Who We Are
Administration & StaffTeachers are provided through a contract with the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA), and are certified in their area of instruction. Teachers have regular office hours when students can contact them for additional help and teachers interact with students on a regular basis via e-mail, phone, and on-line through the VLA system.
Rosemary Rooker, Superintendent
rrooker@findlaycityschools.org
Rosemary Rooker began working with Findlay City Schools in 1990. Her career in education has included being a Special Education Teacher, Work Study Coordinator, Special Education Supervisor, Principal at Northview Primary School and Jacobs Primary School, and Assistant Principal at Glenwood Middle School. Mrs. Rooker earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education at West Virginia University, and her Masters Degree at Bowling Green State University. She received her Principal Certification from Ashland University and Superintendent Certificate from the University of Findlay. Mrs. Rooker lives in Findlay with her husband Ron. They have five grown children and enjoy traveling and spending time with their family.
Michael Brand, Principal
Michael Brand graduated from Bowling Green State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education degrees. Mr. Brand started his teaching career as an English teacher at McComb School and then at Elmwood School. While at Elmwood, he served as Assistant Principal/Athletic Director. Mr. Brand then became the Principal of Van Buren High School, where he remained as an administrator for 28 years. He loves spending time with his family (which includes his wife, three grown children and five grandchildren), doing wood working projects and playing golf, tennis, skiing, surfing and running.
Instructional Coaches and FDA Staff Members
Brenda Boster
Instructional Coach
bboster@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Mrs. Boster graduated from Marshall University in West Virginia. She has taught for more than 40 years in both West Virginia and with Findlay City Schools.
Mrs. Boster is married, has two sons and two grandsons. She enjoys spending time with her grandsons and traveling to the shore.
Mary Burget
Intervention Specialist
mburget@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Mary Burget joined FDA in 2023, after retiring from Findlay City Schools. She previously served as an English and Social Studies teacher at Findlay Learning Center, and as a guidance counselor at Findlay High School.
She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from BGSU, and completed clinical counseling coursework at Heidelberg University. She also is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Mary is married, and has 3 grown children.
In her free time, she loves bike riding, stand up paddle boarding, reading, traveling, and creating fused glass pieces.
Michele Cassidy
Administrative Assistant
mcassidy@findlaydigitalacademy
Shelly Cassidy joined FDA in September 2019 after retiring from Bowling Green City Schools with 30+ years of service. Shelly is married with two daughters. Shelly enjoys reading and especially spending time with her family and friends.
Linda Dangelo
Intervention Specialist
ldangelo@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Linda joined FDA in the fall of 2023 as an Intervention Specialist. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from St. Scholastica College in Duluth, MN and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Kean University of Union, New Jersey. Before coming to FDA, Linda was an Intervention Specialist for Findlay City Schools, working with students with learning disabilities at the high school for 16 years and most recently worked at Findlay City Schools Trojan Academy for the past two years.
Linda Darnall
Instructional Coach
ldarnall@findlaydigitalacademy.com
36 years Science Education (7-12, Life, Earth, Biology,Physical, Anatomy, Chemistry, Physics)
11 Years Chemistry Instructor University of Findlay
25+ years Marine Biology Instructor and Field Experience Leader
I live on a century farm with my husband and enjoy making maple syrup, gardening, traveling and playing my dulcimer.
Nick Donaldson
Technology Coordinator
ndonaldson@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Nick started working for Findlay Digital Academy in 2019.
He was employed at Eastwood Local Schools for 10 years serving as a Computer Tech for the district. In his free time, he coaches 7th grade basketball at Eastwood and loves all things technology related.
Barbara Ebersole
Data Coordinator
bebersole@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Mrs. Ebersole graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from Marygrove College with a Masters in the Art of Teaching degree. She taught high school English, French, and vocal music for 35 years.
She retired in 2005, but mentored other teachers working on their master’s degrees at Marygrove. She joined the FDA staff as a data coordinator in 2010.
Lori Faeth
Special Education Coordinator/Instructional Coach
lfaeth@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Lori Faeth joined FDA in 2014-15 after retiring from Findlay City Schools. Lori’s experience includes serving as an intervention specialist at both the high school and elementary levels, and teaching second and fifth grade teacher, and remedial reading.
