Our Teachers

Mrs. Shannon Gerbershagen, Administrator

Prior to joining forces with Rise and Shine to create a kindergarten program in 2013, and then teaching kindergarten for five school years, Mrs. G served for nine years as a third and fourth grade teacher, and worked as a Literacy Specialist for the Reading First Grant in Youngstown City Schools. Mrs. G holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, is a certified teacher through the State of Ohio, and earned a Reading Endorsement for her experience as a Literacy Specialist on a K–3 reading initiative. Mrs. G sees Kindergarten as the foundation for a child’s academic future, and loves the opportunity to help children gain the confidence and knowledge they need to begin their educational journey. She now enjoys overseeing the program!






Mrs. Ashlee Menear, Teacher

Mrs. Ashlee Menear was born and raised in Brunswick and went to area schools for elementary and high school. She lives locally with her husband and two children, who both attended Rise and Shine for preschool and kindergarten. She loved watching her own children learn and grow in the program, and is excited to have that same joy with her own class of kids.


Mrs. Menear graduated from Baldwin Wallace College in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Childhood Education with specializations in mathematics, language arts and reading. She also has a Master’s Degree from Walden University in K-12 Classroom Technology. Mrs. Menear has classroom experience from teaching middle school mathematics and language arts for four years. While her children were young, she took a break from teaching and worked part-time at a local church as the Assistant for Youth and Children’s Ministries. She taught Sunday school for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade, which she still does today. Mrs. Menear was excited to return to teaching in 2017, and especially loves being a part of kindergartners’ early learning, helping them to recognize their strengths and build upon them to become confident learners.



Mrs. Doreen McBride (Teacher’s Aide)
After working in the banking and insurance industries for 15 years, Mrs. McBride became a stay-at-home mom to her two boys. When her youngest son attended his first year of Rise & Shine she began substituting in the classroom. She has been with Rise & Shine for 11 years and is state certified as a teacher’s aide. She looks forward to helping with the education of kindergartners in her fourth year in the kindergarten program.


Mrs. Marie Dodson (Teacher's Aide)

Mrs. Dodson began her employment at Rise and Shine began in 2006 when her youngest daughter attended pre-K. Marie has worked as a teachers aide , co -teacher and lead teacher during her years at Rise and Shine. She currently lives in Medina with her husband David, daughter Grace, and Brittany Spaniel named Teddy.  She is a mother of four daughters and grandmother to five grandchildren, number 6 is coming soon!


Marie is delighted to begin a supportive role in the  kindergarten classroom this year in addition to  providing weekly art instruction. She values creating an inspiring learning environment  where students develop  their curiosity, creativity a life long love for learning. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with the kindergarten this year as serve with a wonderful team.