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Faculty
Heather Dorogi, Kindergarten Teacher
hdorogi@charterschoolpartners.com
Mrs. Dorogi’s teaching philosophy is that she is a teacher to educate, motivate, and inspire her students. She believes in helping her students have a positive experience everyday in the classroom. All of her students come to school with a wide variety of experiences and background knowledge and she believes it is her job as their teacher to build on those experiences and further their learning. She believes that all children can learn and have an enormous potential for learning. She holds herself accountable to learn each child´s stage of development and to create differentiated instruction to help them succeed. It is also her goal to help each individual child do their best and reach their highest potential. Mrs. Dorogi graduated in 2004, Cum Laude, from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and her certification. Her major was Language Arts and her minor Social Studies. She is currently seeking her Masters degree in Reading and Literacy K-5 from Marygrove College. She hopes to finish in the next 2 years. Mrs. Dorogi has worked diligently, since 2004, in both the Berkley and Royal Oak schools districts. She has taught kindergarten, 1st grade, a 1st grade/2nd grade split classroom, and 4th grade. She has learned a great deal from each experience but believes her true passion is for kindergarten.
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Jerolean Ellis, Kindergarten Teacher
jellis@charterschoolpartners.com
I believe our purpose as a teacher is to introduce the young child to the wonders of this world. We must open each child to ways of understanding, utilizing, relating and causing positive changes to and in his/her environment. Through recognizing the multiple intelligences of children, we must teach to their developmental abilities with activities which promote learning in the necessary curricular areas. Class materials must promote creativity, positive reinforcement, student accountability, increased proficiency in technology, and provide cooperative and independent activities. We must meet the individual and special needs of our students to prepare them to become assets to their community. Our relationship with students must show trust, appreciation and fairness toward each child.
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Krysten Buckley, First Grade Teacher
kbuckley@charterschoolpartners.com
Krysten Buckley has taught first grade here at Crescent Academy for the past six years. She completed her undergraduate program at Oakland University with a major in mathematics. Last December she completed her Master’s program at the same school and earned Early Childhood and Reading Specialist endorsements. She loves being a teacher and believes that with the right tools all of her students will become as passionate about learning as she is. She understands that no two children learn in the exact same way, but that the expectations should be set high no matter what abilities they possess. With a safe and nurturing classroom, along with your support, the students will continue to shine!
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Heather Quinlan, First Grade Teacher
hquinlan@charterschoolpartners.com
My name is Heather Quinlan and I am eager and excited to begin my 6th year of teaching with Crescent Academy this Fall. This will be my 4th year teaching First Grade, and I love it! I began my journey in education by completing my Bachelor of Arts degree in 2004 at Grand Valley State University (Go Lakers!) with an emphasis in Elementary Education, Language Arts, and a minor in History. Presently, I am obtaining a dual-Masters from Oakland University in Reading Instruction and Early Childhood. I not only have obtained Michigan teaching certification in Elementary Education K-6, but also Language Arts 6-8, Early Childhood, and as a Reading Specialist. Yes, reading is my passion – but to share that passion with young children is the greatest gift!
My teaching philosophy is to create and maintain a positive learning environment with students that is safe, challenging, and fosters lifelong learners that strive to learn more about the core-academic subjects and the world around us. Students in my classroom will not only exceed their individual academic needs, but also learn to work cooperatively with others as contributing members of society through various service learning projects. Last, but certainly not least, my students remember that it’s easier to smile than to frown and that laugher IS the best medicine.
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Adrienne Chadwick, Second Grade Teacher
achadwick@charterschoolpartners.com
Adrienne Chadwick has taught at Crescent Academy for four years. Previously she has taught kindergarten and this year, pending State funding, will serve as the Early childhood Director and preschool teacher. Otherwise she will teach second grade. Prior to her employment at Crescent Academy she worked for the YWCA Downriver outreach program. In this position she was employed as a preschool teacher in Grosse Ile where she began to develop a curriculum based on the State of Michigan Standards of Quality for Early Childhood and presented at monthly parent meetings, on the growth and progress of the students based on this curriculum. In combination with the preschool position she ran a weekly after school enrichment program at Taft Elementary School in Wyandotte for students in grades first-fifth. After graduation from college, Ms. Chadwick worked as a substitute teacher for Woodhaven-Brownstown School District.
