STAFF PROFILE

Tell us a bit about your background.

I am a graduate of the University of Iowa with a bachelor of arts in art history. I have been married to my husband Chris for 15 years and have three children: Katie (12) and twin boys CJ and Will (11). We live in Wadsworth. I began volunteering when my kids started school. I loved my place in the classroom and became a one-on-one paraprofessional in the multiple disability unit.

What is your role at Cloverleaf Middle School?

I’m the lead paraprofessional for the emotional disability unit. The lead teacher and I started the unit two years ago during the COVID pandemic and its aftermath. It is a challenging career, but I love working with children with high behavioral needs. Along with behavior, we also are a resource room for social-emotional learning (grades 6-8), phonics (grades 6-8) and 6thgrade students for math and English language arts.

What is the best part of your job?

I am very proud of my work every day in our classroom and the lives we make better. One achievement I am particularly proud of is my collaboration with teachers and administrators on the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) team. Our program has received Silver and Bronze honors from the Ohio Department of Education. I love working with staff and helping them be the bridge to their student’s behavioral needs. I also work alongside the counseling department with our ROX (Ruling Our eXperiences) program. This is a girls empowerment group that helps build self-esteem and confidence. I am truly thankful to Cloverleaf for allowing me to take such an active role as a paraprofessional. This is one of the many reasons I am furthering my education to become a teacher.

Danielle Fassler

Paraprofessional, CMS

What are your career goals?

In June, I started my master’s degree in special education at Western Governors University. Starting over can be difficult and it can be scary at times. Throughout my journey to go back to school, I have talked myself out of it several times. There are two reasons I keep on going with my dream. One is my children. I do not want them to think there is an age requirement for dreams. You can accomplish what you are destined to do at any age. My next reason is for the kids who come to school every day and are not on the same level as their peers and who may have academic or behavioral struggles. I believe I can make a difference in those children’s lives.

What do you like to do outside of work?

When I am not at Cloverleaf, I am usually driving my kids around to all their activities. When we are not in the minivan, at the dance studio, or at the baseball diamond, we like to stay local. I enjoy hiking, biking and kayaking around Northeast Ohio. I love to read historical fiction, presidential biographies and self-help books. Chris and I are homebodies and enjoy cooking, baking and grilling. We do not travel much for vacations, but go back often to visit my family in Chicago and his family in Meriden, Iowa (pop. 90). We are huge Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Bears football fans!

Fall Sports Wrap-up ...

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Girls cross country took second in the MAC and finished its season at the state cross country championship, which is always an incredible achievement. The girls were invite champs at Keystone and Medina, then finished third in the district; fifth at regionals; and 15th in the state meet.

Megan Knapp, Emma Hibler and Alyssa Stoner were First Team, All-League. Madison Snyder, Brooke Gucker and Allison Yagersz were all Second Team, All-League. Vanessa Monhemius and Lauren Jensch were league honorable mentions. Gabriella Izzo, Knapp, Gucker, Snyder, Hibler, Monhemius and Yagersz qualified for regionals. Then, Hibler (as well as qualifying individually), Knapp, Gucker, Snyder, Monhemius and Yagersz all qualified for state.

“Both teams had great seasons, capped by the boys and girls qualifying for regionals, and the girls overcoming lots of adversity to qualify for the state championships,” Coach Garth Gucker said.

Volleyball completed its season 13-11, including 8-6 in the MAC. The team finished fourth in the MAC, beat Brunswick at the Medina County Preview, and made districts for the second year in a row. The team had a winning season with a very competitive schedule.

“The best part of our season was the growth I saw from our team from start to finish,” said Coach Rebecca Roupe. “We had a competitive schedule and a great run in our postseason.”

The community will be talking about the memories of these fall teams and athletes for a long time. Cloverleaf will try to keep the momentum going this winter. Go Colts!

Fassler recognized by OMLA

Cloverleaf Middle School paraprofessional Danielle Fassler has received the Support Staff Regional Award from the Ohio Middle Level Association. It’s presented each year to a school support staff member who fosters positive, trusting relationships with staff, students and parents. Danielle was recognized by OMLA in Columbus in November. “She gives everybody a fresh start every single day,” said Cloverleaf Middle School Principal Kristina Yako. “Not only does she inspire the kids, but she inspires a lot of her colleagues with her positivity, her patience and her understanding.”