts at a private middle school in Montclair, New Jersey.
 
"I am excited to work with Franklinton High School's students!"
 
Franklinton High School

Josh Davis

Math Teacher
Mr. Davis is a 6th year Mathematics teacher at Franklinton High School.
 
"At FHS I get to interact with kids on a personal level and (I hope) get to make a positive impact on their life.
What I like about FHS students is their unique personalities and their ability to teach me as much about myself as I am able to teach them."
 
Outside of teaching, Mr. Davis enjoys a variety of hobbies, such as golf, playing guitar, skateboarding, playing cards, chess, and spending time with his dog, Olive!
 
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Madison Gray

Social Worker

Madison Gray received her Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University and studied psychology, criminal justice, and dance throughout her bachelors program. She joins FHS after working for Nationwide Children's Hospital as a School Based Therapist.

Madison is trained to facilitate DBT STEPS-A, a school-based curriculum focused on coping strategies and decision-making skills, and ROX (Ruling Our Experiences), a group program aimed at empowering young girls in their relationships, decisions, and futures.

"I am passionate about providing a safe and supportive place for FHS students to explore their interests, nurture their mental health and well-being, and thrive in their personal and academic lives."

Outside of social work, Madison teaches dance classes in various art forms at Dublin Dance Centre and Gymnastics. She spends her free time baking, exploring Columbus parks, and seeing friends and family.

Email Ms. Gray.

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Samantha Moody

English Language Arts Teacher

Bio coming soon!

Email Ms. Moody.

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Sammi Morelock

Front Desk Administrator
 
Sammi Morelock, known as "Ms. Sammi" has worked with students from preschool to high school! Aside from working with students, Sammi has a background in Cosmetology and has been a licensed hairstylist for 5 years. She is currently at Franklin University working towards a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and plans on staying in education to use this degree. Sammi has a passion for building warm relationships with students and families and is happy to help in whatever ways she can. Come by and say hi anytime!

In her free time, Sammi enjoys being outdoors, boxing, exploring new coffee spots and spending time with friends and family. 
 
Franklinton High School

Hugh Morris, PhD

STEM and Physics Teacher; Director of Arts & Movement Program
Dr. Hugh J. Morris obtained a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University College Cork in Ireland, an Master of Science in Radiation Physics from University College London and a Ph.D. in Therapeutic Ultrasound from the Institute of Cancer Research, a top tier research facility in Europe. While working as a postdoctoral scholar at The Ohio State University, he has led teams of Ph.D.s in fund raising efforts, advocacy challenges and initiatives to improve the integration of international postdoctoral scholars into the United States. He is highly trained in the scientific method and has strong technical, analytical and decision making skills.
 
But, Dr. Morris’s passion lies in instruction and in facilitating learning, so he is delighted to join the faculty at Franklinton High School. With his scientific background, he hopes to inspire his students in the use of math in the real world.
 

 

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Sarah Ring

Social Worker
Ms. Sarah received both her Bachelor's and Masters in Social Work at Ohio State University, as well as a background in Human Development and Family Sciences from Bowling Green State University. She has a strong educational background in adolescent mental health and is certified in adolescent first-aid mental health. She also received her certification as a ROX (Ruling Our Experiences) facilitator which serves to promote healthy relationships and female empowerment among young girls. She shares a passion for all things wellness, prevention, and self-care.
 
This will be Ms. Sarah's first year here at FHS and she is extremely excited to meet and create a safe, supported, and inclusive environment for all students that walk through FHS doors. Ms. Sarah is from Westerville, OH and resides there with her family.
 
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Rachelle Smith

Director of Community Partnerships and Career Pathways

Rachelle Smith has worked in education for the past 15 years. She began her career teaching art to students in many different types of educational settings. Rachelle also started a nonprofit organization to provide greater access to arts enrichment opportunities for children and families in the greater Columbus area. Rachelle has BFA, a Masters in Art Education, and recently completed her Doctorate in Education and Organizational Leadership.

