Our Staff

  • For email, add @a2schools.org    

    Tracy Anderson

    Advanced Journalism, 20th Century Popular Literature, Creative Writing, Forum
     
    email: andersont
     
    		 Tracy Anderson

    Tracy has been teaching high school since 1997. She is the adviser for "The Communicator" online and print editions, which are student-run publications that have won numerous state and national awards. She also teaches Intro to Literature, Poetry, Modern Readings, Journalism I, Advanced Journalism, and Forum. Tracy loves to spend time with her family, bake cookies, and travel. She co-authored two books that are published by Heinemann: They Still Can't Spell? and Purposeful Writing. Neither of them have been made into movies. Her right arm is significantly stronger than her left thanks to all of the papers she grades.

    LaMar Ashford

    Teaching Assistant
     
    email: ashfordl
    		    

    Bo Bagherpour

    Teaching Assistant
     
    email: bagherpourb
    		    

    Jefferson Bilsborrow

    Secretary to the Dean
     
    email: bilsborrow
     
    		    

    Traci Blancke

    School Social Worker

    email: blancket

    		 Traci Blancke

    I am the social worker at CHS. It’s exciting to be a Zebra! I am originally from Iowa, and have since lived, studied, and worked in different parts of the country and world. Most recently, I landed in Michigan where I live with my husband Mike and two 15 year old cats, Micio and Joni. I found the social work profession while teaching high school English and English as a Second Language and have been a social worker ever since (about 10 years). I am a vegetarian who enjoys swimming, hiking, and visiting local coffee shops with friends.

    Becky Brent

    Health & Wellness, Forum

     

    email: brentr

    		 Becky Brent
    Please, call me Becky! I have 16 years of experience teaching students about Health, with a BS in School Health Studies from Western Michigan University and an MA in Quality Schools from Graceland University. I marvel at the interconnectivity of the mind, the body, and the spirit, and look forward to sharing this space with students at Community this year. I am learning and growing every day, personally and professionally, and respect my students' capacity to do the same. When I'm taking a break from teaching, you can usually find me outside with family and friends or working as a massage therapist with a small collection of dedicated clients.
     

    Monica Bruell

    Teaching Assistant
     
    email: bruellm
    		    

    Amy Cline

    Occupational Therapist
     
    email: clinea
    		    

    Steve Coron

    Digital Photography, Yearbook, Italian Art & Culture,
     Photography/Film,
    Advanced Art Portfolio Development, Open Studio, Forum
     
    email: coron
     
     
    		 Steve Coron
    I have had the distinct privilege of teaching at Community since 2003, and have served as a teacher in the Ann Arbor schools since 1989. I previously taught kindergarten and preschool for the University of Michigan. I currently teach classes in photography, drawing and painting, open studio, Italian Art and Culture, Advanced Art/Portfolio Development, and Yearbook. I have a wonderful Forum group that makes me smile and laugh every day! I am a practicing artist, currently working on a body of photographic pieces based on how humans interact with landscape. I am a native of the Upper Peninsula, and presently live in Ypsilanti with my wife Karie and two children, Philip and Julia, and our German Shepherd sisters.

    Kevin Davis

    Community Assistant 
     
    email: davisk
     
    		    

    Lawrence DeWolf

    Personal Fitness
     
    email: dewolfl
    		    

    Dianne Down

    Algebra II
     
    email: down
         		    

    Dianne Dudley

     
    Personal Fitness, Weight Training, A2 Virtual, Forum
     
    email: dudleyd
     
    		 Dianne Dudley I love teaching Fitness and Forum at Community High School. I appreciate using the community as an extended classroom. My students enjoy some of our class activities at the Arboretum, Argo Pond Loop, Wheeler Park, and the cascades.

    Gretchen Eby

    Counseling Office Secretary
     
    email: ebyg
     
    		 Gretchen Eby

    Gretchen has been the Counseling Office Secretary since 2015 and feels fortunate to be working at such a fantastic school. She has three sons who all are CHS graduates. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family and friends, travel, run, knit, sew, and read.