Ms. Chadwick graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and earned her Master’s in Early Childhood Education this past December from Eastern Michigan University.
Ms. Chadwick believes that all students can learn and it is up to the educator to utilize different methods of teaching to reach the various learning modalities of the students. Most importantly Ms. Chadwick has very high expectations of her students academically, behaviorally and in their social interactions regardless of age or grade level. Ms. Chadwick’s students know that her expectations of them are as the expectations that she has for her own children.
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Candice Miller, Second Grade Teacher
cmiller@charterschoolpartners.com
I love to learn and I want to pass on that love of learning to my students. I want my students to know that knowledge is power. I learned at a very young age from my parents the value of an education and the importance of being a responsible citizen in the community. I want to instill the importance of those values in the classroom. I discovered my love for teaching while volunteering in a first grade class in high school. I knew back then that I wanted to make a difference in someone else’s life. I then went on to receive my bachelors in Elementary Education from Wayne State University in 2001. In 2006 I received my masters in reading from The University of Michigan. This will be my eighth year of teaching. I have done one year of fourth grade and the rest in second grade. I love teaching and look forward to having your child in my classroom. Further, I look forward to meeting and working with you to make sure that your student has a wonderful and successful year in second grade.
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Catherine Perry, Third Grade Teacher
cperry@charterschoolpartners.com
I am a graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. In addition, I have an Associate of Science in Urban Elementary Education from WCCCD. I am currently enrolled in a Special Education Masters program through WSU. I have taught for two and a half years. Also, I enjoy reading, gardening, cooking, and most of all traveling. I bring with me to Crescent Academy, two and a half years of experience as a certified elementary teacher. I have had the privileged to teach second, third, and fifth grade. I completed my student teaching at Horace Mann Learning Elementary School. Also, as a substitute teacher here at Crescent Academy, I taught Art and computer for five months in grades K-8. In addition, I taught second grade for the YMCA Service Learning Academy of Detroit, MI, prior to receiving my certification.
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Taquish Smith, Third Grade Teacher
tsmith@charterschoolpartners.com
Mrs. Smith has been a part of Crescent Academy’s teaching staff for six out of her eight years of teaching. She has taught grades 3-5 and currently teaches third grade. Prior to becoming a full time teacher, Mrs. Smith was a substitute in all grades K-8 for two years at various schools in and around the Detroit area.
Mrs. Smith received her bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University in 2000. In 2001, she began course work leading to her receiving teacher certification in Elementary Education from Marygrove College. Mrs. Smith recently enrolled in University of Phoenix’s master program for curriculum and instruction.
Mrs. Smith believes that all students are capable of learning and reaching their full potential with positive expectations from their teachers and with parental support. She also believes that a welcoming and engaging environment plays a major roll in educational success. Mrs. Smith believes that no child should be left behind and this is achieved by reaching all learners through plans that are modified for different learning styles and different levels of readiness.
When she is not working as a teacher, Mrs. Smith enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons.
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Augusta Bonner, Fourth Grade Teacher
abonner@charterschoolpartners.com
My teaching philosophy is, all students can learn. My desire is to provide students with a loving and enjoyable learning environment. I will help the students to build self-esteem, develop lifetime learning skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Students will be encouraged to become productive, respectful, caring and confident citizens for our society. Students will always be encouraged to do their best.
I graduated from Grand Rapids Junior College, Grand Rapids, Michigan with an Associate Degree in 1976. I received my BA Degree in Elementary Education in 1979 from Michigan State University. I have attended Wayne State University and enrolled in a Masters Program for Reading. I also worked on a Science Endorsement.
I have taught in Public, Christian, and Charter Schools. I have 20 plus years teaching experience in every grade level pertaining to elementary education. I have also taught ESL(English as Second Language) to adults for 1 year.
