Our Team
Our dedicated teachers, structured learning, and close-knit school community help children build confidence, responsibility, and a love of learning that lasts.
Ambria Salavantis serves as Head of School at Wilkes-Barre Academy, bringing strategic vision, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to academic excellence. With a degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Wilkes University, she combines educational leadership with sound management experience to ensure the Academy remains mission-driven, financially strong, and positioned for thoughtful growth.
Shaped by a family tradition of enterprise, perseverance, and academic commitment, Ms. Salavantis believes schools thrive when communication is clear, expectations are high, and every child is truly known. She leads with clarity, supports and protects her faculty, and makes steady, mission-aligned decisions while continually seeking innovative ways to strengthen the school. Under her leadership, Wilkes-Barre Academy remains focused on strong foundational academics, character development, and preparing students to grow into confident, compassionate individuals.
Amanda O’Toole brings over 17 years of teaching experience, including 16 dedicated years at Wilkes-Barre Academy. A graduate of Kutztown University, Amanda is known for her commitment to student success and her belief that school should feel like a supportive, encouraging community. She considers Wilkes-Barre Academy a second family and takes pride in helping every student grow academically and personally.
Inspired by her own second-grade teacher, Amanda knew from a young age that she wanted to teach. She strives to create a classroom environment that is caring, engaging, and meaningful – one where students feel valued and supported. She especially enjoys teaching geometry and brings enthusiasm and positivity to her work each day. Outside the classroom, Amanda enjoys reading, gaming, spending time with her family, and all things Disney.
Mr. Nolasco brings over a decade of experience in education and community engagement to Wilkes-Barre Academy. He earned a Master’s degree in Childhood Education from Hunter College and has taught in New York City as a classroom teacher in public schools and as a health and physical education teacher in Catholic schools, later serving as a founding member of a charter school. He also served as a Community Development Officer for the Major League Soccer organization, New York City FC where he focused on youth engagement, program supervision, and community partnerships.
Outside the classroom, Mr. Nolasco enjoys soccer, construction projects, and spending time travelling with his family. He looks forward to discovering and embracing outdoor life throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. He’s excited to support and advance the mission of Wilkes-Barre Academy.
Amanda Sullick brings 31 years of teaching experience, including 17 years at Wilkes-Barre Academy. A graduate of the University of the Arts, Amanda is passionate about sharing her love of music and community service with her students. Her teaching is rooted in the belief that the arts play a vital role in building confidence, creativity, and connection.
Wilkes-Barre Academy holds a special place in Amanda’s heart – not only as an educator, but also as a parent. Both of her daughters are alumni, and she cherished watching them grow within the school’s supportive environment. Amanda values the strong foundation WBA provides, noting that the relationships students form with their teachers continue to have a meaningful impact well beyond graduation. She is proud to be part of a school community that truly feels like family.
Theresa Celestine brings 11 years of teaching experience, including four years at Wilkes-Barre Academy. A graduate of Saint Vincent College, Theresa began her career tutoring while in college and quickly discovered her passion for teaching. She has experience working as a teacher’s assistant and tutoring multiple days a week, which helped shape her student-centered approach to education.
Theresa values the close-knit environment of a small school and believes strong relationships with students and families are at the heart of effective learning. As both a teacher and a parent, she appreciates the individual attention students receive and the meaningful connections formed within the school community. Theresa enjoys teaching chemistry and is especially motivated by helping students build confidence and succeed academically.
Mrs. Howie brings two years of teaching experience, all of which she has spent at WIlkes-Barre Academy. A graduate of Clarks Summit University, Rachel was drawn to teaching by her love of reading and her desire to make a meaningful impact on young people’s lives. She is passionate about helping students grow academically while fostering confidence and curiosity.
Rachel appreciates the strong sense of community of WIlkes-Barre Academy and is grateful for the support and encouragement she has received from both families and colleagues. She especially enjoys teaching literature and creating a welcoming classroom environment where students feel supported and valued. Outside the classroom, Rachel enjoys scrapbooking, traveling, and cherishing special memories with family and friends.
Gary Crompton brings 11 years of teaching experience, including four years at Wilkes-Barre Academy. A graduate of Cairn University, Gary has felt drawn to teaching from an early age, having grown up as the oldest of four children while his mother ran a daycare. Those early experiences helped shape his natural ability to connect with students and guide their learning.
