Our Staff

  • Courtney Alexander

    Speech/Language Pathologist
     

     

    		  

     

    Tracy Anderson

    Journalism, English Language Arts, Yearbook, Forum
     
     
    		 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
     
    		    

    Bo Bagherpour

    Teaching Assistant
     
    		    

    Traci Blancke

    School Social Worker

    email: blancket@a2schools.org

    		 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 throughout my studies and career. Most recently, I landed in Michigan where I live with my partner, three-year-old son, and two energetic cats. 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 13 years). I am a vegetarian who enjoys swimming, hiking, and visiting local coffee shops with friends.

    Erica Brenner

    School Nurse

    email: brennere@a2schools.org

     

    		  
     

    Becky Brent

    Health & Wellness, Forum, Community Resource

    email: brentr@a2schools.org

    		 Becky Brent
    I began teaching students about Health in 2000, with a B.S. in School Health Studies from Western Michigan University, and an M.A. 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.
     

    Shana Cacioppo

    School Psychologist

    email: cacioppos@a2schools.org

    		    

    Joann Constantinides

    Secretary to the Dean
     

     

    		    

    Mary Margaret Cornish

    English Language Consultant
     
     
    		    

    Hannah Crabtree

    she/they
    Art, Forum
     
    		 Hannah Crabtree I have been teaching since 2013 and started at Community in 2022. I also teach studio classes at the Toledo Museum of Art. I’m very passionate about mental health, justice, and how we connect to the world through self-expression. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy playing roller derby, mountain biking, paddle boarding, and being outside.

    Kevin Davis

    Community Assistant 
     
     
    		    

    Dianne Dudley

    Personal Fitness, A2 Virtual, Forum
     
     
    		 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.

    Lisa Durham

    Records Clerk, Scheduling, and CR Secretary
     
    		    

    Sean Eldon

    English Language Arts, Forum
     
    		    

    John Field

    Teaching Assistant

    email: fieldj@a2schools.org

    		    

    Camille Figarra

    she/her/hers
    Occupational Therapist
     
    		 Camille Figarra

    Camille is an Occupational Therapist serving multiple buildings within the Ann Arbor school district. She earned her Master's of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Michigan University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, bowling, softball, and trivia. She also enjoys going to the movies, Detroit sporting events, and theaters for plays or musicals. Her goal is to help students thrive and benefit wholly from the unique opportunities offered at Community High School.

     

    Emma Hamstra

    English Language Arts, Forum

    email: hamstrae@a2schools.org

    		 Emma Hamstra Emma is a lifelong townie, with brief stops in Washington, D.C., and Dallas, TX. She is a proud product of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, by way of Burns Park, Tappan, and Pioneer. She graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in English and Women’s and Gender Studies, and from Eastern Michigan University with an M.A. in Teaching. Her academic interests include feminist literary criticism, comic books, confessional poetry, pop culture, spoken word, rap music, and the avant-garde. In her free time, she is the assistant coach for the multi-state champions Huron women’s field hockey team, practices yoga, bakes, and hangs out with her dog, T.S. Eliot.

    Marci Harris

    she/her/elle
    French
     
    		  Marci Harris I teach French I, French II, and French IV at Community, and I am the K-12 District Curriculum Coordinator for World Languages in AAPS. 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.

    Sarah Hechler

    History, Forum
     
     
     
    		 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 taught U.S. History, World History, and Economics for 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

    History, Forum, Community Resource, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator
     
    		 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, Forum
     
    		  
    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!
     

    Courtney Kiley

    Ecology, Foundations of Science (FOS), Forum
     
    		 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.
     

    George Lancaster

    Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security,  Programming
     
    		 George Lancaster George joined Community in 2016 following 13 years in a neighboring district. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he spent the next ten years as a design and project engineer of automotive safety products, primarily steering wheels and airbags. He then returned to school to earn a teaching certificate and loves sharing his experience in engineering, math, physics, and computer science with everyone at Community High.