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Jessica Howe, Fifth Grade Teacher
jhowe@charterschoolpartners.com
Ms. Howe is one of our fifth grade teachers at Crescent Academy. This is her third year at Crescent. She is our morning latchkey coordinator, works with the Middle School students in Saturday School and Summer School, and is an after school tutor.
Ms. Howe attended The University of Michigan, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in math and language arts. Ms. Howe’s philosophy is that all students learn in different ways. She believes that each student’s learning style needs to be used in a classroom, so she teaches her lessons through the different learning styles so that every student has the opportunity to learn the material and fully comprehend.
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April McPherson, Fifth Grade Teacher
amcpherson@charterschoolpartners.com
Mrs. McPherson is the fifth grade teacher this year. This is her second year at Crescent Academy. She brings five years of elementary teaching experience.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Language Arts and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
Mrs. McPherson is a teacher that believes each child is a special individual who is capable of learning despite the background he or she comes from. She is very excited to teach upper elementary this year and looks forward to a full year of learning and growing!
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Colleen Kantz, Grade 6
ckantz@charterschoolpartners.com
Ms. Christoph-Kantz is a sixth grade teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. Ms. Kantz received her teaching certificate from Western Michigan University, while majoring in science, mathematics and elementary education. She is currently working on her Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from Eastern Michigan University.
She has successfully taught middle school students for the last four years. She is extremely is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of her students, while instilling a love of learning. When Ms. Kantz is not teaching she is playing with her daughter, swimming at the YMCA, or cheering on her favorite sports teams the Detroit Tigers or the MSU Spartan Football.
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John Wilson, Social Studies Teacher, Grades 6-8
jwilson@charterschoolpartners.com
This is Mr. Wilson´s 2nd year at Crescent Academy. He graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in 2007.
"I believe I can bring educational tools that strive to help a student become a responsible, respectful, and diverse life-long learner. I believe a positive and encouraging teacher holds the key to unlocking a student’s world of thought; therefore, I aim to guide my students in developing the skills and knowledge necessary in becoming mature, contributing members of our society." - Mr. Wilson
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Amanda Koch, Language Arts, Grades 7-9
akoch@charterschoolpartners.com
Ms. Koch went to Eastern Michigan University. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English, sociology, and women’s studies to teach 6th-12th graders. Through her schooling, research, and teaching experience, she has come to develop a style of teaching that goes beyond the curriculum.
Through reading and writing, she hopes her students will gain a deeper understanding of how to thrive in the world around them. Ms. Koch has always found reading and writing important, but knows how essential it is to have students grow up to be motivated and successful members of society. She also hopes to instill a love of literature and expressing yourself through writing that will last a lifetime.
Ms. Koch has been able to practice her passion for education while teaching 10th and 11th graders in Detroit the past two years. She learned there how important it is to have the young people of Detroit rise up and take back their city. She thought it was important to help students with community service projects and to find internships in the city with the goal of bettering Detroit.
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Jamie Goliday, Math, Grades 7-9
Jamie Goliday-Foster graduated from Oak Park High School. After high school Jamie went onto Central Michigan University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Physical Education. While, at Central Michigan she joined several organizations such as Organization of Black Unity (OBU), Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA), and Americorps. Furthermore, Jamie plans to continue her education at Central Michigan University as a graduate student part-time.
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Kelli Baligian, Literature 9/Reading 7-9
kbaligian@charterschoolpartners.com
Having a good education is every individuals’ human right. I try to encourage my students to value their education as much as they value their other human rights. I teach by making real world connections with the curriculum to my students’ lives. My goal this year is to get my students really excited about reading. This year, I have chosen some excellent books that I’m sure my students will love.
I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2005, with a degree in Secondary English and History Education. I plan to begin to purse a master’s degree in Special Education starting the winter of 2010.
I have three and a half years of teaching experience. I taught 7-8 grade language arts and social studies for two and a half years at Ledford Middle School in Thomasville, NC. Last year, I taught 6-8 grade writing at Crescent Academy. This year I am teaching 7-9 grade reading.
