2025 Niche Best Schools

Our Faculty & Staff

Our faculty and staff work together to inspire academic excellence and to challenge our students to achieve more than they dream possible!

Check out this video that shares our parent and staff perspectives about learning at Inspire. It was created by our partners from Education One at Trine University.

Staff Bios and Photos

Click on a photo to learn about our staff, teachers and administrators

Administration & Administrative Support

Ms. Leslie Draper

Executive Director
Ms. Draper inspires those around her to achieve high standards and work toward a common mission

Education
Master’s Degree in Education Administration

Certifications
Professional Educator’s License in English Language Arts for 5th-12th Grade and in Building Level Administration for PK-12

Additional Certifications
• Trauma and Crisis Management Specialist
• Charter School Leadership
• Trainer of nonviolent crisis intervention

Mr. Bryan Hair

Principal
Mr. Bryan is committed to fostering a student-centered environment at Inspire

Education
• Bachelor's Degrees in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Early Childhood Education
• Master's Degree in K-12 Building Leadership

Experience
Assistant Principal, Behavioral Specialist, and Special Eduction Coordinator

Ms. Ana Maric

Financial Manager
Ms. Maric focuses on strategic planning and finances to support Inspire's goal of producing curious and adventurous learners

Education
• Bachelor's Degree from Ball State University
• Master's Degree in Business Administration, concentration in Finance, from Purdue University Global

Experience
Healthcare Finance

Mr. Harry Pickett

Dean of Family & Student Affairs
Mr. Pickett shares his love of sports and being physically active with students as coach of every sport. He has been with Inspire for ten years.

Education
Bachelors in Education with a focus in mathematics

Experience
• TA
• Volleyball, Boys/Girls basketball, and Track Coach
• Taught 3rd through 5th grade
• Middle school math
• Math Specialist
• PE and Art teacher

Ms. Holly Solomon

Onboarding and Inventory Specialist

Ms. Laila Person

Receptionist

Instruction & Instructional Support

Mr. Thomas Draper

8th Grade Crew Leader

Ms. Misty White

4th Grade Crew Leader

Ms. White enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her husband and 2 children.

Education
Dual Master's Degrees in Management & Leadership and Curriculum Instruction, WGU

Experience
Afterschool Teacher, Inspire's I ASK Tutoring Program

Ms. Fabiola Lesperance

7th Grade Crew Leader

Ms. Lesperance leads with compassion, joy, empathy, and love, allowing a safe atmosphere for students to learn

Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Human Services, Metropolitan College of New York
• Masters in Science Education Adolescent, Long Island University

Experience
• Certified Professional Coach (CPC)
• Special Education/Behavior Teacher, NYOS Charter School, Austin TX
• Special Education Teacher, New Heights Academy Charter School

Ms. Sarah Helber

3rd Grade Crew Leader

Ms. Helber is a sports enthusiast and loves to go on adventures with her husband, two boys, and family dog

Education
• Bachelor's Degree in Christian Ministries & Elementary Education, Anderson University
• Master's Degree in Special Education from Ball State University

Experience
Working with students who have dyslexia

Ms. Megan Byard

6th Grade Crew Leader

Ms. Byard received a fellowship at the Indiana Writing Project’s Invitational Summer Institute and presented at the Indiana Teachers of Writing Conference in 2024. .

Education
Ball State University/ Bachelor of Arts in English, Graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors; Spanish minor

Experience
• High School English Teacher, Delcom Schools
• Middle and High School English Teacher, Jay School Corporation

Ms. Candice Griffin

2nd Grade Crew Leader

Ms.Griffin is an educator with experience advocating for children and families.

Education
• MA Social Work, Grand Canyon University 2024- current
• MA in Special Education, Grand Canyon University
• BA in Family Studies, Miami University

Experience
• Adoption Recruiter, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids
• University Counselor, Grand Canyon University
• Intervention Specialist- Social Communications/ MD Room
• Early Head Start Home Visitor

Ms. Yvonne Malone

5th Grade Crew Leader

Ms. Malone is enthusiastic about providing quality instruction and fostering a positive learning environment for all students.

