Rachel Maly, Team Leader & Math Teacher

Laura Collins, Language Arts

Andy Matlack, Science

Justin Shank, American History

Marlena Wright , Intervention Specialist 

Rachel Maly

This is my eleventh year here at Nordonia Middle School. I started out teaching Reading and English which transformed into Language Arts. My passion was math, though, and after my first four years, I was able to transfer into a math position in which I am currently the Team Leader and Middle School Math Content Advocate. I hope that my love for math will transfer to my students throughout the year. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education (Math and Language Arts) from Kent State University and my master’s degree in Educational Technology from Cleveland State University. In my spare time, I enjoy playing volleyball (both sand and indoor), hanging out with friends and family, scrapbooking, and boating/camping. I have been married for six years and have a wonderful son, Trevor, who is almost 4 years old who already enjoys looking for patterns and counting everything he lines up!!!

Justin Shank

This is my ninth year teaching at Nordonia Middle School and first year on Team Cyclone.  I am a proud two-time graduate of the University of Akron with a Bachelors Degree in Middle Level Education (Language Arts and Social Studies Endorsements) and a Masters Degree in “The Principalship.”  In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, biking, and traveling.  My travels have taken me to thirty-six different states and various spots in Central America.  My goal is to visit all fifty states and every continent.  I feel my travels offer an excellent opportunity to enrich the learning environment in my classroom.  I have a lovely wife, Laura, and two beagles (Cally and Finny) that keep me busy.  I have a website, mrshank.com, for those interested in viewing my lesson plan, binder list, enrichment websites, and the “Lame Joke of the Day.”

 Marlena Wright

I have had the pleasure of working at Nordonia Middle School for the last 9 years.  I have taught for a total of 14 years as an Intervention Specialist, and I specialize in the area of Language Arts.  Prior to Nordonia, I taught for Cleveland Public Schools at a school located in West Park.  I received my Bachelor’s degree from Ashland University in Education of the Handicapped K-12 and my Master’s degree from Baldwin Wallace College in Administration. I was very lucky to find and marry Mr. Wright; we have been married for over 10 years. We have a beautiful daughter, Elizabeth, who is 6 years old.   

Laura Collins

This is my 27th year with the Nordonia Hills City School District, and my 30th year teaching. I have spent most of my career as a gifted intervention specialist, working with students in grades 3-8 as a pull-out resource teacher. I have also been a resource for teachers in the area of enrichment in all subjects, and coached academic teams that competed at a state level or beyond for 26 years. This is my first year as a language arts teacher. I graduated from Wittenberg University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in English, and received my master's degree in curriculum and development/gifted services from Cleveland State University. I have traveled throughout North America and the Caribbean, as well as Great Britain, with my husband of almost 25 years and our 16-year old daughter.

Andy Matlack

This is my sixth year teaching in Nordonia Hills City Schools.  I spent my first four years teaching fourth grade at Ledgeview and moved over here to teach eighth grade science last year. I worked as an excavator/heavy machine operator while putting myself through school at Kent State University.   I earned my Bachelors degree in 2002. I am currently working on a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology at Kent State University and will be done very soon.  I have been married to my super wife that has put up with me without too much complaint for 10 years. We have two boys , 7 and 4, who do their best to never let me sit still.  I love camping and outdoor activities and I enjoy fixing things like my truck and house, but only when I don’t have to.