Our Administrative Team

Dr. Christopher Brooks is honored to serve as Head of School at OHDELA. He is an innovative instructional leader whose work is focused on building and fostering strong adult and student learning communities that promote student success. He believes deeply that strong educators and schools can transform the trajectory of a student’s life.

Chris brings leadership experiences in blended, distance and online learning spaces to leverage personalized learning strategies to meet the learning journey of each student. He has served as an Assistant High School Principal, Junior High Principal, Middle School Principal, Lead Middle School Principal. He led the design process and was founding principal of The 9X Impact, a project-based learning 9th grade academy and was an Instructional Specialist with a charter-school network. Most recently, he was the OHDELA High School Principal.

He holds the Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University, completed the Superintendent Licensure program at The Ohio State University, and the Master of Educational Administration and Bachelor of Music Education from Bowling Green State University.

I am honored and excited to join the OHDELA team as the Principal, Grades 9-12. I have 22 years of experience in education, including roles as a classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, and administrator at the building and district levels. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Language Arts from Kent State University. I also hold a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Salem University and an MBA in Human Resource Management from Florida Metropolitan University. My educational philosophy centers on the belief that all students can succeed when provided with a supportive and engaging learning environment in which they feel they belong.

Outside of work, I am a wife and mother of two children. I enjoy dancing, puzzles, and movies of all genres! I look forward to getting to know our students, staff, and families as we work together to create an exceptional educational experience for every child in our school.

Ms. McNeely proudly serves as Middle School Principal at OHDELA. With more than 14 years of experience in education, she is dedicated to creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where students, staff, and families can thrive.

Throughout her career, Ms. McNeely has served in a variety of educational roles, including classroom teacher, assistant principal, and now principal. Her passion for education is rooted in building meaningful relationships, supporting student growth, and empowering teachers to deliver high-quality instruction that meets the diverse needs of every learner.

Ms. McNeely earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She is passionate about lifelong learning and continuously seeks opportunities to grow as an educator and leader.

Mrs. Ramirez has dedicated her career to education since graduating from West Virginia State University in 2014. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of elementary education roles and has spent the past two years serving as the Assistant Principal for Elementary at OHDELA. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Walden University, as well as Ohio administrative licensure.

Mrs. Ramirez is passionate about instructional leadership, student growth, and building strong foundational skills that position students for long-term academic success. She is committed to fostering collaborative relationships with educators and families, supporting teachers through effective instructional practices, and creating learning environments where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Patrick Locke serves as Director of Student Engagement, where he leads strategic efforts to foster meaningful connections that drive student success.

Since 2020, Patrick has advanced from Engagement Coach to CCWMR Coordinator, developing and implementing high-impact outreach initiatives that strengthen student participation, persistence, and postsecondary readiness. His work reflects a deep commitment to removing barriers and creating pathways for all students to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

A Northeast Ohio native, Patrick has attended Cleveland State University and Ashland University. He is dedicated to cultivating student-centered environments where relationships, opportunity, and achievement intersect—helping students not only reach their goals, but expand what they believe is possible.

I am honored to serve as the Director of Special Education for OHDELA. This is my 25th year in education of which 18 have been spent in the online learning environment. I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Cleveland State University and hold a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction as well as Educational Leadership.

I love the individualized format we can offer students with a disability in the virtual setting. As a Special Education Director, I work with teachers and staff to develop effective special education programs that are embedded with best practices aimed at meeting the unique learning needs of each student.

I live in Sharon Township with my three children. I am an avid yogi and enjoy the mental and physical aspects of practicing and challenging myself daily.

My career in Operations began with OHDELA in 2020, a transformative year for both our school and online education. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of so much growth at OHDELA, and I’ve loved seeing the impact our program has had on our students. Our continued growth reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire school community.

I have always been interested in processes and in understanding how organizations can operate effectively to pursue their mission. That interest led me to study Organizational Leadership at Cleveland State University and ultimately to a career in Operations. At OHDELA, we have an incredibly talented team dedicated to providing students with a rigorous, innovative, and engaging educational experience. My role is to help maintain and strengthen the operations surrounding our staff and programs so that their hard work is supported, recorded, and recognized. I love being able to look at the many moving pieces of our school and find ways to help them work together effectively in support of our families and students.

Outside of work, I enjoy gardening and other peaceful, creative activities. On the weekends, you’ll find me with my family.