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Rachel Mills, Science Teacher, Grades 7-9
rmills@charterschoolpartners.com
Mrs. Mills is currently our 7, 8, and 9th grade Science Teacher here at Crescent Academy. This is her second year of teaching. Prior to this, she has been a guest teacher in various school districts around Oakland County. She graduated high school from Troy High School and then she went to Oakland University where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Science and Math in 2004. Currently Mrs. Mills is pursuing her Masters degree in Masters of Arts in Reading and Language Arts with an endorsement in Early Childhood at Oakland University. She is also the soccer coach, president of the Junior National Honor Society, and teaches both Saturday school and summer school here at Crescent. When she is not teaching she is watching Michigan football, collecting anything that is pink, golfing, coaching soccer, spending time with family and friends and hanging out with her husband and her dog Ellie.
My teaching philosophy lies in the belief that all children learn at different rates and in different ways. In my classroom, I recognize the various of learners and teach according to their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, a safe space is created where all students are encouraged to take risks in order to learn! I believe in creating a community of learners by providing students with a safe, risk-free environment in which all students feel comfortable to be themselves and share their ideas. I encourage, and expect, students to take responsibility over themselves and their actions.
In our classroom we value teamwork and, as a result, we are working hard to learn not only how to work together, but also how everyone can, and has a responsibility to, help one another. Lastly, I value cooperation and collaboration both in my classroom and as I work with my peers. I believe that great things can happen when we work together!
I look forward to getting to know you and your child and encourage you to contact me with any questions or comments you may have!
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Sara Thiesmeyer, Physical Education K-8
sthiesmeyer@charterschoolpartners.com
This is Ms. Thiesmeyer’s sixth year teaching physical education and her third year at Crescent Academy. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science with a major in physical education and a minor in health. She is continuing her education currently working towards a Masters of Science Education focusing on Teacher Leadership. Before coming to Crescent Academy, Ms. Thiesmeyer worked for a program which allowed her to travel around to different Catholic schools teaching physical education. She has taught at St. Scholastica, St. Mary’s of Redford, and Holy Redeemer. She also coached girl’s freshman and varsity softball at Ladywood High School.
Ms. Thiesmeyer’s role here at Crescent Academy reaches far beyond teaching. She has coached both Girl’s Basketball and Girl’s Volleyball for the past three years. This year she has taken on a new role as the Athletic Director. With her passion for physical education, she is excited to continue to be a part of the team sports and extra curricular activities program for the students.
Ms. Thiesmeyer’s mission as a physical education teacher is to get students up and moving. She wants them to understand that physical activity is an important part of a healthy body and mind. Her job is to get her students active regardless of their level of athleticism. Each child has the ability to be good at some physical activity. Ms. Thiesmeyer wants to open up their minds to all forms of physical activity so that they can expand and use it long into their adult life. Also, a part of physical activity that is very important and often goes unnoticed is sportsmanship. She wants each student to understand that no matter what they are doing they need to learn how to win and lose regardless of the situation in order to prepare for the future. This goes well beyond learning just the concept. It centers on knowing how to be a winner and how to be a loser. Students need to experience each situation in order to understand how they would feel and how they would and should react.
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Jennifer Abate, Spanish 7-9; Computers K-8
jabate@charterschoolpartners.com
Ms. Abate has six years teaching experience in Michigan, North Carolina, and Tokyo, Japan, with the Department of Defense Dependant Schools. She has taught middle school English, reading remediation, social studies, and Spanish as well as high school English, Honors English, and Spanish I, II, and III. She also spent four years as a director of a learning center in Atlanta, Georgia. She recently worked as a vision therapist for an optometrist in Shelby Township, Michigan.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in English and Spanish and a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan in English Education.
Education is the key to intellectual growth and achievement and comes in many different forms. It can take place in the classroom or in the neon lit streets of Tokyo, Japan. We learn through life experiences and from the knowledge of those we meet.
In the classroom, students take the information and make connections; always reflecting on how the information is essential to growth and development. The curriculum is developed to nurture the student and help him or her become educationally diverse and knowledgeable. This knowledge is then taken into the world to help each child achieve success. All students have the ability and capacity to learn and be successful.
