TGA Staff Directory
Meet Our Tindley Genesis Academy Team
At Tindley Genesis Academy, our staff is dedicated to fostering a rigorous and creative learning environment for every scholar from Kindergarten through 6th grade. By blending academic excellence with music and the arts, our passionate educators and committed support staff inspire achievement, encourage curiosity, and nurture a lifelong love of learning. Here, you’ll find contact information and profiles of the teachers, administrators, and staff who make a difference every day in our students’ lives.
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Profile:
Mrs. Brown is a mother of four with over 22 years of experience working with children. She enjoys reading, fishing, gardening, camping, and traveling. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in gratitude and growth: appreciating what we have while always striving for more. Mrs. Brown is passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment for her kindergarten scholars.
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 Mrs. Tammy Heady
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Profile:
My husband and I have been married for 23 years and have two amazing children. Our daughter, Schuyla, is 29 and a proud, loving mom to our two grandchildren, Addie and Greyson. Our son, Garrett, is 18 and will soon begin his journey at The Hobart Institute of Welding. I earned my master’s degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University and am passionate about helping young learners reach their full potential.
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Miss Brown is a south side Indianapolis native with a passion for early education. She holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Marian University. Outside the classroom, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. Miss Brown is excited to support her kindergarten scholars as they grow, learn, and thrive this school year.
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Profile:
Ms. Sidney Owens has been part of Tindley Genesis Academy for five years and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education. In addition to teaching, she has served as Cheerleading Coach for the past four years. Her goal is to create a safe, inclusive classroom where every scholar feels valued and supported.
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 Ms. Alissa Dierks
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Profile:
Hi! I’m Ms. Dierks, originally from the Chicago area and a proud graduate of DePauw University. I began my teaching journey through Teach for America in Denver, CO, where I taught for three years. I recently moved back to Indianapolis to be closer to family and friends and am excited to continue my teaching career at Tindley Genesis. Outside the classroom, I enjoy being outdoors—whether it’s going to concerts, catching a game, or simply going for a walk.
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Profile:
Hi! My name is Mrs. Russell, and I’ll be teaching 1st Grade this year. This is my second year at Tindley, and I’m so excited to be back! I’ve always enjoyed being in a school environment where I can learn and grow alongside my students. I have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Graphic Arts, and I transitioned into teaching just last year. It’s been such a fun and rewarding journey. I love working at Tindley and being a positive role model for our scholars every day.
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 Mrs. Tonya Gamble-Daoust
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Profile:
Mrs. Gamble-Daoust is one of our dedicated second-grade teachers and has been a valued member of the Tindley family since 2016. She has two children—her son is in college and her daughter is in high school. Outside the classroom, she enjoys attending church, traveling, and seeking out beautiful waterfalls and rainbows.
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 Mrs. Stefanie Ross
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Profile:
Mrs. Ross is a 2nd-grade teacher at Tindley Genesis Academy with experience in education dating back to 2010. She has served as both a teacher and instructional assistant and is now in her second year at Tindley. Mrs. Ross is a mom of three and has three dogs at home. She brings warmth, patience, and dedication to her classroom every day.
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Profile:
Mr. Nyen is a first-year 2nd grade teacher at Tindley Genesis Academy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Prior to teaching, he served in the U.S. Army for seven years, with assignments in South Korea and Washington state. Outside the classroom, Mr. Nyen enjoys watching sports and spending time with friends.
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 Mrs. Laci Gentry
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I have been teaching and working with children for five years. I attended Anderson University and am currently completing my B.A. in Elementary Education at WGU. I am happily married and the proud parent of one daughter. I have a deep love for education and strive to share my joy and positivity with every student I meet.
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 Ms. Mattie-Catherine Mote
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Profile:
My name is Mattie-Catherine Mote. I graduated from Indiana University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a concentration in STEM. This is my sixth year at Tindley Genesis Academy. I taught sixth and second grade before moving to third last year. I have loved my time here and am very proud to be part of the Tindley family!
