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 until she started IDEA House in 2011. Since then, IDEA House has helped hundreds of 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 an Intervention Specialist, owner and director of IDEA House. She has three children, of her own. 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: [email protected]
Mrs. Shumate is an Intervention Specialist, owner and director of IDEA House. She has three children, of her own. 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: [email protected]
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Michelle Cahoon -- Resource Specialist
Mrs. Cahoon is married and lives in Portage Lakes with her husband. They have a wonderful son who has severe autism. Mrs. Cahoon has been working and volunteering at local special needs agencies for over 15 years. She has volunteered for ASPIES Greater Akron and Summit County Juvenile Court New Paths Committee. She has had extensive training in community resources.
Andrea Mitchell -- Intervention Specialist
Mrs. Mitchell has a BS from Ball State University in biology and an Intervention Specialist/mild to moderate from Notre Dame College. She loves working at IDEA House teaching math, science and any other subject that comes along. Having the students for years in a row is a benefit to helping them achieve their dreams and become all that God has created them to be.
Andrea lives in Wayne County with her husband, two dogs and a cat. She enjoys gardening, crafting and playing music in her spare time. 
Emily Schustrich -- Aide
Miss Schustrich is a Jackson High school graduate and is working towards her Early Childhood Education degree. She is the mother to a wonderful little girl. Miss Schustrich has been working with children for roughly 10 years.
Shanda Louzader -- Office Manager
Mrs. Louzader and her husband moved to Medina in 1994 from the south. They have resided in Medina since then raising two children; a son who is 18 years old and a daughter who is 16 years old.
After 12 years of being at home with her kids, she had an interest in returning to work. In 2016 she started working at IDEA House and has gained so much knowledge and love for all of the students and staff. It truly is a FAMILY ENVIRONMENT! Hannah Krochmal- Aide
Miss Krochmal is a member of the support staff here at IDEA House. "I am currently in school for Human and Social Services, and hope to use my degree to continue working with children or to start working with veterans. I feel extremely blessed to be able to work at such a loving school, that truly cares for its students in all aspects. IDEA house holds a special place in my heart."
Ben Lett - Support Staff
Mr. Lett is part of the IDEA House support staff. His patience and insights into the needs of students makes him a valuable team member and favorite among IDEA House's youngest students. Mr. Lett was one of the first teen staff at IDEA House in 2012! Cody Shumate - Behavior Technician in Training
Mr. Shumate has worked at IDEA House in a variety of roles since its creation in 2011. He began as a teen staff in 2012, has served as general classroom support, as a one-on-one attendant, and coordinator of fire and safety drills. Mr. Shumate has grown in his behavior management skills to become the "go-to-guy" for assisting students with calming activities and sensory breaks. He also assists with all maintenance and building projects at IDEA House. Mr. Shumate is currently taking classes in Autism education strategies and Behavioral techniques. 
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Leia Ellis -- Intervention Specialist
Mrs. Ellis is married and the mother of 2 children, a 18 yr. old son and 14 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!" Michelle Gonsiewski -- Aide
Mrs. Gonsiewski is 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! " Lillian Carson -- Aide
Miss Carson is currently an aide at IDEA House! She graduated from Green High School in 2016 will graduate from the University of Akron in December of 2021. Miss Carson will become a licensed intervention specialist for grades K-12 and her dream job is to remain at IDEA House as an intervention specialist. She states, " In my free time I enjoy hikes with my big dog, Winston, and watching Netflix. I am an active person outside of work where I am a part of a women’s rugby team. We play lots of rugby as well as fundraising and volunteering at numerous places throughout Akron. I have worked at IDEA House for most of my college career and the knowledge I have gained from both experiences is immense. I thank God everyday for my job because I can honestly say it is one of the most amazing places I have ever worked at. "
Megan Ludwig --Intervention Specialist
Miss Ludwig graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Special education k-12 moderate to intensive. She recently earned her Intervention Specialist license. "Since I was younger I’ve always had a special connection and place in my heart for this field and the people that I get to meet through it. My heart has always been in with working with kids, I simply love the experiences, stories and connections that are made. "
Jordan Calhoun - Teacher
Mr. Calhoun teaches personal finance and government courses at IDEA House. He has a Bachelor's Degree in the field of Political Science and a Master's degree in Secondary Education. " I have been in the teaching field for 3 years and have enjoyed every moment of it because I am able to provide to the best of my abilities, a solid foundation of education. I was a scholar-athlete throughout my entire education and grew up in Upstate New York before permanently moving to Ohio after completion of my school programs. I hope your child has a successful and uplifting experience while attending IDEA House."
Amanda Rininger --Licensed Teacher
Miss Rininger has always dreamed of impacting the lives of children and has been blessed to do so for almost a decade now. Whether in a preschool setting learning through play, a classroom experiencing new "ah-ha" moments, or a church setting feeling the work of God, she has been incredibly blessed to experience the true joy that comes through working with children over and over again. When she isn't teaching, she is enjoying daily adventures with her three beautiful huskies! Miss Rininger thoroughly enjoys each new day as it comes with the offer of hope and new learning opportunities at every turn.
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BRADY--RIP to our Service Dog. You are missed!
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 is http://wags4kids.org/.