MEET OUR INCREDIBLE STAFF

GARY STUTZMAN: Band Director / CAO / Director of Development

Gary Stutzman was born and raised in Charlevoix. he graduated from Charlevoix High School and received his Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from Northern Michigan University.

His first teaching job was at Flint Northern High School where he directed the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and was the director of the orchestra for two musicals. He then became the assistant Director of Bands for the Charlevoix Public Schools along with his mentor and former teacher C.A. Odmark. While working as the assistant director of bands, he also became the head Track & Field coach for the Charlevoix Rayders. After six years as the assistant to Mr. Odmark, Gary took on the position of Director of Bands at CHS. The Charlevoix Bands had a rich tradition and a history of high honors for all aspects of their program. In the fall of 1979, an opportunity in professional fundraising presented itself and Gary took the opportunity to move west to Colorado and start up a brand new territory in schools across southeast Colorado. The sales position took Gary to hundreds of schools throughout southeastern Colorado and then after six years, the company relocated him back to Michigan.

While he lived in Grand Haven, Gary found that schools in Northern Michigan seemed to hunger more for the type of programs he offered so he found himself working more in Northern Michigan and eventually a job in Harbor Springs for his wife brought the couple full circle back to Northern Michigan.

After ten years in the fundraising industry, Gary was looking to get back into the teaching rands when a member of the board of Northwest Academy called and asked if he would be interested in teaching again. That is all it took and the rest is history.

The Northwest Academy bands are regarded as some of the finest small bands to grace the stage in Northern Michigan. The bands have traveled to England, Colorado, and throughout the midwest. The NWA Jazz Band is hired on a regular basis to perform at private parties, weddings, concerts and benefits of all kinds. For the past ten years, several individual band members have qualified for State Solo & Ensemble Competition and the large groups have qualified for seven years for the State Band and Orchestra Festival.

In fall 2006, Gary took on Co-Administrative duties at NWA and this past summer was named by the board of directors as Chief Administrative Officer and School Leader.

There are many new and exciting things taking place at NWA as we continue to grow and begin to work on our long range goals and plans for the next five years. Our staff is eager to serve the youth of our communities and our small size and our personal commitment to each student's needs, keeps our bar raised high.

back to the top

JOHN BAILEY:  School Leader

Mr. Bailey grew up in South Haven, Michigan.  He attended school and graduated from South Haven High School in 1968.  He was active in choir, band, school government, drama, football, baseball, and basketball.  His senior year John captained the football team, was winner of the All-Sports Award and sang in the Michigan All-State Choir.  John then moved on to college and earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Central Michigan University and has since earned a master’s degree in School Administration from the University of Michigan.

In addition to Mr. Bailey’s experience in education, he is a certified sea kayak guide and instructor.  Mr. Bailey and his wife run a summer business in Greece guiding sea kayak trips.  His other hobbies are folk music, woodworking, boat building, and sailing.  In addition to business trips, Mr. Bailey has traveled extensively in Europe, Canada and the United States.

Mr. Bailey’s first teaching experience was at Kenowa Hills Middle School in the Grand Rapids area.  This was followed by 4 years at Fruitport High School and 11 years at Coldwater High School.  His choirs placed in the State Finals competition, won many 1st Division awards at state and district level, and won the prestigious Gold Medal at the Festival of Nations in Washington, D.C.  Mr. Bailey also directed all-school variety shows and all-school musicals.

Mr. Bailey accepted the position of high school principal at Johannesburg-Lewiston High School in 1988 and served in that capacity for 16 years.  He retired in 2004 and took a part-time music position at Concord Academy Antrim.  After 2 years of part-time work, Mr. Bailey took a year off from education to pursue his hobby of woodworking and boatbuilding.  It soon became apparent to him that he missed the daily contact with the education community and began to look for a position that would be a challenge while being rewarding.  He was drawn to Northwest Academy for its outstanding music program, its academic atmosphere and the community of involved  students, parents and staff.

Northwest Academy has proven to be a positive experience for Mr. Bailey and certainly has been challenging and rewarding.  He looks forward to being a part of Northwest’s Academy future progress and success.

back to the top

CINDY ROMERO: Student Liaison & Spanish Teacher

Cindy Romero was born and raised in Charlevoix County. She graduated from East Jordan High School. She has a bachelor's degree with a major in Spanish and a minor in art, as well as a Master's degree in Administration from Grand Valley State University. Cindy also had the opportunity to live in Mexico and attend the Universidad de las Americas, studying Spanish and Art.

