Meet our new Leadership, Teachers, and Staff for 2025-2026!
Bethany School is pleased to have the following individuals join our team! We are excited for a wonderful year of learning and growth!
Dr. Nathan Parker
Assistant Head for Academic Affairs
A very warm Bethany welcome to Dr. Nathan Parker, our Assistant Head for Academic Affairs.
Prior to joining Bethany, Dr. Parker served as a statewide education administrator for the State of Tennessee. Most recently, he was the founding Director of School Programs & Supports for the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, where he oversaw academic programming for 17 charter schools serving approximately 6,000 students.
Previously, as Senior Director of School Choice at the Tennessee Department of Education, Dr. Parker supported the expansion of high-quality public and private school choice options for Tennessee families.
Before his tenure with the State of Tennessee, Dr. Parker spent over a decade working in K–12 schools across Arizona, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Ohio. His school-based roles included History Teacher (grades 6–9), Grade-Level Chair, Dean of Academics, Director of Operations, and School Director.
Dr. Parker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Studies and a Master of Public Administration from The Ohio State University. He also holds a Master of Education from Arizona State University and an Ed.D. in K–12 Education Policy and Leadership from Vanderbilt University, where he served as an adjunct assistant professor in Peabody College, teaching Human Development.
Dr. Parker lives in West Chester with his husband, Marko, and their rescue dog, Frankie. He enjoys reading, hiking, playing board games, and spending time with his nieces and nephews in Columbus, Ohio.
Mrs. Gillian Pratt
Kindergarten Teacher
A very warm Bethany welcome to Mrs. Gillian Pratt, M.A., our new Kindergarten Teacher.
Gillian is a highly experienced professional with a background in teaching and administration, with a focus on early childhood development. In her 46 years in education, she has worked with children from birth through age 12 in a variety of settings, including Kindergarten. Mrs. Pratt understands the importance of nurturing young minds and providing children with a solid foundation for their future.
For the past 6 years, she has served as a resource coordinator for the YMCA, co-located at Chase Elementary School in Northside.
Gillian graduated from Diamond Oaks Technical and Career Development Center with a major in Childcare in 1979, and went on to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1996. She also holds a B.A in Social Science with a concentration in Education from Ashford University and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching and Learning with Technology.
In addition to her direct classroom experience, Mrs. Pratt has 17 years of experience as an Adjunct Instructor in the Early Childhood Department at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College,working closely with the Curriculum Development Team and serves on the Advisory Committee. She was also a part of the Advisory Committee for Diamond Oaks Early Childhood Department for 15 years.
A wife, mother, and grandmother, Gillian also leads Pratt Educational Services, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian organization that serves Greater Cincinnati and other areas in Ohio.
Mrs. Amber Vonderhaar
Kindergarten Aide
A very warm Bethany welcome to Mrs. Amber Vonderhaar, our new Kindergarten Aide.
A familiar face to many, Amber and her family have been a part of Bethany School for eight years. She has three children that attend, in 8th, 4th, and 2nd Grades.
Mrs. Vonderhaar has volunteered in a multitude of ways from room parent, chaperoning, working events, to then becoming a part of BEAP, where she has worn many hats, and continues to do so as Co-President of the BEAP Board.
Her family is engrained in Bethany School-the community and the culture. As well as working hard to ensure that as a family, as individual students, a Kindergarten Aide, and volunteers, that they hold its mission close.
She is excited and looks forward to embarking on this next chapter, aiding and supporting our amazing Kindergarten educators, assisting in the development and nurturing of our youngest Bluehawks of Bethany!
Mrs. Val Walker
1st Grade Teacher
A very warm Bethany welcome to Mrs. Val Walker, our new 1st Grade Teacher.
Mrs. Walker is certainly no stranger to Bethany School, as she did a tremendous job as a long-term substitute teacher for 2nd Grade at the end of last school year. Her life calling is in teaching, with her over 30 years of experience has taken on many forms: from infant development, administration, to preschool and elementary teaching.
She has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education specialization in advocating and public policies and is Orton Gillingham trained with a level one certificate from Hamilton County Educational Services. This school year Val will earn her certification as a Dyslexia Interventionist. All of these are part of her commitment to helping reduce anxiety and produce strategies to struggling readers.
Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Walker enjoys putting her advocacy skills to work as a board member for Cradle Cincinnati infant mortality, member of the IDA (International Dyslexia Association), National Society of Leadership and Success, and serving at Crossroads Community Church.
She and her husband Anton, who is an administrator for Finneytown Local School District, are the proud parents to their daughter Deja, an editing and media producer with the Playhouse in the Park, and she is a bonus mother to her son David, who is a youth advocate and home health provider.
Ms. Stephanie Kenneweg
2nd Grade Teacher
A very warm Bethany welcome to Ms. Stephanie Kenneweg, our new 2nd Grade Teacher.
She has spent over eight years teaching Kindergarten through 3rd Grade in private schools abroad, where Stephanie developed a strong foundation in early childhood education and a love for working with young learners. She holds a Master’s of Education degree and is also a certified 200-hour yoga instructor, which often brings a calming and mindful energy into her classroom. Most recently, Ms. Kenneweg has been working in the mental and behavioral health field with children and families, an experience that has deepened her understanding of social-emotional learning and the importance of supporting the whole child.
As a teacher, Stephanie values a balance of structure and play, and she strives to create a learning environment where students feel confident, curious, and connected. She believes that strong relationships are at the heart of great teaching, and enjoys getting to know each child’s unique personality, strengths, and learning style.
Outside of the classroom, Stephanie plays in a sand volleyball league, and enjoys traveling, hiking, and exploring different cultures.
Mrs. Larita Hayden
3rd Grade Teacher
A very warm Bethany welcome to Mrs. Larita Hayden, our new 3rd Grade Teacher!
She is joining us from Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, where she served as an intervention specialist and academic coach. Larita brings over ten years of experience in the classroom around our region, working with students from Cincinnati Public Schools, Central Montessori Academy, and St. Rita’s School for the Deaf. Her experience also includes work as a sign language interpreter for Lakota Local Schools.
Mrs. Hayden is very passionate about overcoming obstacles and barriers to learning for all young people, and her own personal educational journey deeply reflects this. She has an Associate’s Degree in Sign Language Interpretation from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Cincinnati Christian University in Biblical Studies, with a concentration in leadership and ministry, and very recently, earned her Master’s in Education from Xavier University in 2024.
She is very excited to begin her first year at Bethany, to see where students start the year, how they grow through the year, academically, socially, and emotionally. Larita is a deep believer in individualized education and providing intervention to students who need it at any level to reach their full potential.
Larita may be a familiar face to many of our Bethany families as she is a mother to a current student, Oliver-a rising 5th Grader, as well as a new alumna, Zoey, who just graduated with the Class of 2025 and will begin her freshman year at Roger Bacon High School this month. She and her husband Adam have been married for 17 years, and when she is not teaching enjoys reading, swimming, family travel, and hopes to take salsa dancing back up soon!
Please note her name is properly pronounced La-ree-ta.
Ms. Kim Cooper
5th Grade Teacher
A very warm Bethany welcome to Ms. Kim Cooper, our new 5th Grade Long Term Substitute Teacher.
Kimberly Cooper is a veteran educator who taught 5th grade at Bethany School for 19 years, typically specializing in reading, language arts, and social studies. She also had the privilege of traveling to Peru and England with Bethany students. Prior to Bethany, she taught 4th grade in Lakota Schools.
Long before becoming an elementary educator, Kim attended the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and earned a Bachelor of Music Performance degree in harp. She worked as one of the region’s premiere freelance harpists for over 25 years, while having day jobs in arts administration at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and in public relations at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.
She retired from full-time teaching in 2023 and now has a thriving piano teaching studio and works seasonally for the Hamilton County Board of Elections, training poll workers. She also occasionally substitute teaches!
In her spare time, she loves to travel, garden, read, walk, do puzzles of many types, binge watch way too much tv, read too much news, and attend concerts, plays, and lectures. Ms. Cooper is also the proud mother of two Bethany alums. And she’s a crazy cat lady (only 2 right now) and a lazy birder.
Mrs. Macy Morris
5th Grade Teacher
A very warm Bethany welcome to Mrs. Macy Morris, our new 5th Grade Teacher.