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Mrs. Caitlin Smith is entering her tenth year of teaching and second year at TGA. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Ball State University, with a reading license and a minor in Spanish. While in Texas, she earned an ESL certification and trained in the Science of Teaching Reading. She’s passionate about teaching kindness, helping students reach their potential, and building strong family partnerships. Outside the classroom, she enjoys time with her family.
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 Mr. Jeff Graves
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Profile:
I am passionate about creating a classroom where every student feels valued, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential. My teaching blends strong academics with curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for learning. I connect lessons to real-world experiences and encourage teamwork, celebrating successes and learning from mistakes while always striving for our best.
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Profile:
Originally from Anderson, SC, I moved to Indianapolis, IN in 2017 when my teaching career started. I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. I have been at Tindley Genesis Academy for four years now and am happily married with a one-year-old son. I am currently teaching Fourth Grade ELA and Writing after having been the MLL TOR for the past three years.
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Profile:
Ms. Manalo brings six years of teaching experience to Tindley, having taught Kindergarten, 4th, and 5th grade. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Guam and plans to begin her master’s studies this year. Passionate about hands-on, engaging science instruction, Ms. Manalo aims to spark curiosity and a love for learning in every student.Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her two sons and partner, exploring new cuisines, traveling, cooking, and staying active at the gym.
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 Mr. Charles Porter
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Profile:
Mr. Porter, 5th Grade Math Teacher, holds degrees in Mathematics from Butler University and Computer Engineering from IUPUI. He has over 15 years of experience teaching and tutoring math at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. A proud dad to Meliya (8th grade) and Marriana (5th grade), he loves golfing and taking his girls to Kings Island to ride rollercoasters.
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 Mr. Jim Helsley
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Profile:
Hi! I’m Jim Helsley, and I’m excited to join the Tindley community as a 5th Grade ELA teacher. I’ve been teaching for 23 years and hold a Master’s degree from Ball State. I’m passionate about creating a supportive, engaging classroom where students grow in confidence, think critically, and love learning. Outside of school, I enjoy sports, barbeque, and time with my family. I’m looking forward to a great year!
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Profile:
Hi, I’m Madeleine Harold, and I teach 5th Grade Social Studies. I’m passionate about bringing history to life in the classroom and helping students connect with the past in meaningful ways. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Military History and am currently pursuing a master’s in Public History. Outside of school, I enjoy horseback riding, singing, dancing, and playing tabletop games.
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 Ms. Morgan Skiles
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Profile:
Ms. Morgan Skiles is a first-year ELA teacher at TGA. She holds a B.A. in Fine Arts and is currently pursuing her Master’s in the Art of Teaching at Marian University. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, spending time with her two dogs, and volunteering with adults with intellectual disabilities.
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 Ms. Robyn Treeter
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Profile:
Meet Ms. Treeter, K–2 Literacy Coach at TGA. Now in her 29th year in education, she holds a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and IUPUI and is earning her Literacy Endorsement. She has taught first and second grade in IPS, as well as second grade at Tindley Renaissance and Tindley Genesis. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially her grandson, and is passionate about helping every child reach their full potential.
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 Ms. Laura Hutson
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Profile:
Hello, my name is Laura Hutson, and I am the Writing Coach for grades 3–6 at Tindley Genesis. I joined Tindley in 2018 as a fourth-grade teacher, later teaching third grade before moving into my current role in 2021. Before Tindley, I spent 31 years in Indianapolis Public Schools, teaching first, second, third, and Montessori 2/3. I believe writing is a powerful tool for communication and strive to inspire a love of writing in both educators and scholars.
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 Ms. Jillian Roth
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Ms. Roth is a passionate first-year teacher dedicated to helping students grow, learn, and explore the world. She strives to create a supportive and engaging classroom where every student can succeed. Music has always been her safe space, and she hopes to share that same sense of joy and comfort with her students.