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Matthew Rautio, Music K-9
mrautio@charterschoolpartners.com
Matthew Rautio is the music teacher at Crescent Academy. He attended Wayne State University where he graduated Suma cum Laude with a BA in Instrumental Music Education. His concentration of study was in brass instruments and ensemble directing. Matthew currently plays French horn in Penta Brass, a brass quintet that he co-founded while at Wayne State.
This will be Mr. Rautio’s third year of teaching music at Crescent Academy. Prior to his hiring, he worked with the instrumental programs at L’Anse Creuse High School in Harrison Township, Brenda Scott Middle School in Detroit, and the marching band at Catholic Powers in Flint. His earliest teaching experience was in Junior High, where he taught himself to play the guitar.
Mr. Rautio believes that music is a skill that is born within us all. Although some students discover an aptitude at an early age, many need proper training and encouragement to release the musician inside of them. Any student has the ability to be a brilliant musician with the right amount of training, diligence, and focus. He also believes that music is among the most important subjects that a child can study, especially in the early years. Research has shown that students involved in music are generally more successful in the classroom than are students who are not involved with music. In addition, music creates an instant bond between classmates, and forces cooperation and teamwork. Most importantly, music is fun, and it is Mr. Rautio’s greatest desire to share such a fun activity with his students.
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Elizabeth Laginess, Art, K-9
elaginess@charterschoolpartners.com
This will be my third year teaching Art at Crescent Academy. I hold a Bachelors degree in Visual Arts, a Masters degree in Art Education and my Elementary Certification. I have attended both Albion College and the Rhode Island School of Design. Part of my teaching philosophy is the belief that, as educators, we take on a number of different roles. We need to be evaluators of both students and ourselves on an ongoing basis. We need to be moderators, morale builders and group leaders. As teachers, our goals are many and include the ability to provide successful learning experiences and a safe and positive learning environment. I look forward to reaching these goals with my students and expect that they will work hard to grow and develop throughout the school year.
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Lori Ledyard, Building Substitute
An entrepreneur for twenty years, Ms. Ledyard, successfully managed her own childcare business in the city of Detroit, and is a qualified Child Care Director. She has earned credit hours towards obtaining her degree in Early Childhood Development.
Ms. Ledyard is skilled in planning daily activities and providing a nurturing environment for the development of children. She has worked with a diverse community of children and possesses a heighten sensitivity to the needs of children, including those with special needs.
She attended Grand Canyon College in Phoenix Arizona, Oakland Community College and Henry Ford Community College.
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Kim Love, School Social Worker
klove@charterschoolpartners.com
Kimberly Love received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in 2003. Her specializations include Social Inequality: Race, Class and Gender as well as Law, Criminology and Deviance. Kim also completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in 2004, with a concentration in Interpersonal Practice: Children and Youth. She has five years of experience and has worked with CS Partners for three years. As a member of the Crescent Academy Teacher Support Team, she shares the philosophy that each child with learning challenges, socio-emotional difficulties and overall special needs have the opportunity to develop to their full potential with the support of the Special Education staff, teachers, administrators, and family members.
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Erin Bradley, Special Education
ebradley@charterschoolpartners.com
Erin Bradley received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, and an Early Childhood Endorsement as well as Language Arts Endorsement from Eastern Michigan University in 2003. Erin also completed her M.Ed in Special Education (LD) at the University of Michigan-Flint in 2009. She has worked for 6 years in the field of Special Education. As a member of the Crescent Academy Teacher Support Team, she shares the philosophy that each child with learning challenges, socio-emotional difficulties and overall special needs have the opportunity to develop to their full potential with the support of the Special Education staff, teachers, administrators, and family members.
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Maria Treccapelli, Speech
mtreccapelli@charterschoolpartners.com
Maria Treccapelli received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Michigan State University. She also completed her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Michigan State University. In addition, Maria holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology through the American Speech, Hearing, and Language Association (ASHA). Maria has 15 years of experience in Speech-Language Pathology and has worked in clinical, hospital and school settings. As a member of the Crescent Academy Teacher Support Team, she shares the philosophy that each child with learning challenges, socio-emotional difficulties and overall special needs have the opportunity to develop to their full potential with the support of the Special Education staff, teachers, administrators, and family members.
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