Teaching & Learning

Kristin Clark
Focus: Elementary Education
216-227-5723  I email

Materials Matter. The role of the Elementary Coordinator of Teaching and Learning is to facilitate the collaborative update of elementary courses of study, the collaborative selection and procurement of high quality core instruction and assessment materials, support corresponding professional learning opportunities for staff, and support data based decision making at the elementary level to enable the actualization of Lakewood City Schools’ Vision of a Graduate. This work encompasses Lakewood’s elementary Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee, the use of High Quality Student Data, collaborations with elementary building principals, collaborations with grade level teacher teams, collaborations with community-based early childhood partners on kindergarten readiness, and elementary summer programming.

Cassandra Squires
Focus: Secondary Education
216-227-5115 I email

The role of the Secondary Coordinator of Teaching and Learning is to support teachers and principals with the secondary courses of studies, work collaboratively in writing new course proposals, support teacher teams in evaluating new materials, and organize and facilitate professional learning. The Secondary Coordinator supports our Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, STEM, World Language and Westshore teams. 

Carissa Spitzer
216-529-4087 I email

The Gifted Coordinator is responsible for gifted programming throughout the District including cluster grouping, advanced and honors-level classes, and the Grant Self-Contained Program.  Along with the development and implementation of the Related Arts Curriculum, the roles of the gifted coordinator include Acceleration, Early Entrance to Kindergarten, whole grade level gifted screening, Written Education Plans, Written Acceleration Plans, and supporting general education and gifted certified teachers. 

Merritt F. Waters, Ph. D. 
216-227-5593 I email

When implemented systematically across a school district, high-quality social emotional learning (SEL) supports academic achievement, graduation, attendance, school climate, educational equity and other important outcomes (CASEL.org).  The five key social-emotional competencies are self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.  We provide SEL instruction and support at three different levels to meet the needs of all students:  Tier I (for all), Tier 2 (for students who need additional instruction in the necessary social emotional skills), and Tier 3 (intensive, ongoing support).

 As a district that prioritizes global awareness, communication and empathy, Lakewood City Schools emphasizes the quality and importance of supporting our English learners and their families.  We provide resources, learning opportunities and guidance to our staff members who teach English to those who speak other languages and the others who connect with our English learners in our schools each day.  Through screening, differentiated/adapted instruction (when needed), and assessment of progress, we encourage the growth of our students toward fluency in English.  For adults interested in learning English, we are pleased to partner with Cuyahoga Community College who offers free classes right here in Lakewood.  Please call 216-529-4240 for more information.