     Laurel Landrum

    Spanish, Forum
     
     
    		 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.
     
     

    Robert Lavelanet 

    he/him
    History, Forum

    email: lavelanetr@a2schools.org

     

    		  
    Robert Lavelanet (né Morgan) is a returning teacher to Community High School after a brief hiatus in New York City. He loves writing poetry, playing games, reading 100 Years of Solitude, and baking cookies. He thinks Community is the place. He couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Maybe he's not that imaginative.

    Krystie Linton

    Special Education Teacher Consultant

    email: lintonk@a2schools.org

    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

    Math, Forum
     
    		 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

    she/her
    Foundations of Science (FOS)
     
    		 Marcy McCormick
    I have been teaching science since 2004 and have been at CHS since 2012. I feel privileged to be able to share with my students this incredible collective knowledge we call Science. I teach because I am passionate about science, but more importantly, I am passionate about teaching science. I love being able to get students excited about what they are learning by creating lessons and units that help them understand the world around them. Students need to feel engaged in what they are learning, and the best way to do that is to have them do the science. I look forward to coming to work each and every day because I am inspired by my amazing colleagues and students. When I am not teaching, I enjoy being outdoors, staying active playing Ultimate Frisbee on a club team, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
     
     

    Sue McDonald

    she/her
    Special Education Teacher Consultant
     
    		 Sue McDonald As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. The privilege of teaching at CHS is the icing on the cake! I spent my post-college years in Chicago, earned a masters degree in education, then moved back home to Michigan to raise my family. And though I added another degree at the University of Michigan, I am a loyal Spartan undergrad living in Ann Arbor. In my leisure time, I enjoy participating in outdoor sports, traveling far and wide, and laughing with my friends and family.

    Danelle Mosher

    French,
    Community Resource, Forum
     
     
    		 Danelle Mosher
    I've been teaching French and Forum and monitoring CRs at CHS since 1994, and I 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.
     
     

    Carol Neylon

    Teaching Assistan
     
    		  

     

    Jen Niner

    American Sign Language (ASL)
     
     
    		  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.

     

    Lynn Perry

    Special Education Teacher Consultant
     
    		    

    Beth Portincasa

    Visual Arts
     
     
     
    		 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.

    Luciana Qu

    Math
     
    		    

    Katie Richardson

    Special Education Teacher Consultant
     
     
    		 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.
     
     

    Jesse Richmond

    Math

    email: richmondj@a2schools.org

    		  
     

    Chloë Root

    they/she
    Government, Gender Studies, Model UN, U.S. History, Mock Trial,
    Forum
     

     

    		 Chloe Root and Riolu

    I have been teaching in AAPS since 2010 and I am so lucky to be here. I have been at Community full time since 2012, but we go way back. Our previous adventures together include my being a high school student (Class of '02!), a student teacher (2008-09), and a part-time teacher (2011-12). I teach US History, Government, Model UN, Gender Studies, Mock Trial (8-time State Champs!), and my beloved and hilarious 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 partner & sweet dog, Riolu, and am grateful to have my family in town.

     

    Jeri Schneider

    she/they
    School Librarian, School Website Manager
     
     
    		 Jeri Schneider
    Jeri's 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 degree in history, a Master of Science of Information, and teaching certification from U of M. She manages the library, promotes reading, helps troubleshoot technology issues, teaches information and research skills, and manages the school website. 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: "Work hard, play hard, sleep hard!"

    Kristi Shaffer

    Spanish
     

     

    		    

    Ryan Silvester

    History, Economics, Forum
     
    		 Ryan Silvester Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Ryan has been teaching at Community since 2018. He teaches US and World History and an elective on the History of the 1960s. After graduating from Huron High School, he received his Bachelor's and Master's from the University of Michigan. Outside of school, Ryan loves reading, running, cheering on UofM sports teams, and exploring the hidden gems of Ann Arbor. He is excited to be back for a new year of learning and teaching at CHS!

