Citizens Academy Glenville

Tiersa Sullivan joined the Open Doors Academy team September 2019. She served as Campus Coordinator at Euclid Middle School for three years, as well as a Classroom Coordinator at the Citizens Academy Southeast Remote Learning Center, before becoming the Program Manager for the Breakthrough Public Schools and Euclid City Schools.

Tiersa attended school in the Bedford City School District for K-12th grade, graduating from Bedford High School in 2002. After high school, she attended The University of Akron, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. After college, she began her teaching career at a charter school in Cleveland Ohio for 4 years as a Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade teacher. After 4 years, she made the decision to devote her time in staying home with her 3 amazing kids.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading books, spending quality time with her kids/spouse, and shopping. She is devoted in continuing to help make a difference in the lives of our youth.

Gina Cantale joined the Open Doors Academy team in September 2020. She began at ODA as a Coordinator during the Remote Learning Centers for Cleveland Heights and she currently serves as a Family Advocate. Gina is passionate about empowering others and advocating for those who face injustice.

In August 2020, Gina graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. While attending BGSU, Gina held a leadership role in a service-learning community and spent her time volunteering in the Toledo area. She is currently attending Case Western Reserve University to obtain a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Community Practice for Social Change.

Gina loves reading, cooking and baking, spending time with friends and family, and most importantly, her dogs!

“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” -Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Toni Bisbee joined Open Doors Academy in November of 2020, working at the Citizens East campus as a part of the remote learning center (RLC). She was then transferred to the Willard Campus as a Coordinator for the remainder of the RLC. She has now returned to Citizen Academy East to work as a Coordinator for the elementary scholars.

Toni is currently working on earning her degree in Occupational Therapy and Psychology at Cleveland State University. Before working with ODA, she volunteered with various daycares and after-school programs.

When not doing homework and working at ODA, Toni can be found on the football field coaching youth cheerleaders, as well as outside reading a good book!

Vaughn Williams is a Campus Coordinator at Euclid Middle School. Vaughn began his journey with Open Doors Academy when he joined the program back in 7th grade. He found his niche working with children during his internship roles at ODA throughout the years. Vaughn was mentored by some of the same staff he calls his coworkers today, and he’s able to pass those same skills along to his scholars.

Marcela Denti is originally from Argentina and, in 2023, she was granted her U.S. green card. She brings 12 years of experience as a Teacher Assistant at Hope Academies, a network of charter schools, and has also worked for 8 years as an international secretary at a law firm. Marcela strongly believes reading is one of the most essential educational skills for young learners. She emphasizes that when scholars achieve reading fluency in kindergarten, their chances of academic success increase significantly. Being bilingual has been an invaluable asset throughout her life, and she is passionate about encouraging her students to learn another language.

Outside of her professional life, Marcela enjoys Zumba and loves cooking for family and friends, adding a colorful and vibrant touch to her personal interests.

"Children are great imitators; let’s give them something great to imitate" is a motto NaSheena Vinson lives by. Growing up in Southern California, she saw this firsthand, helping her parents run non-profits and a private Christian school. Her early experiences instilled a deep passion for serving others.

NaSheena's career spans years as Camp Lead Coordinator and Sports Director at Camp Destiny, alongside a four-year stint in the medical field as a Medical Sonographer. She later returned to her passion, coaching basketball and coordinating afterschool programs for Hemet Unified School District, where she managed programs for over 200 students and boosted attendance by 97%.

Now at Open Doors Academy, NaSheena brings her diverse background to enrich the lives of youth in Ohio, combining family advocacy, afterschool care, and her love of sports and education.