At Wellington, our strength lies in the people who inspire and guide our students every day. This year, we are delighted to welcome new colleagues whose expertise, curiosity, and care will further enrich our learning community. They bring a range of experiences, from classrooms and performance halls to clinics and counseling offices, all grounded in a shared commitment to nurturing capable, confident learners. Please join us in welcoming the newest members of our faculty and staff.
Sarah Allen
Director of Business Development, The Wellington Initiative
Sarah Allen joins Wellington as Director of Business Development for The Wellington Initiative (TWI). With experience across elementary, middle, and high school settings, she brings a broad perspective on curriculum design, instructional leadership, and academic innovation.
Ms. Allen has served in key leadership roles, including Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Dean of Studies. She specializes in professional learning, strategic planning, and leveraging data to support student, teacher, and school growth. A frequent presenter at regional and national conferences, she has led sessions on data-informed leadership, project-based learning, and engaging instruction. Her work through TWI will help create high-impact learning environments at Wellington and beyond.
Learn more about The Wellington Initiative here.
Matthew Bardoe, upper school math
Mr. Bardoe comes to Wellington from Choate Rosemary Hall, where he led and taught in the math and computer science department and coached math and robotics teams. He holds a B.S. from The Ohio State University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Illinois Chicago. After years of teaching across the country, he is excited to share his expertise with Wellington students and return to his home state.
Kristin Barnett, lower school lead – grade 4
Ms. Barnett has spent nearly two decades helping third and fourth graders grow as learners. She holds a B.S. in psychology and an M.A. in education, and has taught in Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, and now Ohio. Her passion for the independent school experience drives her work in fostering strong classroom communities.
Anthony Constantino P ’38, middle school math
Mr. Constantino will teach 7th grade math and serve as a 7th grade advisor. He holds a B.S. in economics from Columbia University, an M.Ed. in mathematics education from City College of New York, and an M.Ed. in educational leadership from Brooklyn College. With nearly 20 years of classroom and leadership experience, he is eager to engage students in the challenge and joy of mathematics.
Dakota Elder-Thorn
Director of Performing Arts and Theatre Director
Dakota Elder-Thorn joins Wellington as Director of Performing Arts and Theatre. She brings a dynamic background in professional theatre and education, with nearly a decade of experience as a director, performer, designer, and teacher. Most recently, she taught 5th grade and vocal music for grades 3–8 at Clintonville Academy and remains an active company member of Available Light Theatre in Columbus.
Ms. Elder-Thorn holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and theatre/communications from Heidelberg University. Her collaborative, student-centered approach to the arts will help inspire creativity and confidence across Wellington’s performing arts program.
Allison Enchelmayer, middle and upper school vocal music director
Ms. Enchelmayer joins Wellington from McGary Middle School in Evansville, Indiana, where she taught choir and general music, doubled program enrollment in just two months, and reintroduced the 6th grade choir. She holds a B.M. in music education from the University of Evansville and has led choirs, prepared students for performances, and mentored young musicians in summer programs.
Alex Faber, school nurse
Ms. Faber is a registered nurse with more than 12 years of experience caring for patients and educating families. She holds a B.S. in nursing science from The Ohio State University, with a career spanning neonatal intensive care, outpatient clinics, global health work, and medical device training. She looks forward to supporting student well-being across the Wellington community.
Nicole Franks
Assistant Head of Early Childhood and Lower School
Nicole Franks joins Wellington as Assistant Head of Early Childhood and Lower School. She brings more than 20 years of experience in early childhood and lower school leadership, most recently at Laurel School in Shaker Heights, where she served as Director of Early Childhood and Associate Director for Kindergarten–Grade 2.
At Laurel, Ms. Franks led curriculum development, faculty growth, and initiatives focused on literacy, inclusion, and social-emotional learning. Her work reflects a deep commitment to student-centered learning and strong partnerships with families and educators — values that closely align with Wellington’s mission.
Tracy Gilbert, middle school counselor
Ms. Gilbert holds an M.A. in counselor education and a K–12 school counseling license from The Ohio State University, along with a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. For more than 20 years, she has worked alongside middle schoolers, leading programs like ROX (Ruling Our eXperiences) and stress management workshops that empower students to navigate challenges with confidence.
Latisha Humphries
Director of Community Engagement and Belonging
Latisha Humphries joins Wellington as Director of Community Engagement and Belonging. She brings a strong background in educational leadership, student-centered programming, and statewide school climate strategy. Most recently, she served at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, leading initiatives in student leadership, inclusive engagement, and restorative practices.
Ms. Humphries will support student programs across grade levels, from leadership development to service learning, while strengthening partnerships with families and building connections within the broader Columbus community. Her work reflects Wellington’s commitment to belonging, community, and purposeful engagement.
Mindy McCabe, early childhood learning guide – prekindergarten
Ms. McCabe joins prekindergarten as a learning guide with Ms. Hiller. She holds B.A.s in anthropology and political science from Hartwick College and has led preschool classrooms for several years, most recently teaching four-year-olds at a local preschool. She brings warmth, creativity, and curiosity to her work with our youngest learners.
Jon Meinhold P ’38, middle school math
Mr. Meinhold will teach 6th grade math and serve as a 6th grade advisor. He holds a B.A. from Bowling Green State University and completed his middle grades education licensure in math and science at Notre Dame College. He comes to Wellington from Laurel School in Shaker Heights, where he taught middle school math and science for eight years, and looks forward to guiding students through new problem-solving adventures.
Katie Nowack, lower school learning guide – grade 2
Ms. Nowack returns to Wellington as a second grade learning guide. She holds a B.A. in American history from Wright State University and an M.A. in history with a concentration in public history from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She previously taught at Wellington in 2021 and most recently worked in the museum field in Columbus. Her storytelling skills will bring history to life for students.
Dawna Rone, middle and upper school orchestra director
Ms. Rone is an educator and performer with more than 25 years of experience sharing her love of music. She holds a post-baccalaureate licensure in music education from The Ohio State University, a master of music in viola performance from the University of Cincinnati, and a B.M. in violin performance from Ohio State. She is eager to inspire Wellington musicians to explore, perform, and grow.
Gayla Roush P ’30 ’35, lower school learning guide – grade 1
Mrs. Roush holds a B.S. in human and developmental science from the University of Missouri and an M.Ed. in elementary education from Rockhurst University. She has years of experience teaching young children and will support first grade students in reading, math, and daily learning activities, building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Dr. Nick Williams
Director of Athletics and Physical Education
Dr. Nick Williams joins Wellington as Director of Athletics and Physical Education. He brings experience across all divisions as an athletic administrator, student programming coordinator, coach, and physical education teacher. Most recently, he worked in student life at Vanderbilt University, where he earned a doctorate in leadership with a focus on student-athlete belonging and success.
A former Division I track and field athlete, Dr. Williams is passionate about the lifelong impact of physical education. His return to Wellington, where he was once a prekindergarten student, marks a full-circle moment and a strong step forward for the school’s Little Jags–grade 12 athletics program.