GOAL Digital Academy Welcomes New Educators for the 2025-2026 School Year!

GOAL Digital Academy is excited to announce the addition of seven talented educators to its full-time staff for the 2025-2026 School Year! Each new team member brings unique skills, experiences, and passions that will enrich GOAL’s mission of providing personalized, innovative learning opportunities for students across the district. 

“Our new educators embody GOAL’s vision of supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Tish Jenkins, Superintendent of GOAL. “We are thrilled to welcome them to our team and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our school culture and community.” 

Meet The New Staff: 

Amanda Waggoner, Director of K-8 and Assistant Principal

Amanda joins GOAL as a Director of K-8 and Assistant Principal serving the Delaware Learning Lab. With 18 years of experience in education, she has taught kindergarten, first and third grades, and has also served as a mentor for new teachers and student teachers. Inspired by her fifth-grade teacher, Amanda is passionate about making students feel valued, ensuring their voice is heard, and fostering strong family partnerships. An Ohio State graduate and dedicated Buckeye fan, she enjoys traveling, home decorating, baking, and cheering on her son at football games. 

Jason Calder, Assistant Principal

Jason joins the GOAL team serving as Assistant Principal of the Galion Learning Lab, inspired by his high school social studies teacher, who modeled the power of building strong, meaningful relationships with students and families. Before entering education, Jason worked in fast food, factories and spent over a decade as a truck driver, experiences that shaped his philosophy of helping students gain practical, real-world skills to achieve their goals. Outside of work, Jason and his wife enjoy traveling, visiting 48 states and more than 20 countries, with Scotland topping his list of favorites! 

Dr. Michael Falgout, English Language Arts Teacher

Michael joins GOAL as an English Language Arts teacher, inspired by the many educators who shaped his own life. He is passionate about helping students not only master new concepts but also understand the real-world value of what they are learning. Michael recently completed a dissertation on the intersection of cognitive linguistics and the ethical reading of narratives, reflecting his deep interest in the science of reading and language learning. In his free time, he enjoys chess, birding, hiking, and exploring outdoors. 

Rachel Hawerlander, Intervention Specialist

Rachel joins the GOAL Special Education team as an Intervention Specialist. She knew she wanted to be a teacher since 4th grade, inspired by her teacher, who encouraged responsibility and a love for lifelong learning. With experience teaching in both Ohio and Kansas, Rachel has worked with preschool through high school students as a classroom teacher, special educator, and tutor. She believes in meeting students where they are, showing kindness, and always striving to “sparkle out” by doing your best. A proud graduate of both Ohio State and Ohio University, Rachel enjoys gardening, baking, reading, and traveling. 

Carrie Clay, Intervention Specialist

Carrie joins GOAL as an Intervention Specialist who discovered her passion for education in high school while tutoring elementary students, sparking a lifelong love of learning and teaching. With a strong background in Special Education and experience across a variety of classroom settings, she believes that every student can succeed through teamwork and giving their best effort. Outside of GOAL, Carrie shares her talents as a dance teacher at the Delaware Arts Castle. 

Katherine Batten, Middle School Science Teacher

Katherine joins the team as a middle school Science teacher with twenty years of experience in education. A self-proclaimed “science geek”, she loves sharing her passion for the subject and brings expertise and enthusiasm to her role while building meaningful relationships with students and their families. Katherine’s background includes pre-veterinary medicine, massage therapy instruction, and training as a Reiki Master, experiences that shape her calm, authentic, and student-centered teaching style. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys horseback riding, cycling through the countryside, and motorcycle rides with her husband. 

Meredith Snow, Speech Language Pathologist

Meredith joins GOAL as a Speech Language Pathologist, dedicated to helping students strengthen communication skills in areas such as articulation, language, and social interaction. She takes a child and family-centered approach, ensuring each student’s goals meet their immediate needs while preparing them for the future. Outside of work, Meredith enjoys spending time with her son, family, and friends, as well as staying active with walking, biking, and playing pickleball. 

Garrett Quickle, Accounts Payable

After starting his career in the public and private accounting sectors, Garrett discovered his passion for educational finance and is now approaching his second year in the field. He enjoys the process-oriented nature of accounts payable, as well as the variety that comes with new projects and vendors. Garrett brings valuable experience from his work at Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, where he learned different approaches to financial processes that he now applies to strengthen and improve practices at GOAL. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors, golfing in the summer, and hunting in the winter. 

Each of these new staff members will play a vital role in strengthening GOAL’s innovative programs, supporting student growth, and continuing GOAL’s tradition of excellence in online learning. 

For more information about GOAL Digital Academy, please visit www.goaldigital.org