Next Gen Teacher Advisory Committee

District: Harbor Springs Shay Elementary
Years Teaching: 24

What I Teach: Kindergarten

Why I Teach:
I love making a difference in my students’ lives. There’s nothing better than seeing their smiling faces.

Fun Fact:
I also have a degree in Commercial Recreation.

Favorite Book:
Charlotte’s Web is my favorite because of its timeless message of love and friendship.

Travel Dream:
If I could go anywhere, I’d love to explore nature in Alaska!

Superpower Dream:
I would love to be able to fly so I could see the world from a different perspective.

Pets:
2 dogs – Charlie and Tucker

District: Harbor Springs Middle School; Harbor Springs High School
Years Teaching: 22

What I Teach:
Audio Engineering & Video Editing, General Music, and Band

Why I Teach:
I teach to impact the lives of as many students as possible, hoping to create positive influences on the world.

Fun Fact:
Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE 2023)
Avid Certified Instructor (ACI 2024)

Superpower Dream:
If I could have one superpower, it would be to fly.

District: Petoskey Middle School
Years Teaching: 20

What I Teach:
8th Grade ELA and Enrichment

Why I Teach:
I love to inspire and shape the next generation, helping students discover their passions and find their way in the world.

Fun Fact:
I have been to 49 states and 12 countries!

Favorite Book:
The Diary of Anne Frank — it had a profound impact on me as a teen, and now I get to share it with my students.

Travel Dream:
I’d love to visit Australia to experience its natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and unique ecosystems.

Superpower Dream:
Teleportation would be the best superpower — I could travel anywhere, anytime!

District: Petoskey Public Schools
Years Teaching: 29

What I Teach:
K–5 Music, Grades 3–5 Enrichment Choirs, and Enrichment Plays

Why I Teach:
I love bringing music to generations of students and their families.

Fun Fact:
I love to cook using improvisation — it usually turns out great! I even have a cooking page.

Favorite Book:
Charlotte’s Web — we need more Wilburs and Charlottes in the world.

Travel Dream:
I would go back to Italy… for the food, the art, and the architecture!

Superpower Dream:
I would love to ensure everyone is living peacefully while being their authentic selves.

Pets:
2 pugs – Tina and Peanut

District: Char-Em Round Lake Education Center
Years Teaching: 21

What I Teach:
All subjects (online credit recovery) plus Life Skills

Why I Teach:
I teach to help kids, make a difference, and inspire others to be life-long learners.

Fun Fact:
We have a small flock at home: 6 chickens, 5 ducks, and a goose.

Favorite Book:
The Great Gatsby — it addresses people recklessly pursuing the “American Dream” and remains incredibly relevant today.

Travel Dream:
I would go to Europe to explore how the English language became what it is.

Superpower Dream:
Teleportation would free up more time and make travel easier, so I’d love to have it as a superpower.

Pets:
Fen, Foxy, and Terelle

District: Gaylord High School
Years Teaching: 21

What I Teach:
Spanish, Debate, and Forensics; Director for Theater

Why I Teach:
I love the connections I make with people, and I love seeing students make connections (even just one!) with what we’re doing.

Fun Fact:
I’m also a band person — my husband and I met on the marching field at Central Michigan University.

Favorite Book:
To Kill a Mockingbird — social justice is extremely important to me.

Travel Dream:
I would like to go to Cuba. I have a life goal of visiting all 21 Spanish-speaking countries/territories, and Cuban history is fascinating.

Superpower Dream:
I want the ability to draw designs in my head that can automatically translate to paper — it would be incredibly helpful for set designing in our shows!

District: East Jordan Elementary School
Years Teaching: 9

What I Teach:
Grade 4 — all subjects

Why I Teach:
I teach so I can be a difference-maker and empower students to embrace enthusiasm in their education.

Fun Fact:
I love relaxing and reading on my swing set with my dog, Margaret, a Boston Terrier.

Favorite Book:
Tuck Everlasting — it has beautiful, descriptive writing and highlights the importance of embracing life’s journey.

Travel Dream:
I would love to visit New Zealand to explore the areas where The Lord of the Rings was filmed!

Superpower Dream:
I would want to be “Superwoman” so I always have the strength to help others.

District: Charlevoix Elementary School
Years Teaching: 27

What I Teach:
K–6 Music

Why I Teach:
I want my students to experience the same joy and passion I have felt in the performing arts!

Fun Fact:
My younger daughter married someone she performed with in Hello Dolly, and my older daughter was “Dolly the Matchmaker.”

Favorite Book:
The Measure — I’m intrigued by the idea of everyone knowing how long they are going to live.

Travel Dream:
If I could go anywhere, I’d visit Italy to ride in a gondola.

Superpower Dream:
I would choose the superpower of flight so I could enjoy a birds-eye view of the world.

District: Boyne City Public Schools
Years Teaching: 31

What I Teach:
K–5 Music; High School Drama

Why I Teach:
I teach because of the joy I receive from seeing the delight of discovery in learning something new on my students’ faces. I also love sharing my passion for music and the arts — they bring so much joy to our lives.

Fun Fact:
I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes.

Favorite Book:
I enjoy historical fiction — there are too many favorites to pick just one!

Travel Dream:
I love genealogy and would love to learn more about our family who came from Germany in 1850, so I’d love to visit Germany.

Pets:
2 cats — Cosmo and Oliver