Meet Our Team

One Classroom Staff

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    Kyle Van Frank

    Executive Director

    Kyle Van Frank is a nonprofit leader and passionate storyteller committed to leaving the world better than he found it. With a background in theater, philanthropy, development, communications and management, Kyle brings a national perspective to One Classroom. His work as a professional actor, director, and teaching artist took him around the country, eventually leading him to roles in non-profit leadership and advancement. This includes experience as executive director for the FIRE Foundation of Denver, a non-profit with a similar mission to One Classroom. While working for FIRE Denver, Kyle was instrumental in increasing visibility and support for inclusive education in the Denver area, including partnerships with key stakeholders and production of various media to promote active engagement. He and his wife are active in the St. Louis Catholic community, and have embraced the Catholic identity that makes St. Louis special. Kyle holds a B.A. in theater from The University of Alabama, and an M.S. in non-profit leadership from the University of Denver.

    kylevanfrank@one-classroom.com | 314-328-9231

  • Colleen Mooney

    Colleen Mooney

    Programming Director

    Colleen’s experience as a special education teacher gives her a unique perspective as she assists schools with their One Classroom programs. One of her four children has a rare genetic disorder called Soto’s Syndrome, so Colleen understands the vital importance of providing access to a Catholic education for all children. She is responsible for programming, including professional development, educator training, consulting, financial grants, and program development and evaluation. Colleen is the author of the “Manual for the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Catholic Schools,” and has been instrumental in all aspects of One Classroom’s success. She is an active member of Annunciation parish in Webster Groves, and on the school board at Holy Cross Academy. Along with her husband, she is an active volunteer and reliable ear for families with special needs children. She holds a master’s degree in special education from Webster University and bachelor’s in elementary education from Saint Louis University.

    colleenmooney@one-classroom.com | 314-616-7558

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    Melissa Copley

    Communications Specialist

    As communications specialist, Melissa is blessed to combine her love of Catholicism, children, and writing to advance One Classroom’s inclusive education model. Melissa first learned of One Classroom from the Armitage family after moving to St. Louis in 2019. Since then, she has witnessed the intrinsic beauty and value of One Classroom at Mary Queen of Peace, both as a parishioner and CGS catechist (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd). Melissa’s 30-year career began in agency public relations, pivoting to a successful consulting business with clients ranging from multi-national companies to education and agricultural organizations. She is a wife and mother of three, and grateful for the opportunity to learn from the One Classroom team and families. Melissa holds a B.A. in journalism and minor in agricultural economics from the University of Nevada, Reno.

    melissacopley@one-classroom.com

  • Dr. Katy Schierding

    Gladys Oster

    Digital Media Specialist

    Gladys first encountered inclusion at her Catholic high school. Since then, she has worked both in special education, events, and marketing, often at the same time. She loves combining her eye for design with her Catholic faith, especially through One Classroom's mission. Gladys received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Hillsdale College and her MA in Theology from the Augustine Institute. She is currently earning her Specialist Degree in School Psychology at the University of Detroit Mercy and hopes to spread inclusion into Catholic schools in her home state of Michigan.

    gladysoster@one-classroom.com

One Classroom Board of Directors

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    Tony Armitage

    Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board

    Originally from Massachusetts, Tony has called the St. Louis area home for nearly 30 years. Professionally, Tony serves as VP of Purchasing & Risk Management for The International Companies where he leads a group of experienced industry professionals responsible for procuring food ingredients and commodities such as sugar, dairy ingredients, cocoa, oils, starches, flour, and food-grade chemicals. In addition to this role, Tony serves as General Manger of Greenfield Solutions, a subsidiary of TIC.

    Tony’s true passion lies in supporting families and schools to fully include children with IDD. This passion, inspired by his son Christopher, is what led him to co-found One Classroom with his wife, LeeAnn, 10 years ago.

