Meet our Staff

Angi Shumate--Owner/Director/Teacher/Advocate

Angi Shumate is owner and director of IDEA House Educational Services located in Canal Fulton, Ohio. She has a degree in Special Education and has taught in the public schools from 1991 till she started IDEA House in 2011. In the year and a half that IDEA House has been open, they have helped 150 plus families. IDEA House started as a tutoring program and became an all-day school within a few months because of need. "I always dreamed of an environment that was tailor made for students to grow and learn in a manner that would best prepare them for adult employment and independence. These kids are accomplishing things each day that may have seemed unimaginable in their previous school settings. To witness that kind of growth is a privilege I never take for granted or stop appreciating." IDEA House is known for reaching the child where they learn. "We are completely different than a public school. These kids are given the best of everything we can offer--provided in a setting that is supportive and most conducive to generalization. We educate the WHOLE child!"

Mrs. Shumate is a behavior interventionist, owner and director of IDEA House. She has three children, of her own. All three work at IDEA House, during the summer months. Mrs. Shumate started teaching in 1989. "Since that time, I have worked with hundreds of individuals with disabilities. I have been licensed to teach since 1991 and saw my dream become a reality in 2011 with the creation of IDEA House. Of all the blessings I have been granted, teaching is the one I am most grateful for. When I get into a classroom with students, I feel alive and fulfilled. Thank you for providing me that privilege on a daily basis."
Email: Shumate.ideahouse@gmail.com

Ann Kagarise--Assistant Director/Human Resources/Social Studies

Ann Kagarise has a BA from Malone College in psychology and a Masters of Divinity with an emphasis in counseling. She attended Ashland Theological Seminary and got her degree from Andersonville Theological Seminary. She has worked with kids in group homes and was a swim coach for 12 years with Perry Schools. She also worked in Stark County Jail as a counselor with the women and was a Director of a Battered Woman's Shelter/Rape Crisis center in Wayne County for three years. She was a journalist/columnist for Gatehouse Media for 8 years writing for The Suburbanite and The Canton Repository. That column brought her to the doorsteps of IDEA House and she decided to stay. She also is on the Autism Spectrum. "I just love working with the kids. Since I am on the spectrum myself, I understand where they are coming from at a deeper level. I love watching them grow each and every day. The staff at IDEA House truly love these kids and meet each one of them as an individual." Recently, Ann was listed in the Top 10 Talented Individuals with Autism who Inspired in 2014. She was also named Top 10 in the Last 10 People with Autism who offer Hope by Autism Speaks. Email is kagarise.ideahouse@gmail.com

Michelle Cahoon --Resource Specialist

Michelle Cahoon has been working and volunteering at local special needs agencies for 15 years. She currently volunteers for ASPIES Greater Akron and Summit County Juvenile Court New Paths Committee. Michelle has had extensive training in community resources. She lives in Portage Lakes with her husband and son Tristan. Tristan is 16 years old and has Autism.

Lynn Vincent-- Licensed Behavior Interventionist

Lynn has been a special education teacher for 30 years, teaching in the Cleveland Heights-
University Heights City Schools, the South Euclid-Lyndhurst City Schools, and most recently in he Hudson City Schools until her retirement in June. Throughout her career as an Intervention Specialist Mrs. Vincent has worked with children with a variety of disabilities, with an emphasis on students identified with Specific Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders, Autism, and
Cognitive Delays.Mrs. Vincent has a Bachelor’s Degree from Wittenberg University in Elementary and Special
Education and a Master’s Degree from John Carroll University in Supervision. She holds Ohio Teaching Certificates/Licenses in the areas of Special Education, Elementary Education, and Elementary Administration.
Lynn served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem for the Summit County
Juvenile Court for five years and had volunteered for Camp Quality Ohio’s summer camp for six years.
Lynn has been married to her husband, Kevin, for three years. She does not have any children of her own but has helped raise her niece, was a foster mother, and has three adult step-children.“I am very excited to become a part of Idea House and all of the wonderful things they do on a daily basis to help promote academic, social, and emotional growth in children with Autism”.

Leia Ellis--Licensed Behavior Interventionist/Teacher

Leia is married and the mother of 2 children, a 13 yr. old son and 9 year old daughter who both attend Green Local Schools. She graduated from the University of Akron in 1999 with a Bachelor's of Science in Education, majoring in Special Education and is a behavior interventionist. She has worked various jobs over the years, ranging from working with adults with disabilities in a group home setting to foster children in a group home setting to substitute teaching in Green Local Schools and an inner city charter school to hospice/home health care.
She is extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with the amazing children, staff, and parents of IDEA House. "The mission and philosophy of IDEA House is amazing, and I love working with the children, not only teaching them but learning from them as well. IDEA House is a very special and unique school that I feel blessed to be a part of, and I am looking forward to a wonderful and educational school year!"

Kristopher Kelley--Licensed Teacher

Kristopher has a BA in Middle Childhood Education from MVNU, and after he graduated he was able to tutor privately and work in the public schools for almost eight years. He has a big heart for the kids and loves to learn himself. "Working with a small number of students is great because of all the attention I can give them individually."
He currently lives with his family and enjoys playing card and board games with family and friends. UNO and marbles have been his favorite since a little kid, but some friends in Dayton are really stretching his gaming ability with co-op games. He also loves playing the piano, acting and singing in plays or musicals, and wants to continue traveling.