    Monica Groeneveld

    Computer Tech Wizard

    email: groeneve

    		    

    Emma Hamstra

    American Literature, Forum

    email: hamstrae

    		    

    Marci Harris

    French 1, French 4
     
    email: harrism
    		  Marci Harris This is my 2nd year teaching French I and French IV at Community. I graduated from the University of Michigan over 30 years ago, moved to Chicago, and started teaching French in West Aurora Schools. I moved back to Michigan a few years later after immersing myself in the French language at Université Laval. I spent the next 22 years teaching French at Slauson Middle School, earning my Master's Degree in French at EMU, and traveling to Quebec and France when I could. "To have another language is to possess a second soul." - Charlemagne

    Sarah Hechler

    World History
     
    email: hechlers
     
     
    		 Sarah Hechler  I grew up in Mount Rainier, MD, just outside of Washington, D.C. After graduating in 2008, I  went to Kenyon College, where I majored in American Studies with a concentration in Environmental Studies, and minored in Italian. After college I worked as a travel agent for six years, specializing in arranging trips for clients to the South Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, and Hawaii. I moved with my now-husband to Ann Arbor in the fall of 2014. I attended U of M 2016-2017 for my Master of Arts in Educational Studies, during which time I did my student teaching at Community. I have taught U.S. History, World History, and Economics for the past two years at Skyline, and also taught a CR course at CHS on the History of the Pacific Islands. I live in Ypsi with my husband, Jeff, and our cat, Fermata. In my spare time I pursue a number of hobbies: gardening, going for long walks and hikes, sewing (especially vintage patterns), playing board games, and going to the movies. I love the arts, and at the moment am enjoying watercolor painting and learning the accordion. I love theatre, especially musicals. I'm so excited for this year!

    Joslyn Hunscher-Young

    Social Studies, Spanish
     
    email: hunscheryoungj
    		  Joslyn Hunscher-Young

    As a graduate of CHS who was given the mock award of "Most Likely to Teach at CHS" from the Communicator staff her senior year, Joslyn was excited to rejoin the Rainbow Zebra family amidst the tumultuous start of the 2020-2021 academic year. Passionate about critical thinking, active inquiry, and thoughtful communication, she is excited to teach, learn, and engage with students, staff, families, and community members to make the world more just and better for us all. And if she can do that while gardening, trying new recipes, exploring nature, and/or doing mind puzzles, then all the better.

     

    Janelle Johnson

    Community Resource, Social Justice, Forum
     
    email: johnsonja
    		  
    I was born and raised in Ann Arbor and I am a former Pioneer. I have been teaching in AAPS for 11 years and I absolutely love it! My first degree is in advertising and, after a short nine months, I decided to go back to college to become a teacher. It was one of the best decisions I made!
     

     Matthew Johnson

    Introduction to Literature,
    Composition/Art of Writing, Harlem Literature,
    Forum
     
    email: johnsonm

     
    		  
    Though Matt only officially became a Rainbow Zebra in 2014, he has been a longtime fan of Community High School. As an Ann Arbor student, he took classes and CRs through CHS and in 2006, he sought out CHS for his student teaching. At CHS he teaches The Art of Writing, Harlem Renaissance Literature, and Intro to Literature. He is also the advisor for Forum Council and leader of the amazing Johnson Forum. Along with that, he is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Lewis & Clark College, the author of Finding Success the First Year: A Survivor's Guide for New Teachers, and the cofounder of the Mindful Writing program.
     

    Angela Keene

    CHS Building Substitute Teacher
     
    email: keenea
    		    

    Courtney Kiley

    Ecology, Foundations of Science (FOS) I & II, Forum
     
    email: kileyc
     
    		 Courtney Kiley
    Born and raised in Ann Arbor, I always wanted to go to Community. That didn't quite pan out in high school, so I feel fortunate to have been hired to teach science and be a Forum leader at CHS. I love working with such inspiring colleagues and students! Outside school, I love biking, hiking, and spending time with my family.
     

