Albert “AJ” Charpentier and Diane Longstreth, Ph.D., were elected to the Summit Academy Management Board of Directors at the organization’s June 3 annual meeting. Both new members bring extensive K-12 education leadership experience, including previous involvement as Summit Academy school board members.
Charpentier joins the SAM Board after serving as both a Summit Academy school board member and principal. For the past three years, Charpentier was a school board member for Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Lorain Elementary, Summit Academy School – Lorain Middle and Secondary, and Summit Academy Community School – Parma. From 2022-2023, he was president of the Summit Academy Lorain Board.
Prior, from 2013-2019, Charpentier led Summit Academy – Lorain Elementary as its principal. During his time as principal, the school earned a “High Progress of Honor” recognition from the Ohio Department of Education for the 2017-2018 school year. Charpentier says the designation, awarded to Title 1 schools that make consistent gains in student performance on Ohio state tests, reflects the hard work and dedication demonstrated by his teachers, students and administrative staff. Visit Schools of Honor | Ohio Department of Education for details.
Charpentier also served as Lorain Elementary’s lead intervention specialist from 2010-2013. Before joining Summit Academy, he was the special education department chair for the Kenmore-Tonawanda (New York) School District for which he also served as an intervention specialist.
“I believe that my experience as a special education teacher and administrator in different roles of leadership will be valuable to the board of directors,” Charpentier shared in his board member application. “As a former principal of a Summit Academy school, I bring a unique perspective to guide and support the Board and the Summit Academy organization as a whole.”
Charpentier earned his Master of Education in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University and his BA in Elementary Education and Inclusion education from Niagara University.
Longstreth also has a rich history with Summit Academy. She served as president of the Board of Directors for Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Lorain Elementary from 2022-2023. She also brings experience as a board member for Summit Academy School – Lorain Middle and Secondary and Constellation Schools (Puritas Community Middle, Stockyard Community Middle and Westlake Community School of the Arts).
Longstreth has dedicated her career to academe, most recently serving as the director of curriculum for Northeast Ohio Medical University. She previously provided consulting to K-12 schools and community agencies in curriculum alignment, grant writing and grant evaluation. Longstreth’s prior positions include those of regional technical assistance representative for the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West, director of curriculum and instruction/director of educational and career advancement for the Maple Heights City School District and transformation specialist for the Ohio Department of Education, among others.
“I believe that my experiences in public education over the last three decades have given me a great deal to offer,” Longstreth noted in her board member application. “I bring a passion for public school choice, an expertise in grants, teaching and learning and principal teaching/mentorship… I would be honored to serve as a Summit Academy Management board member.”
Longstreth earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Ohio University, her M.A. in Education from Muskingum (College) University and BA in English and Liberal Arts from Malone (College) University. In addition, she earned her K-12 superintendent licensure in 2015 from Ashland University. Longstreth’s additional credentials include certificates/licenses in English 7-12; principal, middle school, grades 4-9; principal, middle/high school, grade 7- age 22; and supervision, K-12.
Other members of the board are Chair Tony Malorni, Amy Martin, Michael Rasicci, James Slogar and Fred Brumfield.