Our team is made up of dedicated, caring and compassionate teachers and staff who are all licensed and trained in best practices for a substance-impacted learner. At Hope Academy, our small class sizes allow each student to receive one-on-one instruction as needed. We are committed to supporting our students and their families throughout the recovery process.
Administration
Rachelle Gardner
Executive Director
Deb Leser
Director of Curriculum and Instruction/Guidance
Amber Jett
Director of Outreach
Linda Gagyi
Director of Special Projects
Jon Shapiro
Director of Fundraising and Donor Relations
Kristen Gray
Director of Operations
Luz Moreno
Administrative Assistant
Teaching Staff
Jalaya Dowell
Special Education Teacher
James Hendricks
Math Teacher
Elisabeth Sharber
English Teacher
Gianna Dowell
Art Teacher
Recovery Staff
Janie Klank
School Nurse
Sam Scheib
Recovery Coach
Josh Johnson
Peer Recovery Specialist
Erin Flick
Therapist
Aleesha Bullock
Director of Student Recovery Services
Johnna Belkiewitz
Occupational Therapist
Board of Directors
Hope Academy is governed by an active school board of community leaders with diverse backgrounds.
One of the school’s founders, Rachelle Gardner began her career as an addictions counselor, and is now the executive director of Hope Academy. She previously served as director of adolescent services atFairbanks Recovery Center and as the board chair for theAssociation of Recovery Schools. Rachelle holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from Indiana University, and a master’s degree in organizational management. She is also a licensed clinical addiction counselor in Indiana. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she is passionate about helping adolescents affected by drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.
Deb Leser
Director of Curriculum and Instruction/Guidance
Email: dleser@hopeacademyrhs.org
Mrs. Leser’s goal is to ensure that all students are Career and College ready before graduation. She helps students determine what classes they need in order to keep students on track for graduation. She coordinates special education services and is a member of the new student interview team. Mrs. Leser provides help with FAFSA, college and scholarship applications, and assists students in meet testing and submission deadlines. She coordinates all the state required testing.
Mrs. Leser earned a Bachelor of Science in Science Education with her teacher certification in Chemistry and Biology at Ball State University. She has a Masters degree from Butler University’s CACREP Accredited School Counseling Program, an Administrator’s Certification from IUPUI and an ED.S. from Indiana University. In addition, she recently completed an Associates Degree in Cybersecurity at Ivy Tech Community College.
Linda Gagyi grew up in the Chicago area, attended Eastern Illinois University and graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in education. She earned a master’s degree in education and an administrator’s license from Indiana Wesleyan University. Linda has been an educator for over 30 years, having served as a math, science and technology teacher as well as a building-level administrator. Linda and her husband have two sons, Steven and Christopher, and one grandson.
Jon grew up in New York City and has called Indy home for the past 11 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service Management from Empire State College and has spent his career, over 25 years, working in a variety of youth focused nonprofit organizations. Jon has a personal connection to and is passionate about the journey of recovery. He enjoys biking, exercising and spending time with his wife & teenage son.
Originally from Indianapolis, Kristen obtained her title insurance license in 2006 and worked as an escrow officer for more than ten years.
Kristen has a personal connection to recovery and has known about Hope Academy for many years. She’s ready to put her organizational and operations skills to good use at Hope.
Kristen loves reading, traveling, boating and working on DIY projects. Kristen also enjoys spending time with her family, especially her teenage daughter.
Elisabeth Sharber joined the Hope Academy team as an English teacher in February 2022. She attended Messiah College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing. She holds minors in political science and psychology.
As an English teacher, she works with students in English class, Etymology, Composition, Creative Writing and Poetry. She also develops curriculum and works to build positive relationships with students and families alike.
Before coming to Hope Academy, she worked at Frankfort High School in Franklin, Indiana and at Crossland Hills High School in Temple Hills, Maryland.
Elisabeth was inspired to join the Hope Academy team because of their attention to student-centered learning and development.
“Hope has a unique understanding of trauma and the whole self. Hope understands the importance of social emotional learning. In addition, Hope values teamwork and progress.”
She hopes her students feel empowered to lean into the power of words, writing and communication. She urges them to use these tools with purpose. She also hopes to model self efficacy and resiliency in light of difficult moments.
When she isn’t with her students, you can find her writing poetry and blogs, hiking, and spending time around trees and rivers. She is often deep in thought but she loves to laugh and joke around.
Gianna was initially drawn to Hope Academy because of its small community surrounded by people and students who are authentic as they overcome the obstacles they are facing. She has enjoyed getting to know her students and admires that they aren’t afraid to be real and open.
Gianna shared, “I like working in intimate settings with youth where I can help them learn but also help them be aware of their own emotions, thoughts and feelings while expressing it through art to help them take control of their life in an abstract way.”
Art is such an amazing outlet to be expressive, creative and vulnerable. This is Gianna’s hope for her students: “That they learn how to healthily cope with any issues they are having, learn how to be openly empathetic and find a passion in art they didn’t even know was there.”
Gianna is originally from Evansville and now living in Indianapolis. She double majored in Art History and Studio Art. Previously, Gianna worked as a freelance artist and for Amazon. Some of her hobbies include writing music, art commissions and watching anime.
Her favorite quote is “everything always happens for a reason.” We are sure glad that Gianna is at Hope Academy inspiring our students to express their creativity.
Aleesha grew up in Indianapolis, IN. She attended Trine University for undergrad and graduated with a bachelor’s in science and a minor in criminal justice. She also earned a master’s degree in social work from Indiana University Purdue University.
Aleesha has been working in this field since 2012, having served as a program coordinator, adolescent and young adult guidance specialist, intern, and addictions counselor. She has been working with individuals who struggle with addiction and their families since 2015.