She is married and has two grown daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.
Mary Beth Faeth
Administrative Assistant
mfaeth@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Betsy Faeth joined FDA in 2018. Mrs. Faeth retired from ProMedica Health System after 30+ years in patient care and healthcare administration. She holds a registered nursing degree from the University of Toledo, a Bachelors in Business Administration degree and Masters of Education degree from the University of Findlay. A lifelong resident of Ohio, she is married and has four grown children. Betsy enjoys refinishing and upholstering furniture, gardening, cooking and spending time at the lake with her family.
Wendy Farrow
Testing/Curriculum Coach
wfarrow@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Wendy began working for Findlay Digital Academy during the 2011-2012 school year as an instructional coach. She graduated from Georgia Southwestern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She and her husband have three children. Wendy enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Rob Fox
Student/Parent Liaison
rfox@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Mr. Fox has been a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the Findlay City Schools for most of his career. His degrees are a B.A. from Kent State University, M.Ed. from Bowling Green State University, and coursework from Florida State University and Drake University.
Cindy Frantz
Truancy Coach
cfrantz@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Cindy Frantz started working for the FDA in 2018. She worked for 20 years as a probation officer for the Hancock County Juvenile Court. Prior to that, she worked at the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Residential Center of Northwest Ohio in Bowling Green, and also as a case manager at the Family Resource Center. Cindy got her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Bowling Green State University, and received her Master’s in Social Work from the Ohio State University. She is also a Licensed Independent Social Worker.
Maribeth Geaman
Intervention Teacher
mgeaman@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Maribeth joins FDA after spending 27 years at Findlay High School where she taught English. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s degree in Education from the University of Findlay and her Teacher Leader certification from Ashland University. In addition to teaching, Maribeth enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband have two children and one grandchild. She is also active in her community by serving on the board of NAMI Hancock County.
Erin Gonder
Intervention Specialist
egonder@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Erin joined FDA in the fall of 2020. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Ohio Northern and her Master’s Degree from the University of Findlay. Before coming to FDA, Erin was an intervention specialist for Findlay City Schools, working with students with learning disabilities as well as students with multiple disabilities. She and her husband, Dan, have five children. She enjoys spending time supporting (and chauffeuring) her children in their various activities, and loves to read when she has a spare minute.
Ellen Keck
Intervention Specialist
ekeck@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Ellen Keck joined FDA as an Intervention Specialist after working in Special Education for 12 years. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1989 and began her teaching career teaching second grade and then fourth grade in Mishawaka, Indiana. She began working in the Special Education field in 2011, specializing in reading intervention and going on to earn her Intervention Specialist license. She is happily married and enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling with her husband, and spending time with their four grown children and one grandchild.
David Lantosh
Resource Coach
dlantosh@findlaydigitalacademy.com
David joined FDA in 2023. He is an Army Veteran, married to a beautiful Nurse Practitioner, halfway through his GI Bill education benefits and is excited to be getting back into the workforce. He interned with CPSU through Job and Family Services working with
kids all over the state of Ohio. He is here because he wants to help this community and make a difference in the lives of youth and their families. His long term goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker (LSCW). He is so glad to be at FDA, and to be able to learn and grow as a professional.
Dorothy LaFontaine
Instructional Coach
dlafontaine@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Dorothy LaFontaine joined FDA in 2019. She previously taught in Fostoria for 13 years serving as a special education teacher and a Title I reading and math teacher. Mrs. LaFontaine earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education and a Masters Degree in Special Education at Bowling Green State University. She and her husband Rich of have 3 sons and one daughter. Dorothy enjoys flower gardening, reading, volunteering and especially spending time with family and friends.
Ellen Laube
Instructional Coach
elaube@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Ellen Laube joined FDA in 2021 after retiring from Findlay City Schools teaching math for 35 years. Ellen has two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Barb Lockard
Administrative Assistant
blockard@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Barbara retired in 2019 from a career that included serving as marketing director for Blanchard Valley Health System, strategic communications coordinator for the University of Findlay and marketing coordinator for Mennonite Home Communities. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Tiffin University and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Findlay.