    Kevin Starkey

    he/him/his
    Physical Education

    email: starkeyk@a2schools.org

    		 Kevin Starkey I am from Petoskey, MI, and I am a University of Michigan alum. I spent my first eight years teaching in northern Michigan and finally got the opportunity to come back to Ann Arbor. I am a sports nut and love watching the Wolverines and all Detroit sports teams. I love to golf anytime I possibly can, and have the goal of playing in all 50 states eventually. I am loving my time in Ann Arbor as a fitness teacher at Community High.

    Meghan Stelzer

    School Nurse
     
    		    

    Elizabeth Stern

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

     Michael Strugala

    Teaching Assistant
     
    		 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!

    Carl Taylor

    Daytime Custodian

    		    

     Kim Tehranipour

    Teaching Assistant
     
    		    

    Mike Vial

    he/him
    English Language Arts, Drama, Forum
     
    		 Mike Vial Mike Vial has been teaching Language Arts for 20 years, all over Michigan, after graduating from Western Michigan University in 2003. He has performed as a professional songwriter and published as a poet. Mike currently teaches World Literature, Intro to Literature, drama classes, and Forum.

     

    Jack Wagner

    Jazz
     
     

     
    		 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.
     

    Jessika Whiteside

    she/her/ella
    English Language Arts, Forum
     
    		 Jessika Whiteside I joined CHS in 2020 after spending over 15 years teaching English and Spanish in Romulus. Although I was born in New York, I grew up in Oakland County and fell in love with Ann Arbor during undergrad. I have a master’s degree in Social Foundations from Eastern Michigan, as well as a master’s degree in TESOL from Madonna University. I love to travel and go on adventures with my three sons (13, 9, and 5) and my husband, whom I have known since middle school. I adore all forms of coffee, the color cerulean, reading, being a hockey mom, and leaving ducks on other Jeeps. You can always find me reading or thinking about books (check out what I’ve read here: StoryGraph).

    Brian Williams

    School Counselor
     
     
    		 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.
     

    Emily Wilson-Tobin

    she/her
    Community Ensemble Theatre (CET) Program Director
     
    		 Emily Wilson-Tobin

    Emily was born and raised in Ann Arbor. She spent her undergrad years studying theatre and French at Wesleyan University in Connecticut before working for several years in the Metro DC area. Pursuing an MFA in Applied Drama/Theatre for the Young at Eastern Michigan University brought her home and, after graduating and a brief stint working for the CRLT Theatre Program at U of M, she spent over a decade as theatre director at Greenhills School (also her alma mater). Emily directed for CET just after finishing grad school and is delighted to be back working in a program and a school that she has admired for many years. She lives in Ann Arbor with her husband, two children, and too many pets. In addition to her love for theatre, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching scary movies, and visiting the Leelanau Peninsula.

     

    Olivia Wylie

    Spanish

    email: wylieo@a2schools.org

     

    		 Olivia Wylie I was born in southwest Detroit, am Hispanic, and have taught for 40 years. I like painting, poetry, and tennis. I raise service dogs for Paws with a Cause and am very devoted to working with community services for low-income and other marginalized people. It is an honor to be an AAPS teacher.

    Michelle Yager

    Math, Community Resource, Forum

    email: yagerm@a2schools.org

    		 Michelle Yager Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michelle has been teaching at Community since 2021. After graduating from Huron High School, she received her Bachelor's and Master's from the University of Michigan, and went back to UofM to earn her Master of Arts with Secondary Teacher Certification in English and Math. She teaches Algebra 1 and Math Support, as well as monitors the Math and Science CRs in the Community Resource Department. She is passionate about student learning and believes every student can "do" math, no matter their current level of understanding. Outside of school, Michelle loves to read on her Kindle and play with her two children, and she enjoys exploring the evolving downtown area with her husband.