    Brett Kilgore

    Economics, Geometry, Forum
     
    email: kilgorer
    		 Brett Kilgore
    I serve in two departments here at Community: Social Studies and Math. I love teaching economics and geometry, and have an absolute blast as a Forum leader. Prior to teaching at Community, I lived in quite a few places, including Utah, Ohio, Washington, and even Australia for a summer. Now, though, I am thankful to call Ann Arbor home. As U of M grads, my wife and I love this town and are grateful to raise our son and daughter here.
     

    Pam Kirchen

    Independent Learning Center (ILC)
     
    email: kirchen
     
    		  
    I have been a staff member at Community for over 20 years and a proud member of the Ann Arbor Public Schools for nearly 30 years. I am married and have two children, both graduates of CHS. I work in the Individualized Learning Center (ILC), an academic support center.
     

    George Lancaster

    Engineering & Design, Computer Science--Java, Python, Mobil App Development, Principles of Engineering
     
    email: lancasterg
     
     
    		 George Lancaster This is my fourth year teaching at Community and 17th year as a teacher. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I spent the next ten years as a design and project engineer of automotive safety products, primarily steering wheels and airbags. I then returned to school to earn a teaching certificate. I love sharing my experience in engineering, math, physics, and computer science with everyone at Community High.

     Laurel Landrum

    Spanish 1, 2, & 3
     
     
    email: landruml
    		 Laurel Landrum
    I have been teaching Spanish in AAPS since 2006 and have been lucky to be at Community since then. I have a BA from the University of Michigan in Psychology, a BS in Spanish and Education from Eastern Michigan University, and an MA in Language Learning from Wayne State University. I was born and raised in Ann Arbor, attending Newport (remember?), Wines, Forsythe, and Pioneer. It is a privilege to raise my two daughters, Sabine and Laida, in the same great community where I grew up. I enjoy geeking out with teacher friends about language acquisition and curriculum design, but I'll only bore you with that if you ask. I love to travel, garden, and spend time with family and friends.
     
     

    Craig Levin

    Geometry, Pre-calculus
     
    email: levin

     

    		 Craig Levin
    Craig has been teaching math at Community since 1999. He works diligently to support all his students through their trials and tribulations throughout their math career. Originally from Chicago where he taught for CPS a few years, he loves Community and has made solid roots here in treetown with his wife, Gabrielle, and girls, Ariana and Skye.
     

    Krystie Linton

    Teacher Consultant

    email: lintonk

    ILC Information

    		 Krystie Linton Can't Live Without: music, sunshine, Lake Michigan, family & friends, chocolate, road trips, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, witty magnets, reruns of General Hospital from the 1990s

    Unpopular Opinions: coffee should never be iced, you never grow too old for sledding or playgrounds, social media platforms are fairly boring

    Obscure Skills: wicked awkward mom dance moves, ability to quickly change song lyrics to match the situation or mood, capacity to misplace cell phone in seconds

    Most Likely To: adopt another senior dog from the Huron Valley Humane Society, get lost in Ann Arbor, shelve and organize items in store while shopping, laugh like a cartoon villain, love teaching for another 20 years!

    Maneesha Mankad

    Algebra II, Calculus, Forum
     
    email: mankadm
    		 Maneesha Mankad I have been teaching at Community High School since 2014. I am excited about being part of a professional community that values personal relationships and invests in the academic, emotional, and social growth of our students. I am passionate about making mathematics education relevant and equitable for all students. I love theater, music, dance, and reading, and I love spending time with my family.