Barb has two grown children, three grandchildren and enjoys traveling, writing and reading.
Steve McAdoo
Instructional Coach
smcadoo@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Steve McAdoo joined FDA in October 2020, after retiring from Findlay City Schools.. He taught for 34 years with the majority in Career Based Education and finished his last five years working with students in History and American Government. Steve graduated from the University of Findlay with a BA in Comprehensive Social Studies and earned his Master degree from University of Toledo in Athletic Administration.
Fred Nanamaker
Instructional Coach
fnanamaker@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Mr. Nanamaker joined Findlay Digital Academy as an Instructional Coach following a 20 year career with Findlay City Schools where he taught science, math, reading, writing and social studies at a variety of grade levels. He graduated from the State University of New York in Albany with a B.A. in psychology. He earned his Masters of Education from the Ohio State University. Mr. Nanamaker lives in Findlay with his wife and has three children and two grandchildren scattered across the United States.When not working he enjoys coaching, running and working in his garden.
Deborah Rollins
Special Projects
drollins@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Deborah joined FDA after retiring from Findlay City Schools as an Assistant Principal. Prior, Deborah was Athletic Director/Teacher at Patrick Henry and a Teacher/Coach at Ridgedale. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Northern University, her Master’s from Mount St. Joseph’s College and her Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Toledo. Deborah led Patrick Henry to obtain the Ohio High School Athletic Association Harold A. Meyer Award for sportsmanship, ethics and integrity. Millstream Career and Technical Center recognized Deb for going the extra mile for student. Deborah enjoys attending music concerts, musicals and Cleveland sports team events along with exploring National Parks and working in the yard.
Mary Rood
Work Based Learning Coordinator
mrood@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Mary Rood joined Findlay Digital Academy in 2022 as the Work Based Learning Coordinator. Prior to that, she had worked as an elementary and intermediate classroom teacher for 20 years. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She lives in Findlay with her husband, Ken, and their three children. When not working, Mary enjoys attending her kid’s activities, camping, baking, and spending time at the lake with her family.
Sharon Snyder
Administrative Assistant
ssnyder@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Sharon Snyder joined FDA on a part-time basis in the fall of 2017. She previously worked as a secretary in the Guidance Office at Findlay High School for 22 years.
Ann Spuller
Instructional Coach
aspuller@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Ann Spuller retired from Cory-Rawson Schools as Elementary Principal in 2014. She began her career as a special education teacher in central Ohio. She later taught special education at Arlington Schools; then was Work Study Coordinator & Special Education Supervisor for Hancock County Schools. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The Ohio State University and her Principal Certification from Ashland University.
Mrs. Spuller enjoys gardening, reading, and traveling to visit family and friends.
David Vaas
Instructional Coach
dvaas@findlaydigitalacademy.com
David Vaas taught fifth and sixth grades for 33 years.
He grew up in Ashland Ohio. He is married to Sharon, and they have a son, Lucas, twin daughters, Anna and Sara, and four grandkids. Dave graduated with a BS in Elementary Education from The Ohio State University and later earned his Master’s from Ashland University. While at OSU, he was a member of The Ohio State Marching Band and still plays In his his trombone in concert and jazz bands, and orchestra pits for area musicals. He enjoys exercising and riding his bike.
Mark Willeke
22 Plus Program
mwilleke@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Mark earned his BA degree from Ohio Northern University and his Masters in Educational Administration from BGSU. Mark began his career in 1980 at Cory-Rawson High School, teaching business and social studies for 24 years. He later became high school principal.
After retiring in 2015, Mark accepted a position in the Graduate Admissions office at UF and then moved to his current position as the Licensure Officer for the College of Education. Mark and his wife Jane have three daughters; Emma, Hannah and Olivia.
Gary Wilson
Instructional Coach
gwilson@findlaydigitalacademy.com
Gary joined FDA in 2017 as an instructional coach, following a 40-year career at Marathon. During that time, he served in a variety of engineering, planning and environmental functions. Gary has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Michigan. Gary and his wife have four grown children. In his spare time enjoys photography, reading, travel and spending time with family.