My name is Derek Raddatz.  I am originally from Muskegon, Michigan.  I currently live in Toledo, Ohio.  This is my second year at Lawton and I have loved every minute of being a teacher in this community.  The students, parents, and staff are amazing.  Prior to teaching kindergarten at Lawton I was a first grade teacher in Flint, Michigan.  

When I tell people I teach kindergarten their reaction is usually something like, I could never do that.  How do you do it?  My response is that I have been working with small kids since I was a freshman in college.  For the past 20+ years I have enjoyed working with kids (I think I just told my age).  Anyway, I began my college career at Michigan State University….Go Green!  I studied veterinary medicine, however, after working in the daycare on campus my focus switched to education.  After 2 years I transferred to Grand Valley State University. After a few years at GVSU I moved to Grand Blanc, Michigan.  My college experiences continued where I transferred a final time to the University of Michigan in Flint.  I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan Flint in 2008. I am however a Spartan through and through. 

In my spare time I love spending time with my two children.  Lauren is 10 and in fifth grade.  Nathan is 8 and in third grade.  I also enjoy playing sports, fishing, listening to music, watching movies, and my new found favorite.…cooking. The students in my classroom will hear all kinds of stories ranging from my children to fishing.  Whenever I get the chance I enjoy going back to Muskegon to visit my parents, sister and my nephews.  

Even though I bleed green and white, I love the Ann Arbor community and feel very welcomed by everyone here.  It is my hope that the children I teach come home every day with stories of how much fun they had in school and  how they cannot wait to go back to learn more!