Education
• Ball State University
• Bachelor of Science, Elementary Ed

Experience
• Classroom teacher
• Reading interventionist
• Tutor

Ms. Shameka Gordon

1st Grade Crew Leader

Inspire families and students love working with Ms. Shameka

Education
Currently studying Special Education, Mild to Moderate, WGU

Experience
Director of Nutrition, Inspire

Awards
2023 Inspiring Educator Award

Ms. Alicia Jackson

Kindergarten Crew Leader

Ms. Jackson was born and raised in Honduras. She enjoys reading, gardening, music and spending quality time with her family

Education
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from UNAH (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras)

Experience
Kindergarten Teacher, Inspire

Ms. Connie Criswell

PreK Crew Leader

Ms. Criswell loves to have her preschool spend time outdoors getting their hands dirty and exploring. She also assists with the theater program and is the school's Family Events Coordinator

Experience
Preschool Teacher, Henry Country YMCA, beginning in 2004

Ms. Jerika Clemons

Literacy Coach

Ms. Clemens loves to travel and hopes to visit every AZA accredited zoo in America

Education

Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Ball State with concentrations in Reading and State/Worldwide Connections

Awards
2022 Inspiring Educator Award

Ms. Amy Friedeberg

Reading Interventionist

Ms. Friedeberg enjoys traveling to northern Michigan to go camping & kayaking

Education
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Michigan State
• Teaching program from St. Petersburg College in Florida

Experience
Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Yolanda Lloyd

Curriculum Coach and Testing Coordinator

Education
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration & Master's in Early Childhood Education, Trinity University

Experience
• Reading Interventionist, Inspire
• Library/Extended Learning Center, Yorktown High School

Awards
2023 TRINEness Award & Inspiring Educator

Ms. Brittany Fancher

Building Substitue

Ms. Fancher brings her passion for helping children in crisis to her position at Inspire Academy

Education
Bachelor's degree in Social Work
Indiana University-East, Richmond, IN

Certifications
Credentialed Sexually Abusive Youth Professional, CCSAYP

Experience
• Family services case manager
• Care Coordinator/Skills Instructor

Disability Services

Ms. Heidi Elliott

Teacher of Record

Ms. Elliott is passionate about teaching students to read and enjoys spending her free time with her husband and their four daughters

Education
Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, Indiana Wesleyan University

Certifications
Trained in the Wilson Reading Program

Mr. Michael Cowherd

Teacher of Record

Mr. Cowherd is affectionately know as Mr. Max. His journey as a reading specialist began as he watched his own children's reading skills develop

Experience
• Title 1 Reading Interventionist and Literacy Coordinator for Inspire
• Worked for the State of Indiana advocating for adults with physical and intellectual/developmental disabilities

Ms. Allannah Turner

Direct Service Provider

Ms. Turner is a Music Director and Assistant Director, as well as an actor, at Muncie Civic Theater

Experience
Special Education Instructional Aide since 2020

Ms. Kristin Wiggins

Direct Service Provider

Ms. Wiggins is a proven educator with expertise in child development communication, and teamwork.

Education
• Master of Science, Special Education, Ball State
• Bachelor of Science, Secondary English Education, Ball State

Experience
• Registered Behavioral Technician
• Home Health Aid

Certifications
Registered Behavioral Technician Certification

Ms. Angela Autry

Speech Pathologist

Ms.Autry is big sports fan (Go Cubs!) and loves cheering on her son in baseball, basketball, and soccer. She loves traveling to Florida with my husband and our two boys.

Education
• Bachelor's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State University
• Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Indiana University

Experience
12 years as a school based Speech-Language Pathologist

2801 E. 16th St.

Muncie, IN 47302

Phone: 765-216-7980

Fax: 765-216-7798

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024