Rachelle is passionate about promoting equity in public education and looks forward to helping students discover their own passions in life through career exploration.

Rachelle enjoys yoga, baking and ceramics and lives with her husband, two sons and a rescue Shetland sheepdog in Columbus, OH.

Email Ms. Smith.

Franklinton High School

Kathleen Watson

Science Teacher
Miss Watson graduated from Capital University with a Bachelor of Arts in Life Science Education and a minor in Biology. She then completed continuing education courses at the University of Findlay to earn her Integrated Science Licensure.
 
"Being a scientist is a human's natural state and I can't wait to guide each student to discover the science that ignites their soul!"
 
Outside of the science classroom, Miss Watson can be found caring for and nurturing her plants, hanging out with her two cats and gecko, or researching more information about plants, cats, and geckos.
 
Franklinton High School

Samantha Witty

English Language Arts Teacher
Mrs. Witty grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Adolescent/Young Adult Integrated Language Arts Education from Bowling Green State University. At BGSU, Mrs. Witty played piccolo in the Falcon Marching Band - and met her husband!
 
After graduating from BGSU, Mrs. Witty spent six years teaching high school in Austin, Texas. While in Texas, she completed a two-year training with the Heart of Texas Writing Workshop and earned a certificate in English as  a Second Language, both of which still heavily influence her teaching style.
 
Her husband, their two cats, and herself missed Ohio, though, so they were thrilled when they had the opportunity to move back.
 
"I am incredibly excited to teach at a school like FHS that supports both teachers and students and encourages them to try new things!"
 
Her hope is to instill in her students a love for reading and writing by showing them what real readers and writers do. 
 
Mrs. and Mr. Witty spend their free-time biking, trying out new foods, and spending time with family.
 

Arts and Movement Instructors

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Ben Ahlteen

Music Instructor

Benjamin Ahlteen is FHS's Music Instructor, coming to us with a rich background in music & the arts. Having experienced the nurturing of his own creativity throughout his upbringing, Mr. Ahlteen is driven to pass on the same encouragement and share the knowledge he has acquired with others. Born in Michigan and raised in Ohio, he has been performing in Columbus since his high school years in 2005. He remains an active participant in the local music scene - he is a member of several independent local bands, and records and produces music for both himself, others, and short films.

In addition to music, Mr. Ahlteen also engages in lighting design work and event organization. A few examples of his collaborations can be seen around town at venues like Otherworld, The Gravity Project, and Midway Bar. He began teaching private lessons in 2020, and teaching has since become his most recent passion.

"I consider myself blessed to be surrounded by brilliant minds who are eager to expand their knowledge further."

Email Mr. Ahlteen.

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Arris Cohen

Art Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Email Mr. Cohen.

Franklinton High School

John Croke

Cooking Instructor

John Croke is the Artistic Director of The Caravan, an educational company that teaches cooking and nutrition classes. His roots in the Southwest and Deep South have informed his unique cooking perspective and John’s dishes have won several competitions at The North Market, 1400 Foodlab, and at countless pop-up Chef Battles hosted by his company around Ohio. With a BFA from The University of Southern Mississippi and 2 decades of kitchen and classroom experience, John teaches regular cooking classes at Franklinton High School, Madison Health, Gladden Community House, the Westerville Community Center and at libraries all over Ohio. For more information, visit wearethecaravan.com.

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Johnny Hunter

Art Instructor

Johnny Hunter is one of FHS's talented art teachers. With a lifelong dedication to practicing and instructing art, Mr. Hunter finds tremendous fulfillment in nurturing his students' creativity. Originally from Southern California, he has been residing in Ohio since 2018, focusing his efforts on imparting skills in art, comics, and graphic design to students throughout Columbus.

Apart from his role as an educator, Mr. Hunter is also a local artist and comic creator. He uses his connections to encourage students to collaborate with other talented artists in the area, fostering a sense of community and teamwork. Johnny organized a mural project with FHS students, sponsored by a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council. 

"My foremost objective is to instill an appreciation for the arts and foster a love for learning in your children. It is an honor to be entrusted with this journey, and I am humbled by the opportunity to work with these students."