Cindy taught high school Spanish in Harbor Springs for two years before joining Northwest Academy as Spanish and Art teacher for six years and for the last three years in administrative work.

During summer vacation, Cindy likes to sail on Lake Charlevoix. You can find her on her Catalina 22.

back to the top

MICHELLE UTLEY: Middle Elementary Teacher

Michelle graduated from Grand Valley State University with an Elementary Certificate in Language Arts. She has a Master's Degree in Early Elementary, with a Reading Emphasis and a ZA. Michelle is working on a special education certificate in Early Childhood Developmentally Delayed and Cognitive Impaired endorsement. In her classes, she incorporates "hands on" activities to enhance the learning process of her students.  In previous years, her classes have made bread, a Depression Soup Kitchen, made bird houses, quilts, and have taken many field trips to expand their Social Studies and Science units. Michelle welcomes parents to be a part of her classroom, aware of the fact that it takes parents, teachers and the community to raise a child. Michelle is a mother of four: Jeremiah 10, Christopher 21, Seth 23, and Muriel 26. Muriel has a daughter, Adrianna 3. Michelle loves to quilt, read, ski, cook and bake.

back to the top

PHOEBE GOHS: Early Elementary Teacher

Phoebe graduated from Spring Arbor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree, and is currently enrolled in CMU's Master of Arts in Reading and Literacy K-12 program.

Her early elementary program is designed to focus on individual children. Students are active participants in their education, and are encouraged to explore ideas and concepts through guided, hands-on lessons. Our literacy program includes skills-based practice and a whole language approach to literacy development. We build on prior experience to engage students in literacy activities throughout the curriculum.

back to the top

MATT SAUNDERS: Upper Elementary Teacher

[Biography coming soon...]

back to the top

SUE KISSINGER: School To Work Coordinator & Resource Teacher

Sue has a Bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a Master's degree from the University of Michigan and has taught for many, many years. The last nine have been at Northwest Academy. She and her husband, an architect, live nearby in Norwood Township. All four of their children are grown, have married and have blessed them with seven grandchildren. All that experience, her listening ability and her patience are personal strengths that help her in her job. She loves to see the untapped potential in her students blossom as they grow in confidence. She works with the children K-12 and enjoys each and every student.

back to the top

KRIS RASMUSSEN: English Teacher

Kris Rasmussen graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Humanities and Masters degree from Ferris State University in Education. She was born and raised in northern Michigan and this will be her third year teaching at Northwest Academy. In addition to devoting her time to teaching, she is a published playwright, author, and freelance journalist.

back to the top

SHELLY BRYA: Science Teacher

"There is no better place for me than Northwest Academy," is what Shelly Brya said last fall when she accepted her first teaching position and she truly believes there is no better place for your child to learn and grow!

She has been a resident of Northern Michigan for 12 years and currently lives in Charlevoix with her husband, Denny, 3 year old daughter, Lily, and their pets.

Shelly and Denny will be parents for a second time this fall when they welcome their son Hayden home from Guatemala.

Her love of science took her from a 10+ year career in Public Health back to Ferris State University to complete her teaching certificate. Her teaching major is Biology and her minor is General Science.

Northwest Academy is proud to offer the following courses based on the most current high school content expectations mandated by the Michigan Department of Education: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Health Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Anatomy & Physiology, and Michigan Environmental Science.

Shelly is very excited about the 2007-2008 school year and welcomes you and your child to the Northwest Academy family!

back to the top

DON NEIDERT: Music Teacher

Don Neidert graduated from Central Michigan University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He has taught music for 29 years at all grade levels in public schools in Michigan, including Caseville, Davison, Port Huron, East Jordan, and Charlevoix St. Mary's. All three of his Orff-Skulwek certification classes were completed through Western Michigan University. He has also done various movement workshops through High Scope Foundation and at Beaver Island.

Don has been director of music/organist for three local area churches. He is also the music director for the Spring Musical each year in East Jordn. He also plays professionally in the summer for the Belvedere Club and Chicago Club.

Don has worked during the 2002-2005 school years with Northwest Acadment. He assisted with solo and ensemble events and substituted for various teachers. He is truly excited to be working in an environment where he can utilize his Orff-Skulwerk background and working with elementary school children. He embraces the charter school concept and thinks it is especially effective using the performing arts as a basis for the curriculum.

Orff-Skulwerk is named after the 20th century German composer Carl Orff and the Skulwerk is German for school work. It incorporates children's games, various percussion instruments, Solfege, and a large emphasis on movement. It is very child-centered, with children often accompanying themselves in their singing.

back to the top