MEET OUT INTERVENTION TEAM
Lisa Ruth, Intervention Coordinator
BA in Elementary Education-Ohio Dominican College
Masters in Special Education (Intervention Specialist)-Miami University
I am excited to begin my 27th year at St. Matthew School! After teaching fourteen years in our 2nd grade, I was asked to fill the newly created Intervention Coordinator position to help improve our intervention services. Because I grew up with a physically disabled sister, I had a very special place in my heart for students with special needs. Now, I’m thrilled to say that we have a wonderful TEAM of staff members who provide support for our students who learn differently.
Additionally, I'm proud to say that I have three children who attended St. Matthew School. My oldest, Brianna, married one of my former 2nd graders, Michael Arnold, this summer. My other two children, Hallie and Ryan, will both be graduating this year. Hallie will be a senior at Ohio University and Ryan will be a senior at Bishop Hartley. My husband, Rudy, has been watching me take my job home for the past 26 years. Although it's A LOT of work, I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to serve St. Matthew in this role.
Christine Bogue, Intervention Specialist (7th and 8th )
As we begin our 2017-18, I am humbly grateful for the opportunity to work with the amazing staff and invaluable parents of St. Matthew School for my third year as an Intervention Specialist. The dedication and determination of our administrators, teachers, and parents make our intervention program one of the most comprehensive and effective programs in the Diocese of Columbus. As I work collaboratively with our team to facilitate spiritual development of our students and maximize their academic achievement, I continue to be inspired by the effort and perseverance of our students.
My passion for teaching started as an elementary student as St. Michael School in Worthington. I watched my older brother’s journey through 12 years of Catholic school as a student with learning differences. I observed the challenges he faced and the immeasurable benefits he received from an inclusive Christ-centered educational program. I received my undergraduate degree from the Ohio State University in Special Education in 1994, and recently completed graduate courses at Otterbein University in Intervention. I feel blessed beyond words to be a mom to three boys: John 21 at Ohio Dominican University, Danny at DeSales High School, and Mikey at St. Michael’s in 7th grade. I love spending time with my family, watching my boys laugh together, and solving life’s challenges, one puzzle piece at a time!
Debbie Kitsmiller, Intervention Specialist (5th and 6th)
I am excited to begin my first year teaching at St. Matthew School! I attended Catholic schools in the Columbus Diocese from kindergarten through twelfth grade. I received my Bachelor of Science in Education from The Ohio State University and have taught as an intervention specialist for over 14 years. I also had the opportunity to teach in a 3rd/4th grade split and work in curriculum coordination at a Prep School in the Caribbean for 2 years. My husband, Chris, our daughters, and I live just east of Pickerington with our 2 dogs, cat, and goats. We are active parishioners at Seton Parish.
Currently, my 4 daughters attend St. Pius X and Bishop Hartley. In my free time, I enjoy any outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and coaching my kids’ sporting activities. I truly enjoy teaching as each day brings new and exciting challenges and rewards. I am blessed to be teaching here at St. Matthew where I am able to help students grow in knowledge, empathy, and faith. I am looking forward to a great year!
Genny Lutz, Intervention Specialist (K through 4th)
Hello! My name is Geneva Lutz and I am the Intervention Specialist for kindergarten through 4th Grade here at St. Matthew. I graduated from the Ohio State University, and have been an Intervention Specialist since 2011. Prior to that, I worked for many years in the financial services field, mainly at Chase Mortgage. I also trained for a year and a half at the Children's Dyslexia Center in Dublin and am a certified Orton Gillingham practitioner. Teaching reading and math using multisensory methods is my focus at St. Matthew. I live in Westerville with my husband and teen daughter and attend Heritage Christian Church. Please feel free to contact me at any time at glutz@cdeducation.org. Partnering with parents to help students succeed is very important so do not hesitate to contact me!
Toni Lobello, SPICE Tutor
My name is Mrs. Toni Lobello and I am very excited to be a SPICE tutor at St. Matthew this year! I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana where I graduated with a degree in English Education. I was a classroom teacher for ten years before becoming a stay at home mom. I began my teaching career as a 4th and 5th grade Language Arts teacher and I eventually had a great opportunity to become a middle school Science teacher. I've also taught 1st and 2nd grade CCD classes and I am a former ESL tutor. As you can see, I really like working with children!
I have been married to my husband, Anthony, for 22 years. We have a son, Christian, entering his second year at OSU and a daughter, Madison, who is a freshman at New Albany High School. In my free time I like to be creative. I enjoy painting, crocheting, knitting, and crafting. I look forward to getting to know the St. Matthew family and feel blessed to be given the opportunity to work with your children.