Email Mr. Hunter.

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Myles Lawson

Dance Instructor

Myles Lawson began choreographing within the city of Columbus at the age of 16. In the past as an Irish dance competitor, Myles placed top three at the Mid-America Regionals, top 10 at the North American Irish Dance Championships, and 17th at the World Championships. Some of his favorite roles/tours: lead role of The Priest in ‘Romeo & Juliet’ touring China; choreographer and lead role of Aidan in ‘A Celtic Christmas Story’, debut in NYC; dance captain and lead role of The Prince in Rhythm In The Night, touring North America. Most recently, Myles has been honored with nominations through BroadwayWorld in the category of Best Choreography in a regional musical or play for his work with A Christmas Story.

Myles is always ecstatic at the opportunity to continue to build a foundation of dance through his teachings and choreography with his various students, and connecting with new people and studios within the arts.

“I am thrilled to be leading an education in dance with the students at Franklinton High School, and hopefully giving back a similar piece of passion, creativity and inspiration that I so lovingly got to experience as a part of my high school experience.”

Email Mr. Lawson.

Franklinton High School

Kate Morris

Jewelry Making Instructor

Kate has a degree in Jewelry Design and a Masters in Fine and Decorative Arts. She worked for many years in the Jewelry Department at Sotheby’s in London before turning her focus to textiles. In 2013 she founded The Lesser Bear, a socially conscious textile company, using natural dyes to create silk ribbon and table linens for weddings and special events. Recently she has been making pigments, dyes and watercolor paints out of plants, rocks, and minerals.

This is Kate's 4th year teaching a FHS and she has been amazed by the students' creativity and willingness to learn new skills.

Email Mrs. Morris.

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Cody Wood

Martial Arts Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Email Mr. Wood.

Related Services Staff

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Sarah Báez

School Psychologist

Sarah Báez, Ed.M., M.A., NCSP is a nationally certified school psychologist with eleven years of experience conducting comprehensive psycho-educational assessments, providing behavior and mental health counseling services, and developing individualized learner success plans for students and school teams from early childhood through post-secondary levels. 

Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College in California focusing her studies on Psychology. She attended Columbia University’s Graduate School of Education, Teachers College in New York. From Teachers College, Sarah earned her Master of Education in School Psychology and her Master of Arts in Educational Psychology.

Sarah has her graduate certificate in Educational Leadership, which she earned from the University of Alaska – Anchorage. She worked in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School district for the first eight years of her career, and transitioned to work as an independent contractor during the 2020-21 school year and has worked for the past three years remotely with several different school districts. 

Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, dog and cat. Sarah enjoys swimming, cooking, crafting, and traveling.

"I consider myself blessed to be surrounded by brilliant minds who are eager to expand their knowledge further."

Email Sarah Báez.

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Justine Jones

Occupational Therapist

Justine Jones is in her third year returning to work with Franklinton High School! She has been an OT for 15 years, and has worked for eLuma Online Therapy for the past 9 years. Work experience includes K-12 schools (through the eLuma virtual platform), inpatient/outpatient pediatrics and early intervention.  She enjoys learning and adapting strategies to help students build their skills in: handwriting, typing, visual motor coordination, gross motor coordination, sensory strategies for self regulation, and collaboration as part of the team with students, teachers and families.

Email Justine Jones.

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Alexandra Techentin

Speech Therapist

Bio coming soon!

GOVERNING BOARD

Christiana Moffa

BOARD PRESIDENT

Email Ms. Moffa

Catrina Blackwell

SECRETARY

Email Ms. Blackwell

Tamara Zimmerman

MEMBER

Email Ms. Zimmerman

Stephen Swift

VICE-PRESIDENT

Email Mr. Swift

Todd Johnson

TREASURER

Email Mr. Johnson

Robert Bickis Jr.

MEMBER

Email Mr. Bickis

CONTACT

Email: morelock@franklintonhigh.org

Address: 89 Avondale Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43222

Phone: 614.427.1012

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