Our Teaching Team is composed of teachers at Goshen High School and North College Hill High School along with Graduate Assistants from the University of Cincinnati who support classroom instruction.
Michael Kolkmeier, Goshen HS YBC Teacher, has been in education for 5 years teaching anatomy and physiology as well as teaching science in Goshen High School’s Ascend Academy. Teaching is his second career. Connecting with students through science brings me true joy and fulfillment.
He found his teaching philosophy in helping students of every walk of life and abilities achieve difficult things, whether that be the content or the soft skill lessons they need before entering higher education or the workforce. He is passionate about students finding their voice and themselves through learning. Providing the support, coaching, and tools students need to lead themselves intrinsically their way, is a guiding principle to how he structures his classroom.
He has a love of science and is constantly amazed and humbled by the complexity of life. When he teaches, he hopes to instill this awe of the natural world into his students so that one day they can go out and answer a question no one else has asked.
He is excited for Youth Built Change because education is evolving. Students are more strapped for time than ever before. They have so much being asked of them from everyone around them, and pursuing goals that are usually not 100% their own. Youth Built Change is a great opportunity for students to engage in complex collaborative work that shows them they have the skills and ability to achieve greatness.
FUN FACT: I am an avid scuba diver and practice Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Franklin Keith Spangler, North College Hill HS YBC Teacher, has 28 years of teaching experience. He currently teaches CCP Psychology, Government, and CCP Educational Psychology. He is the Social Studies Department Head at NCH High School. He holds an MS in Psychology and will graduate soon with a second degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. He is excited about helping students make a significant and meaningful change in the community and in their own lives.
FUN FACT: My favorite food is Cajun. I have directed over 50 plays and musicals. In my free time I like to read and ride motorcycles.
TraciAmanda Washington, YBC Graduate Assistant, is a middle school math teacher by trade, she has been teaching and leading in schools for more than 20 years in cities including Washington, D.C, Newark, NJ, New York City, New Orleans, LA, and most recently – Cincinnati, OH. Currently, she is a PhD student at the University of Cincinnati and an adjunct instructor in the Foundations of Education course program. She is excited to work with high school students – they have the power and passion to make change happen.
FUN FACT: I love to travel, but there’s one place I love more than anywhere else – New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s “home” for me. When I can’t be home, I love to be outside (when it’s warm) doing…anything. Skating, biking, fishing, swimming, yoga-ing.
Meredith Hughes, YBC Graduate Assistant, has experience teaching Composition and Tutoring for the ACT/SAT. She is passionate about the intersections of literacy and mental health and works to find creative avenues to explore the possibilities of both. In Youth Built Change, she looks forward to assisting students in their own literacy journeys.
FUN FACT: I am a certified crazy cat lady! My cats and dog are the lights of my life, and I send out a themed, posed holiday card of them each year.
Nick Shaver, Ph.D., Project Coordinator, was a former Graduate Assistant for the previous iteration of this grant. Additionally, he has been a math educator for many years both at Cincinnati Public Schools and Cincinnati State. He appreciates working with students struggling with math and help them learn math through seeing how it can help them understand the world around them.
FUN FACT: I enjoy being active with rock climbing and ultimate frisbee!