As the 2026-27 school year approaches, North Royalton City Schools is welcoming a talented group of educators who will join classrooms and student support teams across the district.
The new staff members bring a mix of experience and fresh perspectives, including veteran educators, recent college graduates, long-term substitutes who are already familiar faces in North Royalton City Schools, and professionals returning to the district in new roles.
Several of the district's newest teachers have already built relationships with students through long-term substitute assignments at North Royalton Elementary School and North Royalton Middle School. Others arrive with years of experience from neighboring school districts, while several begin their careers after completing student teaching experiences throughout Northeast Ohio.
The group includes classroom teachers, intervention specialists, counselors, school psychologists, specialists in English, health and physical education, music and career exploration, as well as educators who will provide additional academic support through MTSS and Title I services.
Many of the new teachers also plan to become involved beyond the classroom by coaching athletics, advising clubs, mentoring students, supporting performing arts, and participating in extracurricular activities.
Among those joining North Royalton City Schools this year are:
Tiffany Vlahovic, MTSS/Title I Teacher, North Royalton Elementary School
Tiffany Vlahovic earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Baldwin Wallace University. During the past two years, she has served North Royalton Elementary School as a long-term substitute, working as both a small group instructor and MTSS/Title I teacher. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, boating and spending time with her family. She currently coaches cheerleading and hopes to become involved with student council and mentoring opportunities.
Madison O'Malley, English Teacher, North Royalton High School
Madison O'Malley recently graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She completed her student teaching at Midview Middle School and has served as a substitute teacher in the Midview, Brunswick and North Royalton school districts. She enjoys reading, taking walks, watching television and spending time with family and friends. She is interested in coaching softball and volleyball while also advising yearbook and reading or writing clubs.
Joseph Schlesinger, Health and Physical Education Teacher (Speed, Strength and Wellness), North Royalton High School
Joseph Schlesinger earned a Bachelor of Exercise Science from the University of Toledo and a master's degree in sports leadership from Duquesne University. He spent the past five years teaching the same course at Shaker Heights High School and previously worked as a strength coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also continues assisting at the Major League Baseball Combine. He enjoys cooking, weightlifting, and spending time with his children, and will serve as the high school's weight room advisor.
Maxwell Ross, English Teacher, North Royalton High School
Maxwell Ross earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from The Ohio State University with minors in English and Video Arts. He completed his student teaching at Canal Winchester High School and Johnson Park Middle School. Ross enjoys reading, making music, watching films, solving crossword puzzles, and performing magic. He hopes to become involved with theater, journalism, creative writing or golf.
Derek Baker, School Psychologist, North Royalton Middle School
Derek Baker earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Ashland University and his master's degree in school psychology from Miami University. He joins North Royalton after five years as a school psychologist at Wooster Middle School. Baker enjoys college football and spending time with his family and hopes to assist with student clubs and baseball.
Michelle Toth, School Counselor, North Royalton Elementary School
Michelle Toth earned her master's degree in school counseling from John Carroll University. She recently served as a long-term substitute counselor at North Royalton Elementary School after previously spending 10 years as a school counselor at North Royalton High School. She enjoys supporting her three sons at baseball and basketball events and plans to become involved with Girls on the Run.
Rachel Walentik, Intervention Specialist, North Royalton Elementary School
Rachel Walentik earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood and special education from Millersville University. She brings seven years of experience as an intervention specialist, including the past three years with Brunswick City Schools. She enjoys reading and camping with her husband and two huskies and hopes to support programs that strengthen peer relationships for students with special needs.
Sophia Wolf, Intervention Specialist, North Royalton Elementary School
Sophia Wolf earned her bachelor's degree in education from The Ohio State University. After completing her student teaching at North Royalton Elementary School, she spent the past year serving as a long-term substitute intervention specialist there. She enjoys traveling, golfing, spending time outdoors and being with family. She hopes to coach cheerleading or dance.
Evan Adams, Fifth Grade Teacher, North Royalton Middle School
Evan Adams earned his bachelor's degree in middle childhood education from Kent State University. He brings nine years of teaching experience from Buckeye Local Schools, where he taught at both the middle and high school levels. Adams enjoys spending time with family, friends and his dog and is interested in coaching football and track.
Kayla Sokolowski, Seventh Grade Teacher, North Royalton Middle School
Kayla Sokolowski earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from John Carroll University. She spent the past two years as a building substitute teacher in Brecksville-Broadview Heights. She enjoys golf, softball, sand volleyball and spending time with family and friends and looks forward to helping with clubs and coaching opportunities.
Allison Klingbeil, Small Group Instructor, North Royalton Middle School
Allison Klingbeil earned her bachelor's degree in integrated social studies from the University of Akron. She joins North Royalton after three years teaching government and social studies in the Wickliffe City School District. She enjoys movies, hiking and podcasts and hopes to become involved with volleyball and the Drama Club.
