An air of sadness enveloped the Akron Public Schools boardroom on Monday night, as Board of Education President Bruce Alexander asked those in attendance to observe a moment of silence for a teacher who was shot and killed over the weekend.
“Tara L. Clossman was by all accounts an innovative teacher who was loved by her kids and colleagues. She was known for getting her students involved,” Alexander said. “It hit me really hard because she went to school at Firestone with my daughter. They danced together. Sometimes me and her father would be the only two dads at dance practice. It’s just so sad.”
Clossman, 25, of Akron and her boyfriend, Michael V. Lovette, 33, of Massillon were shot about 9 p.m. Saturday in a car in the 900 block of Seventh Street NE in Massillon. Lovette, who was in the driver’s seat, was pronounced dead at Affinity Medical Center in Massillon. Clossman was taken by helicopter to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where she died during surgery.
Massillon police Lt. Jason Saintenoy said charges are pending against Clossman’s ex-boyfriend, Shane Varner, 29, who tried to kill himself at his Jackson Township home. Varner is hospitalized in critical condition.
According to a police report, Lovette and Clossman were preparing to leave Lovette’s house when they were shot.
Clossman, a 2014 Kent State University graduate, was honored last year with the Outstanding Educator Award by the PTA at Voris Community Learning Center, where she taught fourth grade for a year and a half. She was to begin teaching fifth grade at Portage Path Community Learning Center this fall.
“She and her family were just in her classroom last week, getting it set up for the school year,” said Mary Outley-Kelly, executive director of elementary education for Akron schools. “She was a really good teacher, and she is going to be missed.”
In addition to teaching in Akron Public Schools, Clossman was an instructor and member of the competitive dance team at McCardles Dance Studio in Cuyahoga Falls. Her profile on the dance studio’s website said she had danced there for 17 years, taking classes in tap, ballet, pointe and jazz. She started student-teaching at the studio when she was 16.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to combine my love of dance and teaching, as I work with students, parents and their families,” Clossman wrote in her online profile.
At Firestone High School — where she graduated in 2010 — Clossman studied in the Visual and Performing Arts program, concentrating in dance. She spent two summers training at Radio City Music Hall with members of the Rockettes.
She is survived by her parents, Robert and Kathy Clossman; a brother, Luke (Nesrene) Clossman; two sisters, Mei (Kirk) Goodson and Cindy (Trent) Sapper; grandmother, Marla Border; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Eckard Baldwin funeral home, 760 E. Market St., Akron. A funeral service is at 11 a.m. Thursday at Family of Faith United Methodist Church, 800 E. Market St., Akron.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Victim Assistance Program, 150 Furnace St., Akron, OH 44304.
“It’s always difficult when we lose a member of our school community,” said Akron Superintendent David James. “We have crisis intervention teams available at both Voris and Portage Path for our staff, students and parents.”
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.