Lauren Dunaway--Instructional Aide

Lauren has her BA in Psychology and Youth Development from The Ohio State University. She has several years experience working with children of many ages, from infants to adolescents, in a variety of settings. Before coming to Idea House, Lauren worked as a Site Director for before-and-after school care with elementary aged students for the Paul and Carol David YMCA in Jackson Township. Lauren is pursuing her Master’s in Occupational Therapy to continue her work with children with special needs, and additionally volunteers at Akron Children’s Hospital in the OT department. Lauren grew up in North Canton and currently resides in Canton with her husband.

Andrea Mitchell--Instructional Aide-- Math/Science upper level

Andrea has her BS from Ball State University in biology. She has several years experience working in schools and with homeschool groups teaching upper level math and science. Andrea is currently taking classes towards her Master's in Social Work. Andrea is also the Children's Pastor at a small church in Canton where her husband and two dogs live.

Michelle Dyer--Instructional Aide

I am a mother of three wonderful boys. When my middle son was diagnosed with severe autism. I went back to school at Stark Technological College, to get an associates degree in Occupational Therapy. I wanted to go into a field where I could better understand Autism and work with individuals on the spectrum. After years of working in different school districts and private therapy, I took time off to focus on my son's needs. When I came back to work, I wanted a schedule that allowed me to be there for my kids. I have found I love being an aide. I love seeing the kids grow on a daily basis. For obvious reasons. I have a special place in my heart for all people on the spectrum and want to help them reach their fullest potential. I'm so excited working at IDEA House, I love that the staff looks at the whole child and meets them where they are. I love that they encourage them to be the best they can be!

Melody Sherard Redman--Instructional Aide

Melody Sherard Redman holds an MA in Sociology and a BA in Criminology and Law Enforcement both from the University of Akron. A native of Akron, Mrs. Redman has
been an active member of her community. She has worked in the Akron Chapter YWCA as a fitness instructor, the Kohl Family YMCA in University Park as Aquatics Coordinator, Rockynol Retirement Center as a private duty aide, and within the former Stow Public Library system as an Assistant Children’s Librarian. As a student at AU Mrs. Redman was on staff at Adult Focus and a graduate assistant within the Sociology Department.

Mrs. Redman has a deep love for children and considers IDEA House to be a unique environment that educates children by developing the whole child. She especially
appreciates the home school setting that creates loving spaces where children feel safe and secure. Mrs. Redman is a widowed mother of four and successfully home schooled all of her children.

Larissa Papas--Instructional Aide

I recently received my Bachelors of Arts in English from the University of Akron where I concentrated on Creative Writing and Popular Literature and Film. I plan on continuing my education in the next year by starting a second bachelors in Adolescent/ Young Adult Integrated Language Arts Education and from there moving on to a masters program. While an undergrad I played Baritone in Akron's marching band and concert band, and I still continue to play in a community band. I also enjoy writing, and have a few short stories published. So far my favorite thing about working at Idea House is seeing how the boys and girls teach each other and teach me. I'm constantly being blown away with their ability to push themselves and inspire everyone around them to have that same drive. It's amazing to be able to light that spark, and just watch them go.

Cody Durbin--Instructional Aide

Cody Durbin is an Instructional Aide at IDEA house. He currently attends Stark State and plans to recieve his associate's in education this summer. He plans to go to either Kent or Akron afterwards. Cody was a lifeguard for a year at the YMCA, then later joined IDEA house, where he found what he was passionate about. He plans to become an intervention specialist and is excited to have an impact on these amazing students.

Erica Yates--Instructional Aide

Erica has her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Missouri State University. She has always enjoyed working with children and knew she wanted to have a career where she could make a difference. Erica was born in Cleveland and raised in North Ridgeville, OH. She also recently moved back to Canal Fulton from Springfield, MO with her husband. Together they have a one-year- old son, and three cats. After taking some time off, Erica is excited to be working with the children at Idea House and hopes to
make a positive impact. “Working at IDEA House, it is exciting to know that each day is going to be different. My passion for learning and compassion for children has motivated my interest in autism. I enjoy encountering new challenges every day, and we have the most amazing and supportive staff I have come across. I am so thankful to be a part of The IDEAHouse family and look forward to the coming year with these remarkable students!”

Blodwyn Tristano--Attendant

Mrs. Tristano has a real passion for our students. She takes all her life's experiences with kids and is able to meet each student where they are. She is a hands on attebdant. She attends to every student amazingly.

Jessica Alcorn--Attendant

Jessica Alcorn is working on her associate degree in Education at Stark State. Then, will
be moving to Kent Stark or Akron to work on her Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Childhood
Education. She graduated from Perry High School. She also works at Old Carolina Barbecue in Massillon. She and her husband Dustin reside in Massillon. She is excited to have the opportunity to work at IDEA house as her first job with students. Everyone here is lovely and she is so happy to be a part of this school.

Victoria Csaky--Attendant

I graduated from Green High School in June of 2016. I am currently attending the University Of Akron and plan on getting a degree in Early Special Education. I have worked with children at my church and that is when I realized I had a passion to help them. When I started working at IDEA house I immediately fell in love with my job. I can't wait to go to work everyday and spend time with these students with such creative minds.

BRADY--Hero Service Dog

Brady is our service dog. He was given to us by W.A.G.S., an organization dedicated to training and placing mobility service and skilled companion animals for children with disabilities. They are driven by their belief in early intervention. They work with families (and organizations like IDEA House) to place a dog as early in a child's life as there is a need an an interest. Their website ishttp://wags4kids.org/.