STAFF
MEMBERS

Trâm

Hello and welcome, students and parents! I am so excited to lead you through your gymnastics journey. I was raised in Auburn, Washington, and remember falling in love with the sport as I watched the TV movie, Nadia. At the age of ten, my gymnastics journey began, and I committed to learning everything I could. Gymnastics has taught me more than just perseverance; it taught me mental and physical strength, independence, discipline, teamwork, and so much joy!

I am forever grateful for the immeasurable life skills gymnastics has afforded me. I am so fortunate to watch and lead my two beautiful daughters, Kailee and Tessa, on their gymnastics journey in our elite program with the support of my husband, Matt. We know that their successes in the gym translate to the skills required in life outside of the gym, which is the goal we have for every TEGA student.

Megan

Megan is a proud alumnus of The Elite Gymnastics Academy’s competitive team. She trained at TEGA through the end of her senior year of high school until injuries forced her retirement. Megan earned an Education degree from BGSU. Upon graduation, she accepted the position of Program Director for the East Toledo Boys & Girls Club. Family responsibilities called her to move back to Cleveland, leading to her return to coaching at TEGA. Megan’s goal is to bring the joy of gymnastics to the gym through exceptional, high-quality, and cohesive programming. She serves as the gym’s Director of Operations, Team Director, and Developmental Optional Head Coach. 

Megan resides in Mayfield Heights with her family. Her husband, Joe, is a significant source of support for her. Together they have two children (daughter Aedyn and son Zeke) and two dogs. Megan coaches Aedyn and constantly strives to be a better coach and parent for her. Coaching your own child is not for the weak! She is very passionate about organ donation and underwent surgery in August of 2018 to donate 63% of her liver to her mom. Aside from the gym, she also teaches and takes classes at Title Boxing Club. Megan is always on the move and easy to spot in the gym, as she usually has the loudest voice.

Michelle

Michelle has a plethora of professional experience that has led her to becoming the Front Office Director here at TEGA. Between her B.A. in English from Cleveland State University and her time spent as a Manager and Director of Special Events in the hospitality industry, Michelle is more than happy to lend her expertise to our Front Office. Her background in editing and publishing makes her incredibly organized and meticulous. In addition, she is incredibly well-versed in customer service. Her friendly face and bubbly personality is sure to greet you upon entering the gym!

Michelle was the associate editor for two Cleveland-based magazine publications and during this time she edited a children’s book. Following her years in publishing, she began working in the hospitality industry. She was the Manager at a local sports bar & restaurant. From there she moved on to Food for Thought Catering in Mentor, where she served as the Director of Special Events.

Michelle currently resides in Wickliffe with her two cats: Remus & Tonks. A strong supporter of small businesses and community theater, Michelle can often be found reading a book at her local coffee shop or in the audience at a local theater production. 

Samantha

Samantha is a highly experienced Program Director. She has been spearheading gymnastics programs since 2017, owns a swim school, and has degrees in both education and theatre. She loves using her degrees and experience as a collegiate athlete (swimming) to create & implement curriculums that are challenging, fun, developmentally appropriate, and most importantly, safe. Samantha loves working with all students and coaches. Her goal is to help all while consistently striving to find ways to improve our programs. You will find her pretty much everywhere in the gym: bouncing in & out of classes, helping gymnasts & instructors, checking in with parents, and even at the front desk. 

When not in the gym, Samantha can be found at the pool. She owns the British Swim School of Cleveland East Side. Samantha loves that she is able to help kids grow, develop, and build confidence both in the water and the gym. She hopes to open a Solon location in the near future! If Sam isn’t at the gym or pool, she is most likely at the theatre (whether on or off stage), playing board games, or enjoying time with her family and friends. Sam and her husband own a home in the Cleveland area with their beloved pets.

Selena

Coach Selena is a seasoned Xcel Coach and Director from Florida. After deciding to move north to Cleveland, Selena has joined our staff as our Xcel Director and Coach. As a child, she was a competitive team gymnast who switched over to high level power tumbling and competitive cheer. After retiring from power tumbling, she began learning how to coach artistic gymnastics. Her Florida coaching mentor helped Selena transition her passion for physics & technique in tumbling to the other three events. Selena started coaching Xcel Bronze, working her way up to Platinum, and eventually Xcel Program Director. Her excitement for planning, mental performance, and professionalism make her a perfect fit for our Xcel Director here at TEGA.

Outside of gymnastics, Selena is a mother to a boisterous and fierce young girl – who is now also a member of our team gymnastics! She is a devoted sister, daughter, and community member (they all relocated to Cleveland together!). Her family is loving the change in climate and has quickly learned the difference between driving in a hurricane vs. snow.

Kim

Kim started gymnastics in ’96 and began competing in ’99. During her gymnastics career, she won many USAG state, regional and national titles. Kim grew up all over the country and did gymnastics in Connecticut, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Oregon, and Florida. Kim had a successful gymnastics career through level 10 and ended her gymnastics career after her senior year of high school in 2008. She loved the sport too much to step away and began coaching throughout her undergraduate & graduate university years. Over the past 12 years, Kim coached levels 1 – 7 during her time in Florida. Kim moved to Ohio about a year ago for a new role in her full-time career in marketing and is excited to be coaching at TEGA! Kim loves gymnastics, rock climbing, running, cats, traveling, and anything creative she can get her hands on!

Nicole

Nicole has been involved in the sport of gymnastics since age eight. She competed for All-Around Gymnastics Academy in Mentor through her freshman year of high school and then competed for Mayfield High School’s varsity gymnastics team. After high school, Nicole went to Kent State University and earned a B.S. in Health Sciences with a Psychology minor. Following her time at Kent, Nicole began coaching at TEGA and has been here ever since. Nicole has had many roles throughout her years at TEGA, but her main roles include High School Director, Head Coach for Kenston High School & Hathaway Brown’s Varsity Gymnastics Teams, Optional Team Coach, and Xcel Coach. She continues fostering our gymnasts’ love for gymnastics by creating a fun and supportive environment.

After beginning coaching at TEGA, Nicole also earned an M.Ed in Middle Childhood Education at John Carroll University. When she is not at the gym, she teaches math at Chagrin Falls Middle & High Schools. She is highly passionate about working with kids and making a difference in the lives of her students/gymnasts. Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dog outside of work. Nicole sets high standards for herself and her gymnasts and works hard to achieve success.

Taras

Taras has had a remarkable gymnastics journey. At the age of twelve, he was selected to attend the Olympian’s academy a few hours from home in Lviv, the largest city in Western Ukraine, where he would live and study with other top athletes. While attending college to earn a diploma in coaching gymnastics, he competed nationally. Eventually, he would return to his hometown in Ukraine and begin his coaching career for the next eight years. During this time, he successfully trained many gymnasts, two of whom have gone to Olympian school. He also completed two years of athletes geared Army.

Taras had always envisioned himself moving to the United States for a better future and did so in 2002. His wife, Uliana, and his two daughters, Anya and Victoria, train at TEGA. Outside of the gym, Taras enjoys flying a single-engine plane and boating.

Naomi

Naomi has been a vital member of TEGA’s team since 2011. She was our Front Office Director for many years but took a hiatus during Covid. Upon her return, she stepped into a manager role under the Office Director. Naomi is enjoying passing on her vast knowledge of Jackrabbit (our class enrollment system) and family relations to our front office, while enjoying having less responsibility on her plate. She truly enjoys watching the gymnasts fall in love with the sport of gymnastics. Her friendly demeanor and smile are sure to greet you at our door! 

Naomi can be found drinking coffee, spending time with her partner, David, and her cat, Mr. Man