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Profile:
Mr. Jones earned a BFA in Glass with a minor in Metals from the Cleveland Institute of Art and has worked with national and international artists for more than 30 years. His work is featured in private collections, and he is recognized as the first to create a functional glass djembe drum. Outside of school, he enjoys racing with the Sports Car Club of America, playing drums, and spending time with his wife, Laura, and their dog, Kat.
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Profile:
Coach Barnes has nine years of experience at Tindley Genesis Academy, serving as an Instructional Assistant, math teacher, and now Physical Education instructor. He has guided teams to undefeated seasons and championships, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and personal growth. With a broad sports background and recognition, including the Black Excellence Award and Novice Teacher of the Year, he is committed to building a positive school culture and inspiring excellence on and off the court.
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 Ms. Crystal Jackson
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Profile:
B.A., University of Indianapolis | M.Ed., Western Governors University
I teach because every child deserves to feel capable, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. As a special education teacher, I’m passionate about helping students discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and build confidence—in the classroom and beyond.
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Dr. Deb Daniels holds a B.S. in Management – Human Resources with a minor in English and an M.S. in Education – Curriculum Development, both from Purdue University. She recently completed her Doctorate in Education with a focus on Leadership from the University of Phoenix.
Her career spans education, juvenile justice, and social services, with experience in roles such as Youth Services Officer, Substitute Teacher, Program Director, and In-School Suspension Specialist. She has also led adult education programs and served as a director for a national dropout prevention initiative. With a passion for lifelong learning, Dr. Daniels brings a holistic and student-centered perspective to her work in education.
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Profile:
Ms. Jennifer Craft is excited to serve as a Special Education Paraprofessional at Tindley. She brings experience from her time in the U.S. Army as a cable wire installer and many years working with children and adults with developmental delays, as well as in patient care. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her three children and four grandchildren, traveling, and cheering on her youngest at soccer. She looks forward to supporting scholars each day and helping them reach their full potential.
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Profile:
Ms. Anne Humphrey is in her 14th year of teaching and her 8th year at Tindley Genesis Academy. This year, she is stepping into a new role supporting Multilingual Language Learners (MLL). Anne has previously taught Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from IUPUI, with a dual license in English as a Second Language. Anne loves teaching, laughing, and learning, and looks forward to helping all scholars grow and thrive. |
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Ms. Samantha King serves as the Social Worker at Tindley Genesis Academy. With more than 15 years of experience in the social services field, she has worked with Damar Residential Services, the Department of Child Services, and other agencies. She earned her master’s degree in psychology from Grand Canyon University and is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Education and Leadership. Samantha is passionate about supporting students and families while fostering strong community connections.
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Profile:
Ms. Starks serves as the Dean of Culture and Climate at Tindley Genesis Academy. She brings seven years of experience in education, five with Tindley Accelerated Schools and two with Indianapolis Public Schools. With a strong focus on student success and school culture, Ms. Starks is dedicated to creating a positive, structured, and inclusive environment for both students and staff.
She holds an MBA in Human Resources, with expertise in leadership development, organizational culture, and relationship-building. Outside of her professional role, she is most proud of being a mother to her son, Matthew, a 26-year-old flight attendant based in Charlotte. |
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 Mr. Aaron Book
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Mr. Book joined Tindley in 2019 and has served as Assistant Principal at Tindley Genesis Academy since 2022. Mr. Book enjoys spending time with his family and his dog. He loves traveling to new places and experiencing new cultures, people, and food. Mr. Book looks forward to working with the students and families of Tindley.
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 Ms. Allison Ennis-Grant
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Ms. Ennis-Grant brings 26 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, with degrees in Secondary English Education and Educational Administration from Ball State University. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Ball State and joined the Tindley team in 2019. She now leads Tindley Genesis Academy as Principal. A mother of four, she believes that "Knowledge is Power" and considers it a privilege to serve the TGA community.
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