    Tony holds a BSBA in Business Administration from Villanova University and an MBA from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis.

    anthonyarmitage@one-classroom.com | 314-406-4797

  • LeeAnn Armitage

    LeeAnn Armitage

    Co-Founder & Director

    As parents of a child with Down Syndrome, Anthony and LeeAnn are pioneers of the current model of inclusive Catholic education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Anthony has over 30 years of commercial business experience encompassing managerial, leadership, business growth, employee management, innovation and change management. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and an MBA from Washington University. LeeAnn is a thought leader in inclusive education practices, and serves on the National Catholic Board of Full Inclusion. Her volunteer background coupled with her deep Catholic faith has been foundational to One Classroom’s success

    leeannarmitage@one-classroom.com

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    Bill and Darby Barnes

    Directors

    Bill and Darby Barnes are St. Louis natives, having both grown up attending Catholic schools. They have four children and are parishioners of Our Lady of the Pillar. Bill works as a principal at NAI DESCO, a commercial real estate firm. Darby is a registered nurse with a background pediatric intensive care.

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    Dr. Michael Boyle

    Director

    Dr. Michael J. Boyle is a nationally recognized leader in Catholic education, specializing in inclusion, school leadership, and innovative strategies to build capacity in faith-based schools. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education at the School of Education at Saint Louis University, where he leads strategic initiatives to support Catholic schools through research, professional development, and systemic planning. Dr. Boyle has published extensively on topics related to inclusive education in Catholic schools, including his books Unique and Unrepeatable: Teaching All God's Children and Ensuring a Place at the Table. As a frequent keynote speaker and consultant, he continues to shape the future of Catholic education by empowering educators to respond to the needs of all students with creativity, compassion, and Catholic identity.

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    Fred Brown Jr.

    Director

    Fred Brown Jr. serves as Key Account Manager for the International Ingredient Corporation (IIC), a local organization with 50 years of successful impact on the world by managing and processing food industry co-products into value-added animal and pet food ingredients. IIC conducts business in 25 countries, where 590 million pounds of pet food containing their products are used annually.

    Fred is a graduate of Chaminade College Preparatory School and is engaged in the local St. Louis community through philanthropy and service.

  • Mark Burns

    Mark Burns

    Director

    Mark Burns is Principal of Mark Burns & Associates, L.L.C., a local office furniture company that collaborates with manufacturing partners to offer a wide breadth of standard and custom product solutions.

    Mark received his BSBA in Marketing & Management from Rockhurst University and is a long-term parishioner at Mary Queen of Peace in Webster groves. Mark has been a friend of One Classroom since its infancy and is committed to creating greater awareness for inclusive Catholic education for children with special needs.​

  • A woman with long blonde hair, wearing earrings and a patterned blouse, smiling in front of a logo with the words 'Larna, Paris' and a crest.

    Barrett Hadican

    Director

    Barrett Hadican is the Director of Annual Giving and Communications at SSM Health, bringing over 21 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, marketing and public relations. Her career spans healthcare, secondary education, and public relations, including work at Fleishman-Hillard. A proud St. Louis native, Barrett holds an undergraduate degree from Saint Louis University and a master’s degree from Webster University. She is deeply passionate about Catholic education and advocating for inclusive environments for children with special needs. As a mother of three, including a son with Down syndrome, she has been instrumental in pioneering inclusive education initiatives in St. Louis, including the inaugural inclusion program at her son’s grade school and the first inclusive class at De Smet Jesuit High School.

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    Brian Hadican

    Director

    Brian Hadican is the Market President – St. Louis C&I at Enterprise Bank & Trust, with over 22 years of experience in commercial banking, including the last 15 years at Enterprise. His career includes roles at Reliance Bank and Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services. A lifelong St. Louisan, Brian is a graduate of De Smet Jesuit High School and holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees from Saint Louis University, where he played Division 1 soccer for the Billikens. As a father of three, including a son with Down syndrome, Brian is a passionate advocate for inclusive education and Catholic values. He played a key role in supporting the inaugural inclusion program at his son’s grade school and the launch of the Inclusive Education Program at De Smet Jesuit High School in 2023. Brian continues to give back through his service to the World Pediatric Project’s annual fundraiser and volunteers as an assistant coach in the SLSG MLS Next Academy - combining his love for sports, service, and community impact.