Paityn Gutkowski, Intervention Specialist, North Royalton Elementary School
Paityn Gutkowski earned her bachelor's degree in primary education from Ashland University. She completed the past school year as a long-term substitute intervention specialist at North Royalton Elementary School. Gutkowski enjoys coaching cheerleading, traveling and spending time with her dog. She plans to continue coaching cheer.
Jordan Smith, Intervention Specialist, North Royalton Middle School
Jordan Smith earned her bachelor's degree in special education from Cleveland State University. She joins the district after six years as an intervention specialist with Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She enjoys volleyball, spending time outdoors and being with family and friends. She is interested in tutoring and coaching volleyball.
Julia Sedlecky, Second Grade Teacher, North Royalton Elementary School
Julia Sedlecky earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University. She has completed two long-term substitute assignments at North Royalton Elementary School, teaching second grade and later serving as an MTSS/Title teacher. Sedlecky enjoys hiking, reading and finding creative classroom activities. She looks forward to participating in district events and music-related activities.
Ashley Dlugolinski, Second Grade Teacher, North Royalton Elementary School
Ashley Dlugolinski earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University. She has spent the past two years as a long-term substitute teacher at North Royalton Elementary School, teaching first and third grade. She enjoys baking, hiking and pickleball and hopes to coach softball.
Taryn Cieslak, Intervention Specialist, North Royalton Middle School
Taryn Cieslak earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Kent State University and later earned her intervention specialist license from Baldwin Wallace University. She spent the past three years working with students with autism in Parma City Schools. Cieslak enjoys reading, pickleball, Pilates and walking her dog. She looks forward to becoming involved in school clubs and activities.
Andrew Bradley, School Psychologist, North Royalton Elementary School
Andrew Bradley earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Earlham College and his master's degree in school psychology from Youngstown State University. He joins North Royalton after two years as a school psychologist with Maple Heights City Schools. Bradley enjoys hiking, working out, and following Cleveland sports. He hopes to help students build strong connections within the school community.
Nathan Zadzilka, Choir Teacher, North Royalton High School and Middle School
Nathan Zadzilka earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University and completed his student teaching at Hudson High School. He enjoys performing in community theater productions and cheering on the Cleveland Guardians. He looks forward to becoming involved in theater, music and potentially coaching baseball.
Lauren Bucciere, Preschool Teacher, North Royalton Elementary School
Lauren Bucciere joins North Royalton Elementary School as a preschool teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Cleveland State University and her Special Education endorsement from Ohio University. Lauren brings five years of experience as an intervention specialist with Parma City School District. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family and visiting Cedar Point. She also looks forward to becoming involved in family engagement opportunities, including Literacy Night, fundraising events, and kindergarten transition activities.
Lena Mekruit - Long-term First-Grade Substitute Teacher, North Royalton Elementary School
Lena Mekruit earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University, specializing in Early Childhood Education. She completed her student teaching at Brecksville-Broadview Heights Elementary School and recently served North Royalton Elementary School as a second-grade long-term substitute. Outside of school, she enjoys staying active, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Lena looks forward to getting involved beyond the classroom and hopes to volunteer with Girls on the Run.
Maria Vitko - Long-term Kindergarten Substitute Teacher, North Royalton Elementary School
Maria Vitko joins North Royalton Elementary School as a long-term kindergarten substitute teacher. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Malone University. Outside the classroom, Maria enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors with family and friends. She is also interested in getting involved with Girls on the Run or coaching, continuing a lifelong passion for athletics.
Stacy Bardwell - Long-term MTSS/Title Substitute Teacher, North Royalton Elementary School
Stacy Bardwell joins North Royalton Elementary School as a long-term MTSS/Title substitute teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Education degree from Cleveland State University and also holds a reading endorsement and an intervention specialist license. Stacy enjoys spending time with her four children and going for runs. She hopes to become involved with Girls on the Run outside the classroom.
Addison Keitlen - Long-Term Second-Grade Substitute Teacher, North Royalton Elementary School
Addison Keitlen joins North Royalton Elementary School as a long-term second-grade substitute teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in PK-5 Education from Miami University. A proud graduate of North Royalton City Schools, Addison is excited to return to the district where her own educational journey began. Outside the classroom, she enjoys teaching dance and has a passion for the performing arts.
Judd Lutz, Assistant Principal, North Royalton High School
Justin "Judd" Lutz joins North Royalton High School as assistant principal. He brings extensive experience in educational leadership, having most recently served as assistant principal at Tiffin Middle School. Lutz began his career as a mathematics teacher before moving into school leadership, where he has been recognized for his commitment to students, staff, and families. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Adolescent to Young Adult Education from the University of Mount Union and a Master's Degree in Educational Administration with Principal Licensure from Ashland University. In addition to his role as assistant principal, Lutz will serve as the head football coach for North Royalton High School. He looks forward to building strong relationships with students, staff, and families while supporting student success both inside and outside the classroom.
As they prepare classrooms, meet colleagues, and get ready to welcome students in August, North Royalton City Schools is excited to welcome these newest members of the Bear family and wishes them a successful school year.