    Marcy McCormick

    Foundations of Science (FOS) I, II, & III
     
    email: mccormick
    		 Marcy McCormick
    Marcy has been teaching science for 17 years; this is her 8th year teaching at Community. She couldn't be happier being a Rainbow Zebra! She has taught FOS 1, FOS 2, and FOS 3, and loves the Foundations of Science curriculum. She feels very lucky that she gets to work every day with such an incredible group of students and colleagues. When Marcy isn't teaching, she enjoys being outdoors, staying active playing Ultimate Frisbee on a club team, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
     

    Kelly McGuire

    Speech Language Pathologist
     
    email: mcguirek
    		    

    Amy McLoughlin

    Counselor
     
    email: mclough
     
    		 Amy McLoughlin I am super FIRED UP to be a zebra. I have been a counselor with AAPS for 11 years (Skyline for 9 years and 1 year at Pioneer). I live in A2 with my ridiculously brilliant wife, Callie, and our two dogs, Jojo and Pearl.

    Karen Moorhead

    Attendance, Book Depository, Library Office Professional
     
    email: moorheadk
    		    

    Danelle Mosher

    French 2 & 3,
    Community Resource
     
    email: mosher
     
    		 Danelle Mosher
    I've been teaching French and Forum and monitoring CRs at CHS since 1994 and am very happy to be here. In addition to teaching French, I run the Community Resource department, lead Forum, and advise Service Club. I have three children, and a husband who is a teacher in the district as well. Outside of teaching, I love to travel, knit, read, garden, and spend time with my family.
     
     

    Jen Niner

    American Sign Language (ASL) 1, 2, & 3/4
     
    email: postj
     
    		  Jen Niner

    I love teaching American Sign Language (ASL) and am very excited to be teaching at Community. ASL is my first language—both my parents are deaf. I love being able to share my knowledge of ASL with my students. I have been in Ann Arbor Public Schools for 10 years and have been teaching ASL online for the past 5 years. I got married in the summer of 2016 and had a name change (it used to be Post). I enjoy vacations, especially going camping with our new camper.

     

    Beth Portincasa

    Art and Design, Ceramics
     
    email: portincasa
     
     
    		 Beth Portincasa
    I was born and raised in Ann Arbor and graduated from EMU with a Bachelor of Art Education, and then received a Master's Degree in Sculpture. My first professional teaching job was at West Village Academy in Dearborn, then I taught at Belleville High School, Ecorse Community High School, and Onsted High School before coming back home to Ann Arbor Public Schools in 2012. This year I will be splitting between Community and Pathways, allowing me to provide a positive impact on a variety of young students in this community. I love to spend my extra time with my husband, Joel, and my two girls, Gwenlyn and Cora. Things I like to watch grow: my students, my garden, and Monarch butterflies.

    Katie Richardson

    Independent Learning Center (ILC)
     
    email: richardk
    		 Katie Richardson
    I have been working in Ann Arbor Public Schools for many years. I feel so grateful to work with such an amazing staff and wonderful students! I encourage a home and school connection. I pride myself in my ability to form meaningful connections with students and their families to foster student growth. I am committed to supporting students' needs and helping them gain access to the core curriculum.
     
     

    Chloe Root

    Government, Gender Studies, U.S. History,
    Forum
     
    email: rootc

     

    		 Chloe Root This is my 11th year teaching in AAPS and I am so lucky to be here. This is my 10th year teaching at Community, but we go way back. Our previous adventures together include my being a high school student, a student teacher, and a part-time teacher. I teach U.S. History, Government, Gender Studies, Mock Trial (8-time State Champs!), and my beloved and entertaining Forum. I am also lucky enough to be the staff advisor for the Queer Straight Alliance (QSA). I believe Community is one of the best high schools in the world, and even the toughest days here are marked by the kindness, creativity, and hilarity of the students and staff. After graduating from Community, I attended Brown University, where I received my Bachelor's degree in US History and Gender Studies, and Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan, where I got my Master's degree in Secondary Social Studies Education. I live with my sweet old dog, Carmen, and am grateful to have my family in town.

