ANTHONY ARRINGTON

Assistant Principal 

“I’m always open. I normally have candy in the office, [students can] stop by if they’re doing what they’re supposed to do.”

– Grew up in Cleveland, Ohio 

– Has been an educator for 26 years. He started as an English teacher and has worked in both Columbus and Whitehall City Schools.

– He became a teacher because he loves helping kids grow and be successful.

College: Central State University and Ashland University

Hobbies: working out and staying active

Bucket List Item: to go on an African safari

Favorite thing about South: the diversity of the student population and the school spirit

JACOB AUSTRINO

Director of Bands 

“When I reflect on my experience here and then I see the personalities, the initiative, and the passion of the students here, I realize there is something unique about going to school, specifically, at Westerville South.”

– Westerville South Alumni (Class of 2016) 

– Has been an educator for three years, previously working in Ada City Schools. 

– He became a teacher because he loves helping kids grow and be successful. He was also inspired to share the joy of music with others.

College: Ohio University

Hobbies: cooking (signature dish is chicken parmesan)

Dream Superpower: teleportation  

Favorite thing about South: the “worldliness” and “compassion” of the students 

MORGAN DIETZ 

Secretary Main Office 

“If [students] ever have an issue, they can feel free to come to me and I will help them the best I can or point them in the right direction.”

– Westerville South Alumni (Class of 2011) 

– She has been at South for five years, working with special needs students. She switched to a secretary position so she could work with more students and be more involved.

College: Ohio Dominican University

Hobbies: certified yoga instructor and attends sibling’s sports games 

Dream Superpower: invisibility 

Favorite thing about South: the work environment and the football games 

ANN ENGELHART

English 2nd Language Teacher 

“I’m really happy to be here!”

– She has three kids and two grandkids.  

– She has been an educator for 16 years and is currently teaching at both North and South.

– From a young age, she has always loved school, her teachers, and teaching others.

College: Wright State University and Otterbein University 

Hobbies: reading, exercising, fantasy football (manages two teams), and traveling 

Dream Superpower: invisibility

Favorite thing about South: everyone is friendly, welcoming, and helpful 

LUCAS HERSHBERGER

Business Foundations Teacher 

“Take a business class and go cats!” 

– This is his first year as an educator.  

– He became a teacher because he loves the classroom environment and interacting with students.

– He is excited to help grow the business education department.

College: The Ohio State University

Hobbies: reading, hanging out with friends, and playing in a volleyball league

Bucket List Item: to go to Spain and hike El Camino de Santiago trail

Favorite thing about South: the students smile in the hallways and it makes for a fun environment 

SHANNON PACHECO 

Intervention Specialist 

“GO IRISH!”

– She is originally from Columbus

– She has been an educator for 12 years. 

– She came to South so she could get back into teaching high school. 

College: The Ohio State University 

Hobbies: cooking, gardening, and hanging out with her three-year-old twins 

Dream Superpower: breathing underwater to explore the unknown 

Favorite thing about South: the students 

ISABELLA PALMISANO

Math Teacher 

Volleyball Coach 

“I’m happy to be here and go ‘Cats!”

– This is her first year as an educator.

– She became a teacher so that she could continue to coach.

College: Capital University 

Hidden Talent: photographic memory and trivia games 

Favorite thing about South: the environment, administration, and helpful teachers 

MATT REES

History Teacher

FCA Advisor 

“There are still places in the building that look exactly the same as when I was 15!” 

– Westerville South Alumni (Class of 1990) 

– He has been an educator for 28 years, previously working at Westerville Central.

– He knew he wanted to be a teacher since his junior year of high school. His German teacher let him teach the class when there was a substitute teacher

College: Ohio University 

Hobbies: plays and produces his own music 

Favorite thing about South: the people

MELISSA SIMASHKEVICH

English 2nd Language Teacher 

“I’m excited to be here and [I’m] really enjoying the students I’m working with so far.”

– She has been an educator for 24 years, previously working in special education and as a school counselor. She is currently teaching at both North and South.

– She knew she wanted to be a teacher from her experiences in college working with students.

College: Bowling Green State University

Hobbies: attending kid’s sporting events, reading, exercising, and playing golf 

Favorite thing about South: student involvement and family environment 

TERRA SPEARS

Assistant Principal 

“We are all struggling in one way or another and if we understand that most of what people say and do has less to do with us and more to do with their struggles, we would be better off. I’m here for trying to help people understand that.”

– She has been an educator for 26 years, previously as a history and language arts teacher. 

– She became an administrator to have a larger/wide scale impact on students, expectations, and the system.

College: Bowling Green State University, Wright State University, and University of Dayton 

Hobbies: yoga, meditation, reading/listening to audiobooks, caring for her dogs, and dancing

Go-to karaoke song: “Killing Me Softly” by Fugees  

Favorite thing about South: the diversity and community environment 

DESTINEE UFFER 

Assistant Manager Food Service  

“I am looking forward to theater performances!”

– Registered and licensed dietitian

– She has been working in food service for three years, previously working at Dayton Public Schools. 

– She became a dietitian because she wanted to know how things work and debunk misinformation. She would like to help improve school lunches for students.

College: University of Cincinnati 

Hobbies: reading and hiking 

Dream Superpower: shapeshifting