Our Mission
Franklinton High School will prepare graduates to be successful in a variety of fields.
ABOUT US
“all students, irrespective 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.
Meet our Staff
Marty Griffith
Founder and Principal
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 where he serves as its principal and superintendent.
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, a Columbus City School’s Vocal Music Teacher and their two high school aged children.
Lisa Bradley
Social Studies
My name is Lisa Bradley and I teach social studies at FHS. I have always had a passion for history and how its connections to today can help guide us into the future. I want, above all, to instill in my students a curiosity for the world around them and the desire to be engaged citizens. I obtained my B.A. from The Ohio State University in International Studies and Diplomacy and my teaching license from Otterbein University. I grew up in Central Ohio, leaving only for a short time to study abroad in London, England. I feel very lucky to have been welcomed into the FHS community. I love the small school atmosphere and the connections that I have already made to my students and fellow staff. When I'm not at school, I spend my time with my husband and two kids. We love to travel and see new places as often as we can!
Brady Calestro
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND ETHICS & MORALITY TEACHER
Brady Calestro teaches English Language Arts and co-teaches Ethics & Morality with Roni Edwards. He received his BSc. from the London School of Economics (UK) and his M.Ed. from Antioch University. Prior to this, he founded Mondokio International News—a website that allowed high school students to consider multiple perspectives on the same news topic. He is also FHS’s boxing coach.
Email Mr. Calestro
Jennifer Chen
EMIS Coordinator
Jennifer Chen is multilingual, multicultural, and multifunctional. Aside from streamlining the FHS student database, one can find her hiking in the woods, biking on the trails, or playing volleyball. As the days get shorter, she is often on the couch wrapped in layers of blankets with a hot cup of tea and a good book.
Josh Davis
Math Teacher
Anne Hyland, PhD
Teacher Leader
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.
Fritz Juskalian
Academic Work Force Liaison
Mr. “J” comes to Franklinton High School with a background in business and coaching/mentoring individuals. He has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Franklin University, and sales and business consulting experience overseas and abroad. His goal is to work with the community of Franklinton to place FHS students in job shadowing, internships and finally meaningful wage jobs. If you know of an opportunity don’t hesitate to call!
Joana Ross
Science Teacher
Joana Ross has a BS in Animal Science from Ohio State (go buckeyes!) and an MEd from John Carroll. She is happy to be back home in Ohio after teaching 8th grade in Colorado and high school in Oklahoma while her husband served in the Army. She is looking forward to joining the learning community at FHS, getting to know the students, and teaching two of her most favorite subjects, biology and anatomy.
Chelsea Arnold
School Social Worker
Chelsea is the counselor at FHS. She went to Ohio University where she studied Psychology and Diversity Studies and then attended Kent State University for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has worked in a crisis setting, college campus, with the juvenile courts, and adoptions.
Chelsea is here to help students reach their full potential. She is trained to identify and remediate stressors in functioning, resolve conflicts in relationships, and provide support for the student in the school, home, and community setting.
Sam McCoy
Director of Development and Music Teacher
Sam McCoy has a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from The Ohio
State University as well as a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from William Paterson University. He earned the Graduate Scholar Award in 2006, and has had private studies with Bill Goodwin, Matt Wilson, Joe Ong and Jane Varella.
Sam has been teaching and performing for over 20 years. He has performed with various jazz artists in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and Ohio. While at William Paterson, he worked closely with jazz greats: Mulgrew Miller, Don Braden, Harold Mabern and many others. He was a house drummer for Premier Cruise Lines in 1999-2000. He has taught everything from marching drum lines to Jazz History. He teaches the World Percussion Ensemble at Franklinton High School and the Ohio Avenue Steel Band for Directions for Youth and Families. He has worked with many schools around Ohio as percussion instructor.
LeRoyna Edwards
Intervention Specialist
Roni Edwards, M.Ed., a holistic health educator, master joyologist certified Hatha yoga & tai qi instructor, community mother, nonprofit leader and lifelong practitioner of healthy living will teach students on the basic needs to prevent obesity and disease; manage stress and promote wellbeing. Roni has a BS in Environmental Education from OSU and a masters from Ashford University in Culturally Responsive Education. She is also certified in Kemetic Yoga and Therapeutic Yoga, Phlebotomy and Raw Food preparation.
Hugh Morris, PhD
Math and Science Teacher, Robotics Coach and Lead Mentor
Christopher Pennington
Office Coordinator
Chris Pennington is FHS’s Office Coordinator. Chris answers all FHS phone questions and keeps the front desk running smoothly. During his years at FHS he was a student office worker for 3 years proving his interest and ability to work with the school staff, students, and parents. Chris plays electric bass, continues his three years of experience playing with the FHS steel pan band, and cheers on the Miami Dolphins. Chris has participated in Youth in Government for 6 years, he has spent 3 years as a delegate and will be teaching Youth in government this year for the 3rd year in a Row.