    Katy Sanderson

    Records Clerk, Scheduling, and CR Secretary
     
    email: sandersk
     
    		   Katy is the Office Administrator in the Community Resource Office, the Records Clerk for enrollments and graduated student transcripts, and the Building Scheduler for PowerSchool. She has been at Community since 2008, originally working in the Main Office as the Attendance/Book Depository secretary. She loves working with the great kids and staff at Community and enjoys being in downtown Ann Arbor everyday. She looks forward to kayaking every summer with her husband in northern Michigan and hiking in the Pacific Northwest.

    Jeri Schneider

    School Librarian
     
    email: schneidj
    		 Jeri Schneider
    Jeri is the librarian at Community. Her love affair with libraries began in 1986 when, while studying history, she became a clerk/driver of the bookmobile for the Ann Arbor Public Library. Since then she has earned a Bachelor's in history, a Master's in the Science of Information, and teaching certification from U of M. She manages the library, promotes reading, helps troubleshoot technology issues, and teaches information and research skills. Away from work, Jeri enjoys hanging out with friends and family, reading, running, biking, canoeing, and cooking and baking delicious vegan food. Her current favorite quote is: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." (Maya Angelou)
     

    Marie Scott

    Teacher Consultant
     
    email: scottw
    		 Marie Scott I have been a teacher in Ann Arbor since 2016. I spent the first 3 1/2 of those years as a Teacher Consultant at Skyline. Prior to landing in Ann Arbor, I served as an Intervention Specialist in Toledo for 18 years. I am passionate about social justice, especially racial and gender-focused initiatives. I am the biological mother of three, although many of my past and present students refer to me as "Mom." I am happy to be a member of the Community/Ann Arbor Open family!

    Ryan Silvester

    U.S. History, World History & Geography
     
    email: silvesterr
    		 Ryan Silvester This is my second year at Community High School! I am teaching U.S. History and World History, both of which are absolute passions of mine. I grew up in Ann Arbor and attended Huron High School. That said, I am glad to get the opportunity to be a Rainbow Zebra!

    Elizabeth Stern

    Foundations of Science (FOS) I & III,
    Forensics, Forum
     
    email: stern
     
    		 Liz Stern
    Liz has worked at Community her entire career. She loves teaching science with fabulous colleagues to engaging students.
     
     

    Quinn Strassel

    Modern Dram Literature, Community Ensemble Theatre (CET) Director
     
    email: strassel
    		 Quinn Strassel
    Quinn has been teaching at Community since 2010, where he also directs the Community Ensemble Theatre (CET). He feels so lucky to be working his dream job, teaching theatre classes and directing an afterschool theatre program. He currently teaches at Community, Clague, and Pathways to Success. He has been teaching for ten years--seven in Ann Arbor and three in Brooklyn, NY. He received a BFA in Theatre Performance from U of M in 2001, teaching certification from Eastern Michigan University in 2002, and a Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University in 2007. He has been married for 15+ years and is the proud father of two beautiful children.
     

     Michael Strugala

    Teaching Assistant
     
    email: strugalam
    		 Michael Strugula Michael's background experience entails working for several parks and recreation departments, nonprofits, and school districts (Redford, Ypsilanti, and Ann Arbor) in the metro-Detroit area. He graduated from Western Michigan University where he double-majored in Political Science and Communications, with a minor in Criminal Justice. He earned a graduate degree from Eastern Michigan University in Geography with emphasis on Environmental and Transportation Planning issues. He thoroughly enjoyed his college experience and was involved in extracurricular activities. One piece of advice he would like to give seniors: Get out and participate in a student group/campus organization in college! Make it fun! In his free time, you can catch him outdoors camping, hiking, kayaking, exploring, volunteering, reading a wide range of literature, and playing board games with friends. He is excited to be here at Community working with a versatile staff and engaged students!

     Kim Tehranipour

    Teaching Assistant
     
    email: tehranik
    		    

    Anne Thomas

    Algebra I, Calculus, Math Support, Forum
     
    email: thomas
     
    		 Anne Thomas
    Anne Thomas has been teaching at CHS for more years than she can count. She loves her job and is fortunate to work with students and staff who share her passion for learning. She is both a Forum leader and a math teacher, as well as a wife and mother.
     