Mrs. Macy Morris brings a well-rounded background in education and student support to her teaching role, with experience spanning both public and charter school settings. She has worked closely with students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, serving as a school aide and licensed practical nurse before transitioning into the classroom.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and an active LPN license, Mrs. Morris approaches teaching with a strong commitment to the whole child philosophy—nurturing not just academic growth but also emotional and social development. Her diverse professional experience allows her to connect with students of all ages and needs, creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Mrs. Morris now lives in Cincinnati with her husband and their two beloved cats, Nox and Pebbles. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, working on puzzles, and cheering on her favorite baseball team.
Mrs. Darla Schlimm
Art Teacher
A very warm Bethany welcome to Mrs. Darla Schlimm, our new Art Teacher for students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade.
With over a decade of experience in education and more than 20 years as a professional visual artist, Mrs. Darla Schlimm brings a vibrant blend of creativity, leadership, and faith-driven purpose to the classroom. Her teaching philosophy centers on the belief that each child is uniquely created by God—with gifts to be nurtured through imagination, challenge, and meaningful connection.
Before joining Bethany, Mrs. Schlimm served as Department Coordinator and Teacher for both Visual Arts and Spanish at Heritage Academy, where she led and expanded programs for grades 1–12. She developed interdisciplinary curricula that emphasized cultural literacy, character development, and hands-on exploration. Her students created public murals, curated exhibitions, and led bilingual storytelling initiatives that fostered mentorship and community connection across grade levels.
She also served as LMS Administrator and Teacher Mentor, coaching faculty in curriculum design, student support strategies, data-informed instruction, collaborative planning, classroom management, and family communication. She integrates global art history, expressive storytelling, and material exploration into her curriculum—encouraging students to build creative confidence, academic growth, and real-world readiness.
Darla holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Northern Kentucky University, with minors in Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Latin American & Caribbean Studies. Her studies in leadership, developmental psychology, youth advocacy, and cross-cultural communication inform her inclusive, whole-child approach to education.
Mrs. Schlimm lives in the Cincinnati area with her husband of 17 years, their two high school seniors, and five beloved rescue dogs.
She believes that true learning stretches both the heart and mind—and that students thrive in classrooms built on excellence, empathy, and joyful discovery.
She is honored to serve at Bethany School and looks forward to helping students uncover their creative gifts and live out their purpose with confidence.
Mrs. Codi Cunningham
Food Service Coordinator
A very warm Bethany welcome to Mrs. Codi Cunningham, our new Food Service Coordinator.
Codi has over ten years of experience in the food service industry, working in a variety of catering businesses and commercial kitchens. No stranger to the Society of the Transfiguration, she was on staff for Food for the Soul from 2017 to 2021!
Mrs. Cunningham most recently was in food service management at the Children’s Learning Center at Bridgewater Church in Fairfield Township.
She is excited to be joining our Bethany community and helping to provide our students with healthy and nutritious meals every day.
A native of Fairfield, Codi and her husband Colin have a nine year old daugther named Mia and she loves to cook and bake in her own home kitchen. Her personal specialties are pasta dishes and soups, so hopefully we will get to taste them here at school!
Mrs. Victoria Lyons
Technology Teacher
A very warm Bethany welcome to Mrs. Victoria Lyons, our new Technology Innovation Specialist.
Victoria is honored to be a part of Bethany School this year as a Technical Innovation Specialist. She holds a Telecommunications degree from Bowling Green State University, as well as a Masters in Business from Tiffin University. She has been a Technology teacher for 3 years. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of working with students in Kindergarten-8th Grade, and is passionate about integrating technology to support student learning and preparing young people with the skills they need for an ever-changing digital world.
She believes technology education plays a vital role in equipping students to become responsible, innovative, and ethical digital citizens. By combining hands-on experiences with real-world applications, Mrs. Lyons aims to assist the Technology Department in creating an engaging learning environment that challenges and inspires students to reach their full potential. Outside of teaching, she enjoys 3D printing, and crocheting and values spending time with her husband and two sons. She looks forward to having an amazing year here at Bethany School!
Interested in working at Bethany School?
At Bethany School, our commitment to teaching children goes beyond the classroom. As a community, we help them build strong character and find their sense of purpose. We value respect and diversity and aim to create a joyful environment where play and discovery help cultivate a love for learning. Come see what makes Bethany School a truly special place to learn and grow.