Staff and Board - Hope Academy Recovery High School

Rachelle Gardner

Executive Director

Email: rachellegardner@hopeacademyrhs.org

One of the school’s founders, Rachelle Gardner began her career as an addictions counselor, and is now the executive director of Hope Academy. She previously served as director of adolescent services at Fairbanks Recovery Center and as the board chair for the Association of Recovery Schools. Rachelle holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from Indiana University, and a master’s degree in organizational management. She is also a licensed clinical addiction counselor in Indiana. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she is passionate about helping adolescents affected by drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.

Jon Shapiro

Director of Fundraising and Donor Relations

Email: jshapiro@hopeacademyrhs.org

Jon grew up in New York City and has called Indy home for the past 11 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service Management from Empire State College and has spent his career, over 25 years, working in a variety of youth focused nonprofit organizations. Jon has a personal connection to and is passionate about the journey of recovery. He enjoys biking, exercising and spending time with his wife & teenage son.

Deb Leser

Director of Curriculum and Instruction/Guidance

Email: dleser@hopeacademyrhs.org

Mrs. Leser’s goal is to ensure that all students are Career and College ready before graduation. She helps students determine what classes they need in order to keep students on track for graduation. She coordinates special education services and is a member of the new student interview team. Mrs. Leser provides help with FAFSA, college and scholarship applications, and assists students in meet testing and submission deadlines. She coordinates all the state required testing.

Mrs. Leser earned a Bachelor of Science in Science Education with her teacher certification in Chemistry and Biology at Ball State University. She has a Masters degree from Butler University’s CACREP Accredited School Counseling Program, an Administrator’s Certification from IUPUI and an ED.S. from Indiana University. In addition, she recently completed an Associates Degree in Cybersecurity at Ivy Tech Community College.

Linda Gagyi

Director of Special Projects

Email: lgagyi@hopeacademyrhs.org

Linda Gagyi grew up in the Chicago area, attended Eastern Illinois University and graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in education. She earned a master’s degree in education and an administrator’s license from Indiana Wesleyan University. Linda has been an educator for over 30 years, having served as a math, science and technology teacher as well as a building-level administrator. Linda and her husband have two sons, Steven and Christopher, and one grandson.

Janie Klank

School Nurse

Janie Klank, RN, School Nurse (jklank@hopeacademyrhs.org)

Derek Richey

Science Teacher

Derek Richey, Science Teacher (drichey@hopeacademyrhs.org)

Adam Teal

Director of Outreach

Adam Teal, Director of Outreach (ateal@hopeacademyrhs.org)

Luz Moreno

Administrative Assistant

Luz Moreno, (lmoreno@hopeacademyrhs.org)

Jalaya Dowell

Special Education Teacher

Jalaya Dowell, (jdowell@hopeacademyrhs.org)

Sam Scheib

Recovery Coach

Sam Scheib, (sscheib@hopeacademyrhs.org)

Josh Johnson

Peer Recovery Specialist

Josh Johnson, (jjohnson@hopeacademyrhs.org)

Erin Flick

Therapist

Erin Flick, (eflick@hopeacademyrhs.org)

Brent Shopp

Recovery Coach

Brent Shopp, (bshopp@hopeacademyrhs.org)

Elisabeth Sharber

English Teacher

Elisabeth Sharber joined the Hope Academy team as an English teacher in February 2022. She attended Messiah College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing. She holds minors in political science and psychology.

As an English teacher, she works with students in English class, Etymology, Composition, Creative Writing and Poetry. She also develops curriculum and works to build positive relationships with students and families alike.

Before coming to Hope Academy, she worked at Frankfort High School in Franklin, Indiana and at Crossland Hills High School in Temple Hills, Maryland.

Elisabeth was inspired to join the Hope Academy team because of their attention to student-centered learning and development.

“Hope has a unique understanding of trauma and the whole self. Hope understands the importance of social emotional learning. In addition, Hope values teamwork and progress.”

She hopes her students feel empowered to lean into the power of words, writing and communication. She urges them to use these tools with purpose. She also hopes to model self efficacy and resiliency in light of difficult moments.

When she isn’t with her students, you can find her writing poetry and blogs, hiking, and spending time around trees and rivers. She is often deep in thought but she loves to laugh and joke around.

Gianna Dowell

Art Teacher

gdowell@hopeacademyrhs.org

Gianna was initially drawn to Hope Academy because of its small community surrounded by people and students who are authentic as they overcome the obstacles they are facing. She has enjoyed getting to know her students and admires that they aren’t afraid to be real and open.

Gianna shared, “I like working in intimate settings with youth where I can help them learn but also help them be aware of their own emotions, thoughts and feelings while expressing it through art to help them take control of their life in an abstract way.”

Art is such an amazing outlet to be expressive, creative and vulnerable. This is Gianna’s hope for her students: “That they learn how to healthily cope with any issues they are having, learn how to be openly empathetic and find a passion in art they didn’t even know was there.”

Gianna is originally from Evansville and now living in Indianapolis. She double majored in Art History and Studio Art. Previously, Gianna worked as a freelance artist and for Amazon. Some of her hobbies include writing music, art commissions and watching anime.

Her favorite quote is “everything always happens for a reason.” We are sure glad that Gianna is at Hope Academy inspiring our students to express their creativity.

Aleesha Bullock, LSW

Recovery/Parent Coach

Email: abullock@hopeacademyrhs.org

Aleesha grew up in Indianapolis, IN. She attended Trine University for undergrad and graduated with a bachelor’s in science and a minor in criminal justice. She also earned a master’s degree in social work from Indiana University Purdue University.

Aleesha has been working in this field since 2012, having served as a program coordinator, adolescent and young adult guidance specialist, intern, and addictions counselor. She has been working with individuals who struggle with addiction and their families since 2015.

Caroline Vas

Director of Recovery Services

Email: cvas@hopeacademyrhs.org

As the Director of Recovery Services, Caroline oversees all aspects of the recovery curriculum and leads the recovery team at Hope . Caroline enjoys planning and leading the recovery groups, AA & NA meetings, and social events that students can attend.

Caroline graduated from IUPUI with a B.A in Psychology and recently completed her Master of Social Work Degree at IUPUI. She is also certified yoga instructor. Caroline enjoys hiking, fishing, travel, rock climbing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Jordan Mills

Social Studies Teacher

Email: jmills@hopeacademyrhs.org

Originally from Evansville, Jordan Mills moved to Indianapolis in 2008 to teach at Hope Academy. An avid board gamer who attends Gen Con every year, Jordan enjoys finding social deduction and bluffing games to bring back to school for the students to play. Additionally, he enjoys collecting antiques – many of which are on display in his classroom – and running half marathons.

Kristen Gray

Director of Operations

Email: kgray@hopeacademyrhs.org

Originally from Indianapolis, Kristen obtained her title insurance license in 2006 and worked as an escrow officer for more than ten years.

Kristen has a personal connection to recovery and has known about Hope Academy for many years. She’s ready to put her organizational and operations skills to good use at Hope.

Kristen loves reading, traveling, boating and working on DIY projects. Kristen also enjoys spending time with her family, especially her teenage daughter.

Kelly Johnson

STARR Room Coordinator

Administration

School Staff

Board of Directors

Login with Hope Academy Recovery High School