Meet Our Leadership Team!

Head of School

Wendall Garth joins Gateway Academy as HEAD OF SCHOOL from Invictus High School, where he served as the Director of the West Campus. He brings a wealth of experience and a strong academic foundation to his role. He is licensed by the Ohio Department of Education as a Principal (Pre-K–12), Superintendent, Business Manager, and School Treasurer, reflecting his dedication to the diverse aspects of educational leadership.

Wendall is deeply passionate about making education accessible to everyone in the community. He believes that fostering a collaborative environment allows for the exchange of ideas that can enhance educational practices and remove barriers to learning. He is excited to join the team and continue building on Gateway Academy’s legacy of excellence.

Email: wgarth@gatewayoh.org

PRINCIPAL

Sean Strong is the PRINCIPAL of Gateway Online Academy. Before beginning his career in education, Sean worked in the heating, cooling, and home maintenance trades. He later earned his Bachelor’s degree from Baldwin Wallace University, where he discovered his passion for teaching.

Sean began his career in education in 2018 as a high school Social Studies teacher at Avon High School. He then transitioned to a Dropout Prevention High School, where he deepened his commitment to supporting students with diverse needs. Continuing his own education, Sean earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Baldwin Wallace in 2022. Since then, he has served in multiple leadership roles, including Academic Coach, Assistant Principal, and Interim Principal.

At the heart of Sean’s leadership is a belief in the power of strong relationships. He is dedicated to helping students discover their own path, grow through challenges, and build meaningful connections. Recognizing that each student’s story is unique, Sean encourages students to embrace their journey, take bold steps, and create opportunities for their future.

Email: sstrong@gatewayoh.org
Phone: 216-232-3577

Shaquila Horne is an ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL with over nine years of experience in education, dedicated to student success and academic growth. The University of Akron alumna and Columbus, Ohio native. For the past three years, she has served in a dropout prevention program, supporting at-risk students through targeted interventions, data-driven instruction, and personalized academic planning. Prior to her current role, she spent six years as an Academic Coach and English Teacher, where she focused on literacy development, instructional coaching, and curriculum support. Shaquila is passionate about equity in education, building strong school communities, and ensuring every student has a clear pathway to graduation and postsecondary success.

Email: shorne@gatewayoh.org
Phone: 216-201-9481

Jessica Brown is the OPERATIONS MANAGER  at Gateway Online Academy. She began working in the school environment in 2015 and has been part of the Gateway team for the past six years. Throughout her career in education, Jessica has enjoyed supporting students, families, and staff and helping create a positive school experience for everyone.

As Operations Manager, Jessica helps oversee the day-to-day operations of the school and works closely with students, families, and staff to provide support, answer questions, and help ensure everything runs smoothly. She enjoys being someone others can turn to when they need assistance and takes pride in being part of the Gateway community.
Email: jbrown@gatewayoh.org Phone: 216-502-3010

Kristal Lockwood is the SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR here at Gateway. She is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. She is married and has 4 children, 1 dog, 2 grandchildren, and 2 grand pups. She and her husband are avid Notre Dame and Cleveland Guardians fans. Her family enjoys camping, watching sports, and spending time together. She has 20 years of education. She has dedicated her career to students with exceptionalities both as a teacher and an administrator. Kristal has 5 years of experience working in the virtual environment.

Email: klockwood@gatewayoh.org
Phone: 216-353-8987

Emily Humphrey is the Student Services Manager at Gateway Online Academy. She graduated from Baldwin-Wallace University with a bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education and earned a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Cleveland State University. Emily has over 15 of experience in education and is passionate about supporting students and helping them set and reach their goals. Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family & pets, reading, and solving crossword puzzles.