Gary enjoys creating engaging, challenging lessons and believes Wilkes-Barre Academy provides students with a strong academic foundation that prepares them for future success. His favorite subject to teach is geography, and he values helping students develop curiosity about the world and confidence in their abilities. Outside the classroom, Gary enjoys biking, hiking, and learning about how people live and learn across different cultures.
Ms. McPeek started at Small Wonders Daycare in 2011 after learning her family attended the school as students. She began her work in the infant classroom. Later, she transitioned into a supporting teaching role with the first and second grade students, and after several years became part of the Wilkes-Barre Academy Upper School team. Mrs. McPeek values the school’s close-knit community and the relationships she has built with students and colleagues. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time at the beach with her family and her pet husky.
Amber Springer brings four years of teaching experience, all of which she has spent at Wilkes-Barre Academy. A graduate of Bloomsburg University, Amber knew from a young age that she wanted to help others, and she discovered her passion for teaching after completing education courses that confirmed her calling to the classroom.
Amber values the family-oriented culture at Wilkes-Barre Academy and appreciates a community where everyone is willing to lend a helping hand. She especially enjoys teaching reading and is committed to creating a supportive, welcoming environment where students feel encouraged to grow and succeed. Outside the classroom, Amber enjoys staying active, shopping, traveling to the beach, and sharing her love of tacos.
Ashley Kishbaugh brings 16 years of teaching experience, including eight years at WIlkes-Barre Academy. A graduate of Bloomsburg University, Ashley was inspired to become a teacher by her sixth-grade English teacher, who had a unique ability to bring reading to life and give every character a voice. During a challenging time in her own life, his passion for learning left a lasting impression and inspired her to help children develop the same love for reading and learning.
Ashley believes deeply in holding students to high standards because she genuinely cares about their growth and future success. She enjoys teaching math and reading, especially reading stories aloud for her students. She is committed to helping students reach their full potential in a supportive and encouraging environment. Outside the classroom, Ashley enjoys painting, horseback riding, crafting, traveling, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.
Christine Yelland brings four years of teaching experience, all of which she has spent at Wilkes-Barre Academy. A graduate of Elizabethtown College, Christine was drawn to teaching by her desire to work closely with people and build meaningful relationships. Growing up, the importance of education was always emphasized, shaping her belief that learning is a lifelong journey with no limits.
Christine values the close-knit partnership between teachers and families at Wilkes-Barre Academy and appreciates the supportive environment that allows students to thrive. She especially enjoys teaching reading and science and is committed to helping students learn in a comfortable setting where they receive the individualized attention needed for success. Outside the classroom, Christine enjoys traveling, spending time with her dog Lucy, attending concerts, and staying active.
Jessica McClinick brings five years of teaching experience and is excited to be joining Wilkes-Barre Academy in her first year with the school. A graduate of Penn State University, Jessica has always had a passion for working with children and supporting their growth both academically and personally.
Inspired by a teacher she had in third grade, Jessica knew early on that teaching was her calling. She values creating a strong, supportive, learning environment and believes Wilkes-Barre Academy offers exactly that – a close-knit, family-centered community where students can thrive. Jessica especially enjoys teaching reading and is enthusiastic about beginning this new chapter at WBA. Outside of the classroom, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading her favorite books and watching her favorite tv shows.
Mrs. Sholtis brings an extraordinary 37 years of teaching experience, including 36 years at Wilkes-Barre Academy. A graduate of Misericordia University, Eileen was inspired to become a teacher by the outstanding educators she had as a child – many of whose methods she still thoughtfully incorporates into her teaching today.
Eileen values the strong sense of family and tradition that defines Wilkes-Barre Academy. She takes great pride in the fact that the school has served families across generations, with former students now returning as parents of current students. This lasting trust and connections, she believes, is the greatest compliment the school can receive. Eileen especially enjoys teaching reading and remains deeply committed to nurturing a love of learning in every child she teaches.
Jessica Richmond has been part of the Wilkes-Barre Academy/Small Wonders family for 18 years, helping children grow, learn, and have fun along the way. She loves creating a welcoming and engaging environment where every child feels supported and encouraged to explore their curiosity. Her goal is to make learning exciting while helping each child build confidence and a love for school.
Outside the classroom, Jessica enjoys spending time at the beach, going on road trips, and catching live concerts whenever she can. She loves exploring new places, experiencing new music, and bringing a sense of adventure and energy to everything she does—both at work and in her personal life.
Contact our school today to arrange a private tour at your convenience.
Call or Fill out the form below