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
Susan Sparks
STARR Teacher
Taylor Carroll
Social Studies Teacher
Rachel Jones
Science Teacher
Jalaya Dowell
Special Education Teacher
James Hendricks
Math Teacher
Elisabeth Sharber
English Teacher
Gianna Dowell
Art Teacher
Recovery Staff
Mindy Miller
Director of Family Engagement
Joe Lawson
Peer Recovery Specialist
Monica Nickson
Family Engagement Specialist
Rebekah Gorrell
Recovery Coach
Janie Klank
School Nurse
Josh Johnson
Peer Recovery Specialist
Erin Flick
Therapist
Aleesha Bullock
Director of Student Recovery Services
Board of Directors
Hope Academy is governed by an active school board of community leaders with diverse backgrounds.
For over two decades, Rachelle Gardner has led Hope Academy with purpose and compassion, helping establish Indiana’s only recovery high school and one the first accredited recovery high schools in the nation. Since its founding in 2006, Hope Academy has served more than 800 students—providing a tuition-free education and daily recovery support for teens with substance use disorder.
Rachelle began her career at Fairbanks Recovery Center, where she identified a critical gap in the continuum of care: students leaving treatment often struggled to maintain sobriety in traditional school settings. Her response was innovative and enduring—creating a new educational model that integrates academic and recovery support within a public charter school environment. Under her leadership, Hope Academy continues to set a national standard in recovery education, achieving strong attendance, graduation, and post-secondary outcomes while serving students with complex needs. Rachelle also contributes to the field nationally as a former board chair and current advisor to the Association of Recovery Schools, mentoring new school founders across the country.
Rachelle has received several awards for her compassion, advocacy, and leadership with the most recent being the 2025 Women of Influence Award from the Indianapolis Business Journal.
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.
Mindy Miller brings more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health and addiction recovery to the role. Most recently, Mindy served as Clinical Director of Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health Acute and Recovery Services, where she worked across multiple levels of care and served adolescents, adults, and families affected by substance use and mental health challenges.
A Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor (LCAC), Mindy holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Indianapolis, an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University, and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and art from Marian University.
For Mindy, joining Hope Academy feels like a natural extension of the work she has dedicated her career to.
“Working with youth and families has always been my passion and where my heart is,” she said. “I am grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to do so again. I know the great work that Hope Academy does and am excited to be part of the team.”
Mindy said she was drawn to Hope Academy because of its mission and commitment to students.
“What drew me to Hope was the mission and commitment to the students,” she said. “Hope has been dedicated to helping youth suffering from substance use disorder for 20 years and has impacted countless lives.”
As she builds the Family Engagement Program, Mindy hopes families will feel supported throughout their journey.
“I hope that families will know they are not alone in this journey,” she said. “The Family Program is there to support them.”
Outside of work, Mindy enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Much of her time is spent supporting her children’s activities, including football, golf, and volleyball. She also enjoys gardening, tending a large vegetable garden, and spending time in her flower beds.
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.
