Meet the Team

Taryn Kaplan, Director (they/them)

Mx. Taryn is our director and Pre-K teacher. They live in Cleveland Heights with a dog and cat, and in their classroom they keep our school pets Glitter, Sushi, and Kiwi! Mx. Taryn encourages students to be resourceful, creative, and respectful of the spaces we all share. They have taught many places in the United States and also in Haiti. Mx. Taryn loves to celebrate what makes each individual child and family special and unique.

Favorite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree

Read Mx. Taryn’s full bio here.

Sam Dominic, Teacher (she/her)

Ms. Sam is the teacher of our Threes, and loves to explore learning in creative and fun ways with her students! She lives in Cleveland Heights with her husband and two sons who are 9 and 6. Ms. Sam loves to travel and has been to the Dominican Republic, France, and Spain so far.

Favorite Children’s Book: The Snowy Day

Read Ms. Sam’s full bio here.

Margie Balog, Teacher (she/her)

Ms. Margie is our teacher for our Early Learners (age 2.5) and our Threes and Fours! She’s been teaching preschool for over 15 years and can’t wait to bring her love of teaching to Heights Cooperative. She lives in Mayfield Heights with her husband Don, dog Lola, and bearded dragon Rocky. Margie and Don have three grown-up kids.

Favorite Children’s Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Read Ms. Margie’s full bio here.

Joyce Robinson, Aide (she/her)

We couldn’t do it without Ms. Joyce! She is a shining star at Heights Cooperative and helps our students and teachers each and every day. As we welcome a new director and two new teachers, Ms. Joyce is a familiar face for students returning to Heights this school year!

Favorite Children's Book: The Giving Tree

Caitlin Fisher (they/them)

Mx. Caitlin joined our team for school year 2022-2023 to help us create a new website! They now help out part time to manage our blog and keep our community to date on the latest news at Heights.

Caitlin formerly worked with children as a pre-school aide and a nanny, and they love staying in touch with the education and learning needs of upcoming generations! Caitlin lives in Akron, Ohio with their partner, roommates, three cats, and a corgi named Gwen.

Favorite Children's Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom