School Administration
Michael Mertz, Director of Education
Mr. Mertz is a graduate of Fairfield University and received his Master of Education from Wilmington University. Mr. Mertz has been in the educational field since 2004. He has worked in several different areas all over the Mid-Atlantic area. Mr. Mertz started his career with The High Road School in 2014. He has worked as a teacher, an associate director, and is now the director of Education for the High Road School of Delaware. Mr. Mertz believes that all students can be successful with the right resources and programming. As a lifelong educator he is dedicated to providing an individualized education experience that fits the needs of students as individual learners. He also strives to provide a war and inviting environment to promote student success and engagement.
Amy Stormo, Associate Director
Amy Stormo, M.A.T., is a certified special education teacher who holds a master’s degree in teaching from Goucher College. She also earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Maryland University College. Amy joined the High Road School of Columbia in 2002 as an assistant teacher. Amy ended up taking some time off to be a stay-at-home mother. In 2013, Amy rejoined the High Road School family at the Baltimore County location. Over the years Amy has worked at several of the High Road Schools in a variety of positions. In January of 2020, Amy became the Associate Director at the High Road School of Delaware. Amy loves what she does and enjoys the fact that every day is different and brings a new adventure. She is married with 3 teenage children and two crazy dogs that keep her busy!
Jessica Rutter, Administrative Assistant
Jessica Rutter has been with our company since April of 2019. She has moved up from a one-to-one to an Administrative Assistant. She has been an active member of the social committee, constantly bringing in new and fresh ideas to get parents and teachers involved in our school’s community. She is always making the students and staff a number one priority. Jessica enjoys just being a positive person in our students’ lives.’ Jessica is willing to help whenever it is needed by taking students on breaks, stepping into the classrooms, or even just saying words of encouragement. In Jessica’s spare time she enjoys going on adventures with her fiancé and playing fetch with her two cats.
Antoinette Washington, Transition Coordinator
Antoinette has been at High Roads since January 2019. She has started as one-to-one and has worked her way up to a Transition Coordinator. Antoinette has been doing a phenomenal job with our High School classes and working with them individually to help prepare them for college and everyday life. She hosts college fairs yearly for the Junior and Seniors to help them meet with college advisors to learn more about the different colleges. Antoinette embodies the definition of a team player. She is always willing to assist in any of the classrooms whenever she is needed. Antoinette is also part of the party planning committee to help plan fun events for the students throughout the year. In Antoinette’s spare time she enjoys taking her dog Roxy for walks and reading good books!
Meet Our Teachers
Kelley Cooper, Elementary Teacher
Kelley Cooper is new to the state of Delaware and High Road School. She grew up in Western Maryland, where she attended Frostburg State University. She graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and then again in 2013 with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. She has worked in the education field for seven years prior to her move to the state of Delaware and a new school. She has a passion for education and helping students reach their full potential. She believes that every student can learn but not in the same way. Kelley has decided to choose a career to discover new ways of learning to meet the needs of her students. She is excited to be a member of this team and looks forward to the year ahead!
Michael Taylor, Elementary Assistant
Salimah Johnson, Middle School Teacher
Salimah Johnson was born and raised in Philadelphia Pennsylvania; she holds a B.S in Biology / General Science and M.S in Early Childhood and Special Education. Salimah has been teaching since 2004 inside the Philadelphia school system. Salimah is a mother of an 11-year-old daughter. Traveling, crafting, and reading are Salimah’s favorite past times. There are two teaching philosophies that Salimah actively engages in in her classroom. 1.To teach and reach each type of learner. 2. Education is not one size that fits all.
Aonyae Travis Jones, Middle School Assistant Teacher
Aonyae Jones is currently a teacher assistant for our middle school class at the High Road School of Delaware. She has been in the education field for about 3 years as an assistant teacher and a substitute teacher. She enjoys working with kids of all ages. She is well known to have a special bond with any of her students she has the pleasure of interacting with. We would describe her as a dedicated, caring, and hardworking individual. Aonyae strives to get all students to do the best they can do.
Carla Tilghman, LifeSkills Teacher
Carla Tilghman is excited to start her career as a teacher here at High Road School. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Delaware. She graduated from John Dickinson High School and moved to Ithaca, New York for college. She attended Ithaca College and received a well-rounded education in Sociology and Arts. Attending a liberal arts college helped to widen her world view as well as diversify her interests. Her passions led her to work for the Walt Disney World Company where she loved working with parents to make their wildest dreams come true for their children. It is her passion for people and learning that has allowed her to have a positive outlook on life. Working with children is a passion of Carla’s because our children shape the future. Carla teaches her students that it does not matter who quits on you, never quit on yourself. If you do not quit yourself not only, can you make it, but you can thrive in this world. She aspires to help children change their thoughts from “I can’t” and “I’m not good enough” to “I am good enough and I will make it happen!” Carla is honored to be here at High Road and looks forward to making a difference one step at a time.
Misty Karnes, LifeSkills Assistant
Misty Karnes is from Deltona, Florida. Misty is the youngest of 3 sisters. She has a son, a niece, and a nephew who is her world. Misty moved to Delaware 4 years ago to pursue her career in Education. She is a huge fan of the outdoors and misses living 15 mins from the beach. Misty enjoys going fishing, playing softball, and taking her two dogs for walks through the woods during her spare time. Anything to do with being outside and she is there. Misty has a heart for helping people and loves working with the students here at High Roads. Watching the students grow every day and when they grasp what she is teaching is the best feeling in the world.
Christopher Banker, High School Teacher
Christopher Banker is thrilled to be starting his 2nd year as a High Roads instructor. Chris has completed his master’s at Wilmington University where he received a master’s degree in Educational Studies/Special Education, with a certification in students with disabilities and Autism. His undergraduate work was done at Temple University where he received a bachelor’s in Theater Arts. Since beginning his career, in education, Chris has been a Para Educator in the Brandywine School district, where he served as a one-to-one aid, and classroom Para Educator for general education classes and classrooms with students of special needs. After spending several years with the Brandywine School district, he began working within the Red Clay school district, where he taught as an Autism Support teacher, Grades k-12. He has also been a Title One Teacher with the Archdioceses of Wilmington where He worked with student’s grades K-8, focused on Reading and Mathematics skills. Chris believes that with structure and engaging academics all students can be successful.
Imani Huggins, Teaching Assistant
Imani Huggins was born and raised in Newark, Delaware where she later went on to graduate from Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School where her interest was Early Childhood Education. Imani went on to become an Early Childhood Educator and Camp Counselor for several years. She is currently attending Western Governors University where she is working towards her degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. Imani believes that all children deserve to have someone advocate for their wants, needs, and dreams and she strives to do so daily. It is Imani’s hope that with guidance, support, and the endless love and time that she commits to pouring into each student, that they will find their spark. Imani enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, self-care, and learning new and exciting ways to teach and be taught.