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    Aaron Reinberg

    Director

    Aaron Reinberg is a devoted mother of three children, one of whom has Down Syndrome and brings the most joy to the household. She has a background in nutrition and dietetics and a Masters in Public health and worked for 20 years supporting the health of the St. Louis community in several positions.  She became Catholic at age 24 and is devoted to deepening her own faith and the faith of young people through Catholic education.

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    Beau Reinberg

    Director

    Beau Reinberg is a parishoner at Christ the King parish in University City and a father of three children. As a Principal at BestBox Storage and Diversified Structure Solutions, Beau is responsible for leading the development and acquisition of properties across the nation.

    Beau is passionate about supporting and empowering local communities through philanthropic initiatives, such as founding 100 St. Louisans Who Care and serving as a board member of One Classroom and Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis. Beau’s mission is to create positive social impact while delivering exceptional results.

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    Dr. Katy Schierding

    Director & Inclusion Specialist

    Dr. Schierding has dedicated more than two decades to the field of education, with a strong commitment to supporting students with diverse learning needs. She has been involved with One Classroom since 2017 and has served as a board member since 2022. Her background as a special education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels has given her a strong foundation for creating inclusive learning environments and advocating for students and families. She brings extensive experience in developing and implementing systems and programs to support exceptional learners in public schools, which has translated well to One Classroom. Katy developed one of the first successful inclusion programs in a St. Louis Archdiocesan parish school at Immaculate Conception Dardenne. 

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    Patrick Sly 

    Director

    Patrick Sly had a long and successful career with St. Louis-based Emerson and retired in 2016 as Executive Vice President. He has been deeply involved as a board member of many charitable organizations, including Boys Hope Girls Hope, the Nine Network of Public Media (PBS), and as a trustee at Saint Louis University. He served on the boards of KIPP Charter Schools, the Urban League, Benedictine College, and St. John Vianney High School, as well as the Ferguson Commission and Better Together organizations. Pat currently serves on the boards of the Missouri Historical Society, Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, Cardinal Ritter College Prep, and One Classroom. He has a BS in Business Administration from Benedictine College in Kansas and an MBA from Saint Louis University. 

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    Peggy Sly

    Director

    Peggy Sly is a former educator and librarian. She has been married to Patrick for 53 years and they have two children and eight grandchildren. 

    Peggy has been a volunteer tutor in St. Louis public schools, on the Magic House Board of Directors, co-chair of the Evening of Hope Gala, and has just begun a four-year term on the ACA Council. She is actively involved at Immacolata Catholic parish, serving in the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen and on the parish council. In 2025, Pat and Peggy were awarded an honorary doctorate by Saint Louis University for their dedication to their community. 

One Classroom Emeritus Board Members

  • Fred Brown Sr.

    Director Emeritus

    Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Fred passed away peacefully January of 2024, survived by his loving wife, Carole, and their three children.

    Fred attended Chaminade College Preparatory School and Washington University in St. Louis.

    Fred served as the Chairman of the Board and founder of the International Companies of St. Louis for nearly 50 years. Fred was also founder of the International Charitable Organization and was instrumental in the founding of One Classroom. May he rest in peace of God’s love and mercy forever.

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    Eleanor Burns

    Director Emerita

    It was with great sadness that Eleanor, dear wife of Mark Burns, wonderful mother of Riley and Ainsley, and one of the most lighted hearted, loving, cheerful people we knew, unexpectedly passed away in March of 2023.

    We are forever grateful for her friendship, guidance, and generous service to One Classroom and those in need. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ welcome and bless Eleanor with His eternal mercy and love.

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    Pat & Lisa Mooney

    Directors Emeritus

    Pat is the current President of Footwear Unlimited. Lisa is an educator with professional experience in support of children with special needs. Pat and Lisa are very involved in their community and charitable organizations.