Ed Chatman
CTE Teacher
Jordan Honeywood
Blended Learning Coordinator
Jordan Honeywood is the Blended Learning Coordinator here at FHS. Jordan holds a Bachelor’s in Crime and Justice Studies, with a minor in Psychology, as well as a Master’s in Public Administration, specializing in Non-Profit Leadership. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Education (Ed. D). She has worked in the juvenile drug court, inner-city schools, foster care, supervised visitation, job & family services and recovery.
Jordan’s passion includes serving others and helping to be the bridge from trauma to triumph. She is here to assist students in completing high school through blended learning.
Tenishia Benson
21st Century Leader/Athletics Director
Megan Klang
College and Career Coordinator; Next Step Initiative Leader
My name is Megan Klang and I am excited to join the FHS team this year! I am serving as our college and career coordinator, helping students identify what they want to do once they graduate. I also work with our 21c after school program. I recently graduated from OSU with my masters in social work and am passionate about helping students embrace their full potential. My favorite part about FHS is the family like environment. When I’m not working, I like to explore Columbus, travel and go to concerts.
Arts and Movement Teachers
Eric Rollin
Song Writing and Men's Club Teacher
My name is Eric Rollin and I am a self-employed professional musician from Columbus, Ohio.
I provide a comfortable, safe environment for the youth to express themselves through the art of poetry and music.
I have 10 years plus experience writing, recording, and performing original compositions nationwide, and have written music for entities such as American Eagle, Express, Ohio Environmental Council, and more. Certified Audio Engineer. I attended REC Workshop '06.
I am also the Owner/Co-founder and Operator of Mistar Anderson LLC, Chicken and Beer Festival LLC, & Homegrown Universe LLC
Joseph Bishara
Theater Instructor
Joe Bishara has worked on over 200 theatrical productions at regional theatres across the United States as an award-winning Actor, Artist Educator, Director, and Producer. He is the Associate Producing Director for CATCO and CATCO is Kids, coordinator for the Greater Columbus Arts Council playwriting fellowship program and a frequent guest instructor/lecturer/clinician at educational institutes across Ohio. Joe is a proud graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, a member of AEA and an associate member of SDC. www.joe-bishara.com
Kate Morris
Jewelry Teacher and Website Admin
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.
This is Kate's 4th year teaching a FHS and she has been amazed by the students' creativity and willingness to learn new skills.
LeRoyna Edwards
Health Instructor
Roni Edwards, M.Ed., a holistic health educator, master joyologist certified Hatha yoga & tai qi instructor, community mother, nonprofit leader and lifelong practitioner of healthy living will teach students on the basic needs to prevent obesity and disease; manage stress and promote wellbeing. Roni has a BS in Environmental Education from OSU and a masters from Ashford University in Culturally Responsive Education. She is also certified in Kemetic Yoga and Therapeutic Yoga, Phlebotomy and Raw Food preparation.
Tenishia Benson
Basketball Coach
Lorii A. Wallace
Dance Teacher
Lorii is a Dancer, choreographer, writer, interior and set designer who hails from Toledo, Ohio. Born into a musical family, she began playing the viola and piano at a young age. She began dancing with her sisters with African dance troupe Imuzi Ikaya, and then continued her study with Toledo Ballet, Toledo Performing Arts Company and more.
After studying Dance Therapy at the University of Toledo, and training with the late Geraldine Blunden of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, she moved and danced with The Seattle/Tacoma Performing Arts Company, where she did off Broadway productions,and created her first performing arts company.
Her love for all the arts inspired her to create Tapestry Performing Arts Company right here in Columbus. Some of her credits include writing over 20 original productions and has had the honor of directing and choreographing numerous productions across the country including The Wiz and Black Nativity. Lorii most recently choreographed the CATCO productions of the Broadway Musical “EUBIE “ and “My Way”. During the last 10 years, Lorii has successfully worked with over 100 Ohio churches, schools, companies, and organizations creating numerous community-wide workshops and arts programs. Lorii was presented with acknowledgements from Columbus City Council, State Senators Office and Congress for her community arts productions to raise awareness for human trafficking and other subjects that affect our community.
She is the Artisti/Creative Director of Tapestry Performing Arts Company. She serves on several community boards and committees including, the Advisory Board of Ft. Hayes, BalletMet Columbus Educational Committee, Hope and Liberation Committee and is the Co Chair of The Demand Reduction Committee for human trafficking for CORCC at the Salvation Army, while operating her own interior decorating business (Set The Atmosphere Interior Decorating & Decor).
John Croke
Cooking Teacher
John Croke is the Artistic Director of The Caravan, and educational company that teaches cooking and nutrition classes. With a decade of kitchen experience and a decade of classroom experience, John now teaches regular cooking classes at Franklinton High School, Madison Health, Gladden Community House, and libraries all over Ohio. For more information, visit wearethecaravan.com
Journey Chatfield/Quaeyla Wallace
Yoga and Fitness Instructor
GOVERNING BOARD
Christiana Moffa
BOARD PRESIDENT
Jake Kuttothara
VICE-PRESIDENT
Stephen Swift
SECRETARY
Michael Hudoba
MEMBER
Tyler Overton
MEMBER
Patrick Reidy
MEMBER
CONTACT
Email: info@franklintonprep.org
Address: 880 South Wayne Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43204
Phone: 614.636.3721