    Jonathan Thomas-Palmer

    Foundations of Science (FOS) IV
     
    email: thomaspalmerj
     
     
    		 Jonathan Thomas-Palmer
    Non-matching sock wearing proud father of two daughters. Part-time high school physics teacher and owner of Flipping Physics®, a one employee business dedicated to providing the world with free, entertaining educational physics videos which anyone can use to learn physics and teachers can use to flip their students’ learning. Devoted husband of substance abuse prevention social worker and incredible wife. Maker and wearer of tie-dyes.
     

    Jack Wagner

    Jazz I, II, III, IV
     
    email: wagnerj

     
    		 Jack Wagner
    Jack feels so fortunate to be the Jazz Program Director at Community which, to him, is a dream job! Jack has been at CHS since 2008. Jazz performance and pedagogy are his passions, so teaching jazz combos all day to dedicated students is a real delight. The CHS Jazz students are getting hands on experience, playing frequent gigs and concerts. They also get to work with Grammy winners and world-class musicians during CHS Jazz Guest Artist Series master classes, a program Jack began in 2008. Jack loves jazz history and sharing what he knows in this field, and he loves playing his saxophone. Jack recently wrote the jazz and improvisation textbook The Straight Ahead Toolshed: 55 Tools for the Beginning Jazz Musician. Jack lives happily with his wife, Jaimie, and their two children, Natalie and Zachary. They are extremely fun. Jack also likes to run, SCUBA dive, tinker around the house, hike, and camp in the mountains.
     

    Bryant Weems

    Teacher Consultant

    email: weemsb

    ILC Information

    		    

     Christia West

    Foundations of Science (FOS) II & III, Forum
     
    email: westch
     
    		 Christia West
    Teaching is my passion and I've been fortunate to be a part of the CHS community since 2014. What I enjoy most is getting to know my students through Forum, coaching Team 5708 (Go Zebrotics!), and FOS classes. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time on (and in) the water. I love living in Michigan, and there are still places here I would like to explore in my kayak, or on my bike. My more sedate hobbies include reading, knitting and playing board games
      

    Jessika Whiteside

    English Language Arts
     
    email: whitesidej
    		  Jessika Whiteside

     This is my first year at Community and I’m so excited to be here! I have been teaching for over 15 years since graduating from the University of Michigan, where I majored in creative writing and English with a Spanish minor. I also have an MA in social foundations from Eastern Michigan and another MA in TESOL from Madonna. In the summers I love to travel and go on fun adventures with my kids who are 10, 6, and 2. I adore all forms of coffee and the color cerulean. I’m also very passionate about social justice. You can always find me reading, listening to an audiobook, or writing - if I’m not, I’m probably thinking about doing one of those things! I live in Canton with my three sons, three parakeets, husband, and Beefy the bulldog.

    Sarah Wiest

    English Language Arts
     
    email: wiests
    		    

    Brian Williams

    Counselor
     
    email: willia18
     
    		 Brian Williams
    This is my 12th year with AAPS and 6th year at Community High School. When I am not busy counseling our Rainbow Zebras, my home team is renovating a 140 year old farmhouse out in Chelsea. On my off nights, I will pick up my sticks and play some drums with a couple of bands in the Ann Arbor area.
     

    Sandra Wong

    School Psychologist
     
    email: wongs
    		 Sandra Wong
    Sandra is a transplant from California, but has been living in Ann Arbor since 2006. She received her doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and previously worked for Oakland Public Schools, Ypsilanti Public Schools, and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. She is excited to be working in Ann Arbor where there is such a diverse and open community, and where parents are invested in their children’s education.

    Olivia Wylie

    Spanish 4/5

    email: wylieo

     

    		    

    Michelle Yager

    Pre-calculus, Math Support

    email: yagerm