Granting access for students with diverse visual abilities.
Board of Directors
The Ohio State School for the Blind Parent Teacher Staff Foundation is governed by a board of directors that is comprised of not less than five and no more than eleven voting members. The number of directors is determined by the board annually. Directors are elected to serve on the board for three-year terms. The current board of directors structure consists of ten voting members and one ex-officio member.
Carol Agler – Carol Agler was Music Director at OSSB from 1998-to 2015. She was the recipient of the Opera Columbus Teacher of the Year Award in 2003 and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2008. Carol founded the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band (OSSBMB) In 2005. The OSSBMB has demonstrated the abilities of those with disabilities in many venues including the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, the 2011 Lions Club International Parade of Nations in Seattle Washington, and other parades in Ohio and Michigan.
Under her direction, the band performed their signature drill “Script Braille ‘Ohio’” while the Ohio State University Marching Band performed “Script Ohio” during a halftime show on Sept.21, 2013. After her retirement, she remained active as a marching band assistant and volunteer instructor. She accompanied the band to Chicago in 2016 for the Lions Club International 100th Anniversary Parade of Nations and to Tampa, Florida in 2019 where they performed in the Outback Bowl halftime show.
Michael Albrecht– Michael Albrecht is a proud parent of a current OSSB student. Michael is originally from New York and holds a BS degree in Quantitative Analysis from St. John’s University where he also played drums with the Pep Band. Michael has over thirty years’ experience in the world of Information Technology and Finance, working in Manhattan, Bethesda and Columbus. Michael and his wife, recently moved from Maryland where they were registered foster care parents. They both have a good understanding of children who come from difficult backgrounds, have experienced trauma and who are overcoming challenges. The family move to Columbus was twofold – to be closer to family and to provide their daughter with a stellar education and experiences at OSSB with daily exposure to music. In his spare time, Michael enjoys bicycling, running, gardening and spending time with his family.
Brendon Hamblin – Brendon is a 2016 alumni of the Ohio State School for the Blind, he is currently acting as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the OSSBPTSF and is in charge of content management for this website, and for our Facebook Page. Brendon is a former member of the OSSB Marching Band.
Greg Hopkins OD, MS – Dr. Hopkins has served as preceptor for fourth year OSU College of Optometry externs caring for the students at the Ohio State School for the Blind clinical outreach site on a weekly basis. Dr. Hopkins has been certified by the department of public safety to fit bioptic telescope glasses for the central Ohio bioptic driving program and has been working to found a multi-speciality lighthouse for the blind and visually impaired in central Ohio.
Lauri Kaplan – Lauri began working at the Ohio State School for the Blind in 2003, and joined the Ohio State School for the Blind Parent Teacher Staff Foundation Board as a Director in 2009. Lauri and her husband have two adult children, the oldest is a young man who is blind and has additional physical and medical challenges. Lauri has served as an Ohio Parent Mentor since 2003, guiding families of children with visual impairments or blindness through the special education process. Lauri served as Secretary of the OSSB PTSF Board from 2018-to 2022 and currently serves as Chair of the OSSBPTSF.
Dr. Al LaBarre – Bio coming soon.
Dr. Lou Maynus – Dr. Maynus is the Superintendent of the Ohio State School for the Blind in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to arriving at OSSB, she served as an Assistant State Superintendent supporting the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Dr. Maynus also serves as Superintendent of the Ohio School for the Deaf.
Joe Mazzoli – Picture and Bio coming soon.
Molly Molenaur – Molly Molenaur is a parent to a current OSSB student. She is so thankful the OSSB community and staff that have made such positive life-changing difference to her son’s life that she is inspired to help and support the school. She has a background is working in marketing and events and is excited to bring this experience to help support the OSSB board and mission.
Rachel Smith – Hi, my name is Rachel Smith. I am a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist at the Ohio State School for the Blind and have been teaching there for 20+ years. My favorite part of teaching is when my students have their “A-ha moments” and realize that with hard work and practice, living a fulfilling life post-graduation is within reach. When I am not teaching at OSSB, my favorite things to do are spending time with my husband and animals on our small farm located north of Columbus within an Amish community.
Linda FreemanWalker – I am an avid reader, beginning calligrapher, and quote/mantra extraordinaire. I am an advocate who has worked as a lobbyist, communication director, university administrative assistant, and most notably a teacher and tutor in the field of math. I specialize in multi-sensory math and work with students from pre-k through high school. My passion is working to build selfconfidence via math using tools and strategies. I enjoy teaching students and at times their grown-up counterparts, ways to overcome math challenges. As a certified parent surrogate for the state of Ohio Department of Education, I work with school teams on IEP's/504's/behavior plans. These plans can and should assist a student in fulfilling their academic goals during their primary, middle, and high school years. I also volunteer in a number of other capacities whenever my schedule affords the time. I have several years as a board member. I also volunteered and continue to do so for a PTA unit in Westerville as well as serving for the past four years as a staff member for Ohio PTA. I have also been involved as a